University of Michigan

What you'll study

The programme is research-led and flexible, allowing students to combine classroom coursework, laboratory or field-based research, and practicum experiences. Core training typically covers advanced epidemiology, biostatistics, infectious disease biology, pathogen ecology, environmental and occupational hygiene, and study design for clinical and population-based research.

• Core methods: advanced epidemiology, causal inference, biostatistics and quantitative methods, research ethics, and study design.
• Infectious disease topics: molecular and cellular pathogen biology, vector biology and entomology, parasite and viral disease ecology, antimicrobial resistance, and diagnostics.
• Hygiene and environmental health: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, exposure assessment, environmental monitoring and risk mitigation strategies.
• Implementation and policy: implementation science, health systems research, surveillance and outbreak response, global health policy and programme evaluation.
• Professional skills: grant writing, scientific communication, teaching practicum, data management, and leadership for multidisciplinary teams.

Programme structure typically includes an initial period of coursework and rotations, a qualifying or comprehensive examination, development and defence of a dissertation proposal, and completion of an independent research dissertation based on original laboratory, clinical or field studies. Students often undertake collaborative projects with clinical departments, the School of Public Health, or international field sites.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant graduate degree (master's, MD, or equivalent) or a strong research-oriented professional degree with substantial quantitative and biological training. Typical prerequisites include prior coursework in biology, epidemiology, or biostatistics and demonstrable research experience in infectious disease, public health, laboratory science or field epidemiology.

• Academic transcripts showing a strong record in relevant subjects.
• Statement of purpose outlining research interests and prospective faculty mentors.
• Curriculum vitae and evidence of research experience (publications, technical reports or practicum summaries).
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees who can attest to research potential.
• Proof of English proficiency where applicable.

Standardised test requirements and specific prerequisites vary by department and prospective advisor; applicants are encouraged to consult the programme admissions guidance and contact potential supervisors to discuss fit and available projects.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to research-intensive and leadership roles across academia, government and the non-profit and private sectors. Common career paths include:

• Academic researcher or faculty positions in infectious disease, global health or environmental health departments.
• Research scientist roles in public health agencies (national ministries of health, CDCs), international organisations (WHO, UNICEF) and global health NGOs.
• Programmatic and policy analyst positions focused on disease control, outbreak response, WASH programmes and health systems strengthening.
• Scientific roles in pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies involved in vaccine, drug and diagnostic development.
• Leadership positions in surveillance, implementation science, and global health consultancy.

Skills developed in this PhD—advanced quantitative analysis, field and laboratory methods, programme evaluation and grant-writing—prepare graduates to lead multidisciplinary teams and to translate research into public health practice.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers strong interdisciplinary capacity across its Medical School and School of Public Health, providing access to leading infectious disease researchers, well-equipped laboratories and established international field collaborations. Students benefit from cross-departmental supervision, methodological cores (biostatistics, genomics, imaging), and opportunities to work with applied public health programmes and global partners.

• Interdisciplinary environment: close links between clinical departments, epidemiology, environmental health sciences and implementation science centres.
• Research infrastructure: laboratory facilities, core services for genomics and data science, and support for field studies and clinical research.
• Global partnerships: collaborations with international research sites and public health agencies that enable field-based research and implementation studies.
• Mentorship and career development: structured mentoring, tuition of grant-writing and teaching experience, and professional development resources for academic and non-academic careers.

Prospective students should explore departmental webpages and contact potential supervisors to identify active research projects and confirm how their interests in hygiene and tropical medicine align with faculty expertise and available resources.