Assessing and Improving Community Health

Dr. Sharon Kardia is the Millicent W. Higgins Collegiate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan. With a master's degree in statistics and a doctoral degree in human genetics from the University of Michigan, she has built a distinguished career in public health and genetic research. Following her education, Dr. Kardia completed a post-doctoral fellowship in systems biology within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology before joining the faculty at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 1998.Dr. Kardia’s research focuses on the genetic epidemiology of chronic diseases, emphasizing gene-environment and gene-gene interactions. She is particularly invested in developing innovative analytical methods to unravel the intricate relationships between genetic variation, environmental influences, and chronic disease risks. Her work integrates genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data from large epidemiological cohorts, contributing to a deeper understanding of health determinants.As an educator, Dr. Kardia teaches courses such as Assessing and Improving Community Health, fostering a practical and comprehensive approach to public health challenges. Her contributions to research and education continue to shape the field of epidemiology, providing critical insights into the prevention and management of chronic diseases.