Phd Program

Receiving your PhD at The Ohio State College of Public Health •A DEGREE OF DISTINCTION• A PhD in public health requires a significant program of study and research that qualifies the recipient to work independently and contribute to the advancement of the field of knowledge.

The emphasis is on mastery of the field and particularly on the acquisition of research skills as a basis for original work. Our graduates go on to be active professionals within public health as faculty, organizational leaders and industry pioneers.

•RESEARCH WITH IMPACT• The Ohio State University is in the highest tier of public research universities as a top 20 research institution in the U.S. Along with education and service, research is a vital part of our mission at the College of Public Health. Research funding at the college more than doubled within the past 10 years and our faculty are presently responsible for over $7 million in funded research projects. As a student, you will engage with faculty in innovative, interdisciplinary research that will help you better understand the forces that affect public health and generate knowledge that will improve the health of the people of Ohio, the nation and the world.

•AN ENGAGED COMMUNITY• The College of Public Health is home to a diverse and dynamic population of students, researchers and professionals. As a member of this community, you will engage in dialogues that address our nation’s greatest health challenges. The college welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds to enrich this discussion towards collaborative, meaningful solutions.

•FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES• Doctoral applicants receive preference in selection consideration for university and college funding. Many students are able to fund their education via fellowships, assistantships and other aid. To receive the greatest consideration, students should apply no later than the posted priority deadline.

Robert Ashmead, PhD ‘15

Ashmead works for the Center for Statistical Research and Methodology where he conducts research for the Census Bureau’s data collection, analysis and dissemination programs.

“My graduate education at the College of Public Health was excellent preparation for my position at the US Census Bureau,” said Ashmead. “Thanks to a wonderful experience with my advisor, I learned a great deal during the dissertation process about how to conduct original statistical research.” Ashmead is a recipient of The Health Policy Statistics Section of the American Statistical Association Student Paper Competition.

Jin Peng, MS ‘13, PhD Candidate

Peng is a current PhD student interested in improving pediatric trauma outcomes and reducing disparities in access to health services among pediatric patients. She works as a research assistant at the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“My training in Biostatistics at the College of Public Health prepared me to pursue a PhD in Epidemiology,” said Jin. “Thanks to my advisors, I have been given a variety of opportunities to gain research experience and leadership skills.”

Deena Chisolm, PhD ‘03

“As the first PhD graduate of the Health Services Management and Policy program, I enjoyed the opportunity to engage in crafting a program that linked my interests in healthcare quality, disparities and outcomes measurement,” said Chisolm who is the principal investigator in the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, holds a joint associate professor of pediatrics position with The Ohio State University’s Colleges of Medicine and Public Health and is the principal investigator in the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “I use the skills I developed in the PhD program while conducting research to improve health and healthcare for at-risk youths.”

Tyler Gorham, MPH, PhD Candidate

Gorham is a PhD student in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences working with Dr. Jiyoung Lee. The main theme of his research is microbial water quality as it relates to human health. His current research projects study the public health impacts of harmful algal blooms in Ohio and enteric pathogens in Far North, Cameroon. “Regarding its size, the College of Public Health is truly the best of both worlds,” said Gorham. “Working in Dr. Lee’s lab, I entered into a family-like atmosphere of productive researchers but at the same time have before me the inexhaustible resources of the research environment at Ohio State. I could not be happier with my decision to become a Buckeye.”

Kendall Leser, PhD Candidate

As a PhD candidate in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, Leser works as a health and disability/public health law program analyst at The National Association of County and City Health Officials where she promotes the inclusion and engagement of people with disabilities in all local health department activities. “During my time in graduate school, I was fortunate enough to be a graduate research assistant on a federally funded research project, which enhanced my research skills and gave me a better understanding of public health in action” said Leser. “I found my doctoral program to be challenging, but worth it. The mentorship that I received from my advisor has been a key strength of the program.”