Message from Karen Edwards, Director

Greetings from Seattle and the Institute for Public Health Genetics (IPHG) at the University of Washington! As the Director of the IPHG, I look forward to this upcoming academic year, which brings many exciting changes and opportunities for our program.

As many of you know, the UW School of Public Health recently completed a strategic plan that will chart the course for the School over the next ten years. We are proud that the accomplishments of the IPHG were recognized in this plan, and more importantly, that Genomics and Public Health has been identified as one of six key areas for growth. As a first step in implementing this plan, the IPHG has relocated to new space located on the main UW campus. This new, larger space provides offices for IPHG faculty, staff and a new lounge and study area for our students. Our new location in Raitt Hall, located centrally on the quad (campus map), highlights the multidisciplinary nature of our program and will facilitate new partnerships across campus.

This move will also facilitate our expansion into undergraduate education, including participation in the new undergraduate degree in Public Health. We are all excited about this new endeavor and will be offering our first undergraduate course starting winter quarter 2012, entitled "Public Health Genomics: Implications for the modern world" (syllabus) that will be team taught by our multidisciplinary faculty. We plan to add additional undergraduate offerings in the future, even as we continue to nurture and sustain our vibrant Masters, PhD and Certificate Programs.

Finally, we are also planning a special event for International DNA Day that will be held April 20, 2012 that also coincides with HuskyFest 2012 - a celebration of 150 years of accomplishment at the UW, and a look towards what the future may bring. Genomics and Public Health will clearly be a part of this future!

This is an exciting time at the IPHG and I believe that you will be impressed by the depth and breadth of our training, research and other activities. The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of our program are committed to continuing excellence and leadership in the field of public health genetics. We invite you to take a closer look at our innovative multidisciplinary program and to consider joining us as we launch the next phase of our program. Please browse our website or contact us to learn more about the Institute for Public Health Genetics and the degree programs we offer.