PhD Research Opportunities
As an R1 Institution, WVU is a top-tier institution for doctoral research, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Our public health faculty engage in a spectrum of research areas, including prevention programs, health services, infectious diseases, substance use, injury epidemiology, interventions, mental health, social determinants of health, health behaviors, cardiovascular disease, maternal-child health, and more. Specific research interests, recent publications, ongoing research projects, and available opportunities for doctoral students to join a faculty’s lab or research group can be found on individual faculty web pages using our Research Experts Database.
Through research rotations during their first year of study, students gain experience across faculty interests and projects. In addition to working with faculty on their research projects, students also have an opportunity to submit their own proposals for funding. This collaborative effort and supportive environment typically result in students presenting research at national or international conferences and peer-reviewed publications early in their career.
Potential areas of focus
- Doctoral students focusing on epidemiological research can study an array of topics, including chronic disease, injury and trauma, infectious disease, health disparities, substance use, maternal-child health, physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors, and occupational health.
- Students studying social and behavioral science may focus on a number of health-related topics, including maternal, child, and adolescent health, nutrition, disease and injury prevention, interventions, social determinants of health, mental health, and disease prevention and health promotion.