Department Overview

The Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health (GDEH) examines the interface between human health and the environment across a molecular to planetary scales. The GDEH offers three MPH programs: MPH in Environmental Health, MPH in Global Environmental Health and MPH in Environmental Health and Epidemiology. Students will learn to examine health effects associated with chemical, physical, and microbial exposures across multiple environmental media. Many disciplines contribute to recognizing, assessing, and controlling environmental risks, ranging from epidemiology to toxicology, from microbiology to engineering, from exposure science to medicine, from biostatistics to machine learning, and from policy analysis to economics.  

At Rollins, environmental health education reaches beyond the classroom. Students engage with faculty and community members to actively learn from locally run non-profits, governmental agencies, and multi-national research projects. Our faculty’s diverse expertise is reflected in their teaching and research in: air pollution, climate change, infectious disease ecology, ecological and land use changes, pesticides and other chemicals, endocrine disruption, gene-environment interactions/epigenetics/environmental “–omics”, children’s environmental health, health interventions, policy, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).  

Through required coursework, real world work experiences for the Applied Practice Experience (APE), and a final Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) project, the MPH programs equip students with the skills to tackle the environmental health challenges of the future. In addition, Atlanta offers an unparalleled selection of opportunities in environmental health.  

The Rollins School of Public Health is thrilled to announce that as of Feburary 2020, the Department of Environmental Health will now be named the Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, honoring the leadership and philanthropy of Eugene J. Gangarosa, MD, MS, FACP, and his wife Rose. To read more about the Gangarosas and their tremendous impact on the world of environmental health and beyond, visit the Rollins News Center

Program Offerings

Students interested in studying the complex relationships between environmental factors and human health will find a fit in the master of public health (MPH) degree program in environmental health.

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Students in Rollins’ global environmental health master of public health (MPH) degree program focus on issues that impact health in the world’s poorest societies. 

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Rollins’ master of public health (MPH) degree program in environmental health and epidemiology provides a strong foundation in analytical epidemiology, biostatistics, and occupational and environmental health. 

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Emory College and Rollins jointly offer a five-year bachelor of science (BS) in environmental sciences and a master of public health (MPH) in environmental health degree program. Through this program, students can earn both a BS and an MPH in five years.

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The PhD in environmental health sciences (EHS) is offered through Emory’s Laney Graduate School, and provides students with in-depth training in both laboratory and population-based research.

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Courses

As a graduate student in environmental health, you’ll take courses that examine health issues, the scientific understanding of causes, and possible future strategies to control major environmental health problems in both industrialized and developing countries. Topics addressed in our courses range from the molecular to the global, and tackle such issues as pesticide, air pollution, water pollution, heavy metals, solvents, persistent organic pollutants, urban sprawl, global climate change, and more.

ADAP, Ariadne Swichtenberg

The associate director of academic programs (ADAP), Ariadne Swichtenberg, can assist with course-related questions. 
Office: CNR 7051, Phone: 404-727-7905, Email: ascarl@emory.edu

Faculty

Our department benefits from a multidisciplinary graduate faculty and large adjunct faculty. Our core faculty have backgrounds in diverse areas such as medicine, toxicology, law, epidemiology, and chemistry.

Our adjunct faculty includes scientists at the CDC's Center for Environmental Health, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, as well as various other public health experts from nearby universities and the private sector.

Research

The Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health benefits from the richness, breadth, and academic excellence of other schools and departments across Emory University as well as partnerships with various centers, and external organizations and universities. This allows for a deeper, more exciting, and enriching opportunity to study, learn, and practice environmental health. 
 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

The Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee (GDEH DEI-SC) was formed in August 2020 with the purpose of creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all department members can thrive.