News Article
November 3, 2009
DGHI’s Master of Science in Global Health focuses on research to improve health around the world
It’s one of only a few in the nation, and it has attracted students from as far away as Asia and Africa. The Duke Global Health Institute’s Master of Science in global health (MSc-GH) program, which launched this year, has wide appeal for those who want to affect the health of entire populations.
“Both DGHI and the MSc-GH program were designed to respond to the students who have asked for increased global health educational opportunities,” said Chris Woods, associate professor of medicine, who leads the master’s program. “We’ve done our best to meet those needs and develop a program that will prepare students for a career in global health work and research.”
For Jiani Sun, who believes it is her civic responsibility to improve health in her home country of China, the master’s program in global health was a perfect fit. Sun graduated from China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing earlier this year with a degree in pharmaceutics, and was unsure of her next step. She stumbled upon a video on DGHI’s website that she said changed her life.
“President Brodhead’s comments in the video impressed upon me quite a bit. He said global health connects people from all over the world to deal with health problems, and give back to society,” said Sun. “That was the moment I decided to apply to Duke.”
The master’s program offers students, like Sun, a broader understanding of the causes of and solutions for health problems through a multi-disciplinary lens. As a result, the inaugural class incorporates a mix of students, researchers, clinicians and professionals from multiple disciplines, ranging from business and environmental science to medicine, law and public policy. “This is great,” said master’s student Genevieve Wolpert, “it brings a variety of opinions and experiences to the table in our class discussions.”
Wolpert chose the program because of its novel approach to global health and its focus on research. She also plans to apply to medical school next year, and said it was important for her to find a program that could accommodate her plans and incorporate research.
“I like the idea of helping people and reducing disparities, but by incorporating a research element, I think it’s possible to reach a broader population beyond the patients I would see in a clinic,” said Wolpert, who is interested in learning about infectious diseases among children and the increasing burden of chronic diseases in poor and wealthy nations. “This program will give me the research tools I need to be able to continue doing research that’s interesting and useful to the people I’m helping.”
This fall, master’s students are enrolled in two research methodology courses that will help them learn the fundamentals of designing and carrying out a project of their own. “This is a true research degree, and I’m very pleased with the rigor of our courses this year,” said Woods. The 32-unit curriculum includes a field experience of their choice to apply learned research methods. “This gives our students the freedom to ask the questions and pursue the questions they want. That’s one of the reasons why students are choosing to come to us.”
Sun, who has already identified her research project for the program, is excited for what’s to come. She will study the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in China, with an intervention that focuses on prevention and education. “I have to do something for my country and for my people to improve their health status. After I chose Duke and DGHI, and realized I could do something about CVD, which is very serious in China, it really lit up my life,” said Sun, beaming from ear to ear. “I have found something that’s really meaningful, not only for myself, but for the world.”
Sun is still adapting to life in the U.S., but said the knowledge she’s gaining in class is the anchor of support that keeps her moving forward.
** The MSc-GH program is currently recruiting students, clinicians and professionals for the class that begins in Fall 2010. Learn more about the program and how to apply. **