Planetary Health - Epidemiology meets technology

This summer school is designed for advanced bachelor students and/or graduate students in a field of interest for  planetary health with some knowledge and experience of quantitative and /or qualitative research methods used in epidemiology and medical science and willing to work in an interdisciplinary way with colleagues from different backgrounds.

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

After this course you will be able to:

1. Describe the main concepts underlying Planetary Health, the main drivers of human pollutions, and the main human health consequences of climate change

2. Discuss the role of molecular epidemiology and measurement of the exposome in Planetary Health

3. Appreciate the importance of cultural norms in driving exposures and acceptability of assessment

4. Explore the potential for new technologies in Planetary health, from exposure assessment, to remote connection & telemedicine

5. Work interdisciplinary with a group of peers on a research task relevant to Planetary Health

6. Liaise with the local community and local stakeholders to have a sense of cultural norms, socio-economic drivers and political stand of the country you are in, in relation to Planetary Health

Workload

The workload accumulated consists of:
Independent work: 20 hours
Lectures: 30 hours
Group activities: 30 hours
Field trips: 20 hours

Valentina Gallo

Valentina Gallo is a Rosalind Franklin Fellow and Associate Professor in Epidemiology and Sustainable Health at Campus Fryslân, University of Groningen where she leads the Sustainable Health flagship. She trained in Medicine and Surgery first and Clinical Neurology after. Valentina gained her PhD in Clinical and Experimental Neurology. Valentina’s research is focused on the epidemiology of neurological disease, molecular and environmental epidemiology. In April 2020 Valentina moved to Groningen and started as Associate Professor and leader of the Sustainable Health Flagship at Campus Fryslân.

dr. Esther I Metting

Esther is a psychologist and epidemiologist, currently working as assistant professor at the University of Groningen. Her dissertation was titled “Development of patient centered management of asthma and COPD in primary care” with a strong emphasis on the use of technology and patient involvement. Her experience in clinical, behavioural and implementation science have led to a solid and multidisciplinary basis for health research. In her role as project leader and chair I have learned to manage longitudinal (international) projects with researchers, health care professionals and students. Her goal is to improve scientific knowledge in the field of eHealth.

Ysabel Polanco

Ysabel Polanco is an associate professor in the department of public health and preventive medicine, School of Medicine. University of Antioquia, Colombia. She received her medical education at the University of Antioquia. She studied masters in medical anthropology at the University of Florida and a PhD in Public health at the University of Florida (USA).  She currently performs research mainly related to environmental health, particularly the health effects of pesticide use in Colombia.

Paula Andrea Diaz Valencia

Paula is MD, MPH, PhD, and currently works at Postgraduate programs and PhD Epidemiology Program at the National School of Public Health in the University of Antioquia. She was President (2018-2020) and currently member of the Americas Network for Chronic Disease Surveillance. She does research in chronic diseases and metabolic disorders with particular interest in epidemiology of diabetes and health education for patients with diabetes.

Eliana Martinez Herrera

Eliana works as professor in the University of Antioquia. She is a public health specialist and epidemiologist with a PhD in the same field. She is a specialist in planning and administration of international cooperation towards development. With expertise in the building of knowledge networks, public health policies, social network, social capital, social technologies for health, health promotion, disease prevention, health equitativity and climate change.

In this summer school you will learn about: 

• Introduction to Planetary health
• Exposure assessment and molecular epidemiology
• Experiences from around the world
• Cultural acceptability and between/within comparisons
• eHealth & citizen science

The summer school is 2 weeks long and will run in parallel in Groningen (the Netherlands) and Medellin (Colombia)

Week 1:
The first week is hybrid and can be joined either from Groningen, or from Medellin, or online. It will introduce the students to the complexity and the concept of Planetary Health with a specific focus of the application of technology. The program includes 4 hours of lectures per day in a shared virtual room. Collective hybrid reflection sessions of 2 hours per day will be held in each location. 

Week 2:
The second week is in person only and can be joined either from Groningen, or from Medellin. Students will be split into interdisciplinary groups depending on their background and their preferences expressed during the application process and will engage into a mini-local research activity. 

To apply, kindly fill out the online application form. Please include the following documents with your application:

• CV
• Letter of motivation
• Letter of recommendation  

The application deadine was 31st of May 2023. Only those who wish to participate solely in the first online week can still apply. After application a selection committee conformed by members of the two universities will review applications and select the participants. An email will be sent to participants with the decision and further steps.

• Participants who cancel more than 4 weeks before the start of the course are liable to pay 15% of the full course fee, unless the Summer School in question decides otherwise. 

• Participants who cancel within 4 weeks before the start of the course are liable to pay the full course fee, unless the Summer School in question decides otherwise.

• Participants who withdraw during the course are liable to pay the full course fee, unless the Summer School in question decides otherwise.