Human Biology faculty members are unified by their common focus on problems of human biology, despite the challenges presented by the genetic and lifestyle factors that influence disease risk. Faculty also share a conviction that multidisciplinary approaches are essential to achieve better understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human disease. Therefore, the program blends fundamental, applied, and translational research. While research in the program is solidly grounded in high-quality basic research into molecular mechanisms, often performed in model organisms and in vitro systems, Human Biology faculty derive key insights from clinical and population-based research.
The Human Biology Division brings together faculty with expertise in molecular and cell biology, genomics, genetics, virology, infectious disease, computational biology, pathology and clinical research. In other institutions, such a diverse faculty would be distributed among many different departments. In Human Biology, the close interaction of this broad collection of talented and motivated investigators provides unique opportunities for synergistic collaborations. The division is comprised of 23 faculty members who are training 90 postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Each faculty member is independent, and the division follows an egalitarian style of governance and support.
