University of Texas at San Antonio

What you'll study

The programme is research-focused and combines advanced coursework with an extended original research project leading to a doctoral dissertation. Core study areas typically include infectious disease biology, epidemiology, disease surveillance, vector biology, immunology, diagnostics, global health policy, and biostatistics. Students also engage with laboratory- and field-based methods relevant to tropical medicine, such as pathogen culture and molecular detection, seroepidemiology, entomological sampling, and community-based study designs.

Typical elements of the degree include:

• Advanced coursework in topics such as infectious disease epidemiology, statistical methods for epidemiology, host–pathogen interactions, and health systems in low-resource settings.
• Research rotations or initial supervised projects to help students identify a dissertation topic and research mentor.
• Qualifying examinations (written and/or oral) to confirm readiness to proceed to doctoral research.
• Original dissertation research under the supervision of one or more faculty members, with emphasis on generating publishable results and contributing to understanding or control of tropical and neglected diseases.
• Seminars and professional development covering grant writing, scientific communication, ethics in human research, and translational pathways from research to policy or practice.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree with honours or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as biomedical sciences, public health, epidemiology, microbiology, or related fields. Strong candidates demonstrate prior research experience (for example, research assistantships, publications, or a thesis), a solid grounding in quantitative methods, and clear research interests that align with faculty expertise.

Application materials commonly required include a CV, academic transcripts, a statement of research interests, contact details for academic references, and a writing sample or thesis excerpt where available. International applicants will need to meet English language requirements as set by the university. Some applicants may be invited for an interview with potential supervisors to discuss fit and research plans.

Career prospects

Graduates of this PhD programme move into a range of careers across academia, public health practice, industry and the non-profit sector. Typical roles include:

• Research scientist or principal investigator in universities and research institutes focusing on infectious diseases and tropical health.
• Public health epidemiologist, surveillance specialist or programme manager within government public health agencies, international health organisations and NGOs.
• Clinical and translational research roles in partnerships with healthcare providers and clinical research units.
• Positions in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies working on diagnostics, vaccines or therapeutics for neglected and emerging diseases.
• Policy adviser or consultant on global health, disease control strategy, and health systems strengthening.

Why study at University of Texas at San Antonio

Studying at UTSA offers access to an interdisciplinary research environment with faculty working across infectious disease biology, epidemiology, and public health. The university’s location provides strong opportunities for collaborative work with regional clinical partners, public health agencies and community organisations, enabling translational and field-based research relevant to border and tropical health challenges.

Students benefit from modern laboratory facilities, core research resources and professional development programmes designed to support grant writing, teaching and career advancement. The PhD experience emphasises mentorship, collaborative projects and applied research that prepares graduates to address complex global health problems in academic, clinical and policy settings.