Research at the O'Donnell School of Public Health
Research at the O’Donnell School of Public Health (OSPH) is essential to achieving our mission of creating excellence for impact. We discover and disseminate new methodologies and scientific knowledge to inform health care delivery and enhance community health.
Our Goals
- Promote science and evidence-based decision making
- Monitor and improve health at all levels
- Foster innovation
- Inform and equip a diverse and inclusive public health workforce
Through our affiliations with communities and large clinical teaching hospitals and health systems, we enable groundbreaking health care delivery research and implementation science
Our faculty expertise spans diverse fields including implementation science, community health, behavioral sciences, biostatistics, bioinformatics, health economics, epidemiology, and geospatial information science.
Our Research Programs
Our Research Programs are at the forefront of scientific inquiry and innovation, addressing critical issues in health and medicine. From Advanced Implementation & Improvement Science to Data Sciences for Precision Health and Pediatric Population Health Sciences, our programs are designed to push the boundaries of knowledge and translate research into real-world applications. By integrating cutting-edge methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches, we strive to improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of care globally. Explore our diverse programs to discover the impactful work being done and find out how you can contribute to our mission of advancing health and science.
Assuring Implementation and Improvement Science
With congressional-directed funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), this program facilitates discovery in health services and other research across our affiliated health systems.
Director: George L. Jackson, M.H.A., Ph.D.
Data Sciences for Precision Health
This open research platform promotes development and applications of innovative data science and AI methods for precision health.
Directors: Guanghua (Andy) Xiao, Ph.D., and Yang Xie, Ph.D.
Pediatric Population Health Sciences
Beginning in 2024, this program, which is planned as a partnership of UTSW, the OSPH, and the UTSW/Children’s Health Joint Pediatric Enterprise, will address the overarching needs of children and adolescents in our catchment and beyond.
Additional Public Health Research Focus Areas at UTSW
Vaccinology and Public Health
A cornerstone of public health policy, immunization is highly cost-effective when used to protect the public’s health. UTSW vaccinology efforts focus on achieving a better understanding of protective immunity and developing new vaccines for hard-to-target pathogens, with the goal of controlling disease outbreaks in populations and countries globally.
Director: Saad B. Omer, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., Ph.D.
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Research Program in Population Science and Cancer Control
This program includes faculty from UTSW’s OSPH and School of Medicine who seek to identify and evaluate biomarkers to assess cancer risk, detect it early, and predict progression; identify multilevel factors associated with cancer risks and outcomes; and develop and test interventions to improve implementation of evidence-based cancer prevention and control services. Celette S. Skinner, Ph.D.
Learn more
Our Internship Program
Our internship program exposes students to a diverse range of public health, policy, and economics research topics. This program emphasizes the development of technical, communication, and research skills to prepare participants for careers in research, public health, public policy, and more.
Our Cores
At the heart of our institution's groundbreaking work are our Research Cores, a collection of specialized resources and services designed to support and enhance the research capabilities of our faculty, staff, and students. These cores provide essential expertise, enabling cutting-edge research across various disciplines. Whether it's through biostatistics, data sciences, or research design, our cores are dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in research. Explore our diverse range of services and discover how we can support your research endeavors.
