The Eck Institute for Global Health, an interdisciplinary institute within Notre Dame Research that is focused on addressing health disparities around the world, has named Elizabeth Wood, associate professor of the practice, director of its Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH) program.
“I am excited to join the Eck Institute for Global Health," Wood says. "It is a long-standing global leader in vector biology and infectious disease research. More importantly, it recognizes health as a fundamental human right and empowers our students to advance health standards for all people. We hope to create leaders in interdisciplinary research who can grapple with all of the factors that affect fluid, vulnerable populations."
As a two-year program, the Master of Science in Global Health assembles small, close-knit graduate student cohorts from across the world. The program matches students with a mentoring network, and each student’s experience culminates in a fully-funded capstone field research project.
Wood will work to expand the Master of Science in Global Health. “The Eck Institute has distinguished faculty and world-class research,” Wood explains. “Our expanded curriculum will leverage Notre Dame’s strengths in new ways. It will give students more opportunities to hone skills and knowledge through various interdisciplinary methods and practices in the very setting where global health challenges persist.”
Professor Wood received her undergraduate degree in religion and her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Florida. She then received a global health certificate as well as her Doctor of Health Science in Global Health from Nova Southeastern University. As part of her doctoral work, she studied hand hygiene among medical professionals in Haiti.
Formerly a clinical assistant professor and director of public health outreach and alumni engagement at the University of Florida's College of Public Health & Health Professions, she brings extensive international experience to the Eck Institute. She developed the University of Florida’s first undergraduate study abroad program in Haiti. In Mlolongo, Kenya, she provided care and support for women and children struggling with the effects of HIV. She has also studied how gender-based violence affects life for women in rural Tajikistan.
"Professor Wood brings with her a reputation as a stellar teacher who has engaged students in research collaborations on three different continents,” says Dr. Bernard Nahlen, a professor of biological sciences and the director of the Eck Institute. “We are very fortunate to have her join us. Her leadership of the expanded MSGH program will provide the next generation of global health leaders with the skills and experience they will need to face a new era of challenges and opportunities. We would also like to thank Heidi Beidinger-Burnett, associate professor of the practice in the Department of Biological Sciences, who, as acting director during this time of transition, played such a crucial role as we developed and prepared to launch the new MSGH program."
Wood has received numerous honors as a teacher and a scholar. The University of Florida's College of Public Health & Health Professions has named her Teacher of the Year, International Educator of the Year and Leadership & Service Advocate of the Year. A former affiliate faculty member with Florida’s Center for Gender, Sexualities and Women’s Studies departments, she has published scholarly work in Violence Against Women, PloS One, Food & Nutrition Research, the Journal of International Humanitarian Action and others.
To find out more about the Master of Science in Global Health program, please visit https://globalhealth.nd.edu/education-training/masters/.
Contact:
Brett Beasley / Writer and Editorial Program Manager
Notre Dame Research / University of Notre Dame
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research.nd.edu / @UNDResearch
About Notre Dame Research:
The University of Notre Dame is a private research and teaching university inspired by its Catholic mission. Located in South Bend, Indiana, its researchers are advancing human understanding through research, scholarship, education, and creative endeavor in order to be a repository for knowledge and a powerful means for doing good in the world. For more information, please see research.nd.edu or @UNDResearch.
Originally published by at globalhealth.nd.edu on July 15, 2022.