The Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health
 

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ERC News
About the ERC
Our People
Programs in the ERC

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The Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center (ERC) for Occupational Safety and Health is a multidisciplinary and interdepartmental program whose objective is to prepare professionals in the field of occupational and environmental safety and health in the areas of research, education, service and policy development. This program is sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and includes six academic programs and a pilot project program as well as a continuing professional education program: occupational and environmental hygiene, occupational and environmental medicine, occupational and environmental health nursing, occupational epidemiology and biomarkers, occupational injury epidemiology and prevention, pilot project research training, and continuing education/outreach.

For more information please download our brochure.

ERC and Other News
 

Please join us in welcoming our new ERC Director!
 

Gurumurthy "Ram" Ramachandran, PhD has conducted research in various areas relating to human exposure assessment in occupational and non-occupational settings. His research has included the development of robust occupational exposure assessment strategies for a variety of airborne contaminants. He has pioneered the use of novel Bayesian statistical methods that synthesize exposure models, monitoring data, and probabilistic expert judgment. He has been at the forefront of research in occupational hygiene decision-making, and developing mathematical methods for exposure modeling and analyzing occupational measurements. Additional areas of expertise include developing exposure assessment methods for nano-particles and the use of expert judgment in risk assessment for nano-materials, and nanotechnology policy in the areas of occupational health and nano-medicine.

He has served as a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and advisory committees for the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). He is also serving on the editorial boards of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, and Journal of Occupational Safety and Health. He has a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, a Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of North Carolina.

International Scientific Committee Chair Gurumurthy "Ram" Ramachandran, PhD, CIH, FAIHA, Professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health of Johns Hopkins University, recently discussed the upcoming IOHA conference being held for the first time in the U.S. (Washington, D.C.) on September 24-26, 2018. This conference is an opportunity to meet IH professionals from around the world and develop relationships with over 50 national associations.

Click here to read the full article. 

So You Want to be an Occupational Health Nurse?

A message from Mary Doyle, Director of Continuing Education for the Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health. Click here for some tips and pointers on how to make it happen.

Walk with Me

Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine | Special Issue February 2012

Multiple sclerosis kept her in a scooter for 20 years, but Dr. Sheila Fitzgerald now walks on her own - with a little technological help.

Click here to read the article online in the Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine. Also you can watch the video.

National Assessment of the Occupational Safety and Health Workforce 

To respond to growing concern and debate over the supply and demand for occupational safety and health professionals in the United States, NIOSH commissioned a National Survey of the Occupational Safety and Health Workforce, released in October, 2011. The current surveys were designed and implemented by an independent research firm with expertise in survey research design. The effort was guided by a multidisciplinary advisory task force of occupational safety and health professionals and practitioners. Public comment and input from major stakeholder groups were included in the program development. This is the second assessment of the kind to be conducted by NIOSH. The first NIOSH assessment and report were undertaken in 1978.

Please take a moment to go the website.

About the ERC
 

The Johns Hopkins Center for Occupational Safety and Health is a multidisciplinary and interdepartmental program whose objective is to prepare professionals in the field of occupational and environmental safety and health in the areas of research, education, service and policy development. This program is sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and includes six programs that comprise the Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center (ERC) for Occupational Safety and Health:  occupational and environmental hygiene, occupational and environmental medicine, occupational and environmental health nursing,  biomarkers of exposure and susceptibility, occupational injury epidemiology and prevention, and continuing education and outreach.

The ERC is designed to serve as a regional resource for occupational and environmental safety and health professionals and is located in the Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Health Policy and Management of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Additionally, the programs integrate the resources of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing. The ERC offers graduate degree programs, both master’s and doctoral, as well as continuing education in occupational and environmental health.

For more information please download our brochure.

Our People

Director, Education and Research Center

Gurumurthy Ramachandran, PhD
Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Research: faculty page 
Email: gramach5@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-502-0182
Room E6634

Deputy Director, Education and Research Center
Director, Continuing Education Program

Mary L. Doyle, MPH, RN, COHN-S/CM 
Senior Research Associate, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: ERC Continuing Education Courses
Research: faculty page 
Email: mdoyle6@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-955-0423
Room W7517

Director, Pilot Project Research Training Program

Ana María Rule, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: Pilot Project Research Training Program
Research: faculty page
Email: arule1@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-955-5952
Room E6618

Director, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Program

Kirsten Koehler, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: OEH Program
Research: faculty page
Email: kkoehle1@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-955-7706
Room E6632

Director, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program

Brian Schwartz, MD, MPH 
Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: OEMR Program 
Research: faculty page
Email: bschwar1@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-955-4158
Room W7041

Deputy Program Director, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program

Aisha Rivera Margarin, MD, MS
Associate, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: OEMR Program 
Email: ariver28@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-502-2336
Room W7513B

Director, Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing Program 

Maureen A. F. Cadorette, PhD
Assistant Scientist, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: OEHN Program 
Research: faculty page 
Email: mcadore1@jhu.ed
Phone: 410-955-4587 
Room W7503A

Director, Occupational Epidemiology and Biomarkers Program

Paul Strickland, PhD
Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Program: OEB Program
Research: faculty page 
Email: pstrickl1@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-955-4456
Room W7535

Director, Occupational Injury Epidemiology and Prevention Program 

Keshia Pollack Porter, PhD, MPH 
Professor, Health Policy and Management
Program: OIEP Program 
Research: faculty page 
Email: kpollac1@jhu.edu
Phone: 410-502-6272
Hampton House, Room 557

Director Emeritus

​Jacqueline Agnew, PhD, RN
Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering
Research: faculty page 
Email: jagnew1@jhu.edu 
Phone: 410-955-4037
Room W7503D

Programs in the ERC

Seven programs comprise the Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health:

Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Program
The Occupational and Environmental Hygiene program focuses on the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of factors in the workplace and community which may cause illness or injury. The basic curriculum includes physiology, toxicology, occupational health, occupational medicine, ergonomics, biostatistics, epidemiology, principles of industrial safety, health and safety program management, health and safety law, industrial noise, and industrial hygiene principles, measurements and controls. Training is offered at master’s and doctoral levels. The program leading to the Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) degree is intended to provide broad education, training, and experience for the general practice of industrial hygiene and safety. Doctoral training is available for qualified students interested in research careers. Research interests of the faculty include all aspects related to exposure assessment for physical, chemical and biological agents. An original research dissertation is required.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency
The Occupational and Environmental Medicine program offers 1) residency training in Occupational Medicine to physicians, 2) a joint doctoral program with the Department of Epidemiology in occupational epidemiology, and 3) a core curriculum in occupational and environmental health and medicine for masters and doctoral students in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health as well as postdoctoral fellows throughout the University. The Occupational Medicine Residency trains leaders in occupational medicine for careers in any of the major sectors of the field – academia, industry, government, clinical practice, or labor – and provides expertise in occupational and environmental medicine. The residency is a two-year program, with an optional third-year available for trainees interested in careers in academia. The Residency is fully accredited by the ACGME and contributes to eligibility to sit for the certifying examination in occupational medicine by the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing
The Occupational Health Nursing program offers training for nurses at the master’s and doctoral levels. The full-time 11-month long Master of Public Health (MPH) curriculum includes core courses in toxicology, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, and safety and injury prevention. A part-time/internet-based MPH program with distance learning options is also available. The joint Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health (MSN/MPH) program is available as an 18-month curriculum. Practicum and field experiences are available. Graduates are prepared for a variety of positions that uniquely combine knowledge in occupational health and nursing. A program leading to a PhD or DrPH in Environmental Health and Engineering is available to prepare qualified students for careers in research and academia. Research opportunities exist in clinical, laboratory, or field settings. An original research dissertation is required. There are also employment opportunities in programs concerned with environmental hazards for graduates of both the master's and doctoral levels.

Occupational Epidemiology and Biomarkers Program
The Occupational Epidemiology and Biomarkers Program training program offers doctoral level education, training, and research in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering. The objective of the program is to graduate highly qualified scientists who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, evaluate, and apply molecular and biochemical biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility in occupational or environmental settings. Biomarkers are valuable tools for monitoring exposures or effects, and in molecular epidemiological studies of disease etiology. Graduates from the program are prepared to enter research and teaching careers in several venues including academic universities, research institutes, governmental health agencies, and international health organizations.

Occupational Injury Epidemiology and Prevention Program 
The Occupational Injury Epidemiology and Prevention program in the Department of Health Policy and Management stresses doctoral level education and training; however, the MPH degree program, with a Certificate in Injury Prevention and Control, is also available. The curriculum provides courses in the relevant areas of injury prevention, safety, quantitative and qualitative methods, prevention policy, and behavioral and social sciences. Among the skills mastered are occupational injury risk analysis, assessment, and reduction; injury epidemiology; critical evaluation of research data and recognition of deficiencies in the literature; ability to analyze data and provide recommendations to prevent or control injuries in the workplace. Students in the program usually enter careers in professional practice or in research and/or teaching at the university, government or the private sector level.

Pilot Project Research Training Program
The Pilot Projects Research Training (PPRT) Program is designed to enhance the research training capacity of the Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center (ERC) and other occupational health and safety training programs at institutions in NIOSH Region III through direct support of pilot project research activities.  Funds are used to support short-term research projects to explore the feasibility of new or improved areas of study, as well as to enable investigators to obtain data to successfully compete for support through conventional research funding sources.  Funds are available annually on a competitive basis; doctoral students and junior faculty are eligible to apply for funding.  The program encourages increased interdisciplinary interaction and promotes collaboration with Training Program Grantees (TPGs) and other institutions with occupational health and safety research training programs in Region III. 

Continuing Education Program and Outreach
The Continuing Education Program offers short courses and conferences to prepare environmental and occupational safety and health professionals for the ever-changing climate in regulation, compliance, and corporate culture. Short courses are designed for professionals working to promote occupational and environmental safety and health. Practicing occupational health nurses, physicians, safety engineers and industrial hygienists as well as educators, regulators, insurance underwriters, attorneys, union representatives, corporate and business managers, and manufacturing representatives benefit from our program and training. All courses are approved for the appropriate continuing education credits.

Please continue to our Continuing Education Program page for more information on upcoming ERC Continuing Education courses and conferences.