Training and Education

Modern medical science is increasingly focusing upon the causes, prevention and management of common complex diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Because of the multiple and complex causes of diseases such as CVD, multidisciplinary approaches using a combination of genetic, statistical and epidemiologic methodologies are essential and can potentially lead to an improved understanding of pathogenic mechanisms, and ultimately to better preventive strategies. However, such approaches are still in their infancy and individuals with multidisciplinary backgrounds and relevant skills and experience in biology, epidemiology, statistics, and genetics are rare (even at an international level).

Genetic epidemiologists are playing an increasingly important strategic role in biomedical science. Given the severe shortage of genetic epidemiologists with broad training, both in Australia and internationally, it is critical to train PhD students locally. This is particularly so given that the University of Western Australia has recognized the importance of this discipline by making genetic epidemiology one of eight strategic priority areas for the entire UWA. Therefore, our doctoral and post-doctoral training programs build upon individuals pre-existing statistical and biological knowledge and skills to provide the necessary basis for both an independent research career in genetic epidemiology and a novel and integrated research program investigating the genetic epidemiology of specific diseases.

We offer an unusually integrated applied and methodological training experience; there is bi-directional feedback between both of these research dimensions. It is the expectation of most senior academics currently engaged in genetic epidemiology that genetic epidemiologists will need to have greater knowledge of functional biology in the future and that the marriage of genetic epidemiology with clinical practice and functional biology will be completed with the next generation of researchers. The academic environment in the Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiology is energetic, rigorous, and conducive to multidisciplinary research. The Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiology is in the process of developed a strong interdisciplinary program in genetic epidemiology, and runs a series of meetings, workshops and didactic seminars that staff and students greatly benefit from.

Multidisciplinary researchers will be increasingly critical to the future of biomedical research, and our training ethos is directed towards this end. The combination of basic training in statistics and biology with further strong statistical, epidemiologic and human genetics training should lead to the development of a new class of investigators particularly adept at using the knowledge created by the human genome project to advance clinical investigation. This is an essential targeted need that has been identified in the US by the NIH as critical through 'Research Manpower in the 21st Century' and in more recent statements by the new director of the NIH (Science, 3 October 2003; v302, p63-64).