University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This PhD is structured around original research leading to a doctoral dissertation, supported by a programme of advanced coursework and skills training. Core areas of study typically include infectious disease epidemiology, parasitology and vector-borne disease biology, molecular diagnostics and microbiology, environmental and occupational hygiene, immunology, biostatistics and research methods, and applied public health practice in tropical settings.

Students combine didactic coursework with laboratory and field research. Typical modules and activities include:

• Advanced infectious disease epidemiology and study design
• Molecular techniques for pathogen detection and genomics
• Parasitology and vector biology, including entomology where relevant
• Environmental and occupational hygiene principles and exposure assessment
• Biostatistics, statistical programming and spatial analysis for disease mapping
• Health systems, policy and implementation science in low-resource and island contexts
• Advanced seminar series, grant-writing workshops and ethical conduct of research
• Fieldwork placements in Pacific Island or tropical communities and collaborative projects with public health agencies

The programme normally requires completion of prescribed coursework, passing a qualifying or comprehensive examination, and successful defence of a research proposal before undertaking the dissertation. Regular departmental seminars, teaching or mentoring responsibilities and publication of research are expected components of doctoral training.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant postgraduate degree (such as an MD, MPH, MSc or equivalent) in a health, biological or environmental science discipline. Strong candidates demonstrate prior research experience in infectious disease, microbiology, epidemiology, tropical medicine or a closely related area, and the ability to undertake independent research.

Typical application components include:

• A strong academic transcript from previous degree(s)
• A statement of research interests that aligns with faculty expertise
• Curriculum vitae detailing research experience and technical skills
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees
• Evidence of proficiency in English if the applicant’s first language is not English

Applicants are advised to identify potential faculty supervisors before applying; entry is competitive and depends on the availability of supervisory capacity and funding. Specific prerequisite coursework or clinical qualifications may be required depending on the chosen research topic.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly pursue research and leadership roles across academic, governmental and non-governmental sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Academic positions in universities and teaching hospitals, leading independent research programmes
• Public health roles with national ministries of health, regional public health laboratories and disease control programmes
• Positions with international agencies and NGOs focused on tropical disease control, outbreak response and global health policy
• Clinical research and trial management in hospitals, contract research organisations and pharmaceutical or diagnostics companies
• Consultancy in environmental health, One Health initiatives, and programme implementation for low-resource and island settings

Training emphasizes transferable skills — grant writing, project management, data analysis, and fieldwork — that support careers in research management, policy advisory roles and multidisciplinary tropical health programmes.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaii at Manoa hosts the John A. Burns School of Medicine and associated research units with longstanding expertise in Pacific and tropical health. The university’s geographic location in Hawai‘i provides distinctive access to Pacific Island communities, endemic disease ecologies and regional public health partnerships, enabling field-based research that informs real-world control strategies.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across microbiology, epidemiology, environmental health and clinical departments, access to laboratory and field resources for molecular and entomological work, and partnerships with state and regional public health agencies. The multicultural campus and strong regional networks make it a strategic base for researchers aiming to address health challenges in tropical and island contexts.