The University of Nebraska                                   
Center for Environmental Health and Toxicology
Promoting the integration of new perspectives
and insights into education and research

The University of Nebraska Center for Environmental Toxicology provides opportunities to earn an M.S. or Ph.D. in toxicology through study and research at the Eppley Institute, the Center for Human Molecular Genetics, the School of Allied Health Professions and the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy; Internal Medicine; Oral Biology; Pathology & Microbiology; Pharmacology and  Pharmaceutical Sciences located at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) campus; and the Departments of Agronomy & Horticulture, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Entomology, Food Science & Technology, the School of Natural Resources and the School of Biological Sciences located at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) campus; and at the Departments of Biology and Chemistry located at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).  Faculty members from UNMC, UNL and UNO are involved in a diversity of research interests encompassing chemical and biological aspects of environmental toxicology and carcinogenesis.

WHY TOXICOLOGY? Toxicology takes a scientific approach to the environmental concerns of today and tomorrow. It means a better understanding of what is - and is not - harmful by developing new methods of evaluating risks. At the core is the study of mechanisms by which certain chemicals adversely affect cells.

A career in toxicology offers you: the opportunity to conduct basic research using the most advanced techniques. the ability to use your scientific interest toward ensuring safe products and a safe workplace. a competitive edge with the increasing demand for specialists in toxicology. positions in industry, government, or academic research. opportunities for advancement and growth. options for research, teaching, consulting, management.

THE PROGRAM

The joint UNMC-UNL graduate program offers several unique benefits, including multidisciplinary studies.  You earn a master's or doctoral degree in toxicology.

By choosing this particular program, you gain the opportunity to:

• combine your in-depth knowledge of a specific field with a broad perspective on toxicology.
• be paired with leading researchers to conduct research in toxicology-related studies.
• receive a nationally competitive assistantship, have tuition waived and health insurance paid.
• attend regularly scheduled seminars, often featuring nationally recognized experts in toxicology and related disciplines.

THE CENTER

The Center's roots go back to 1989 when a group of UNMC faculty under the leadership of Dr. Ercole Cavalieri began discussing development of graduate studies in toxicology. It was agreed that an effective program would need to involve faculty from both the UNMC and UNL campuses. At the end of 1989, the Environmental Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Program was organized with 16 faculty members. Over the past several years, UNMC, UNL and UNO faculty have jointly developed an intercampus/interdisciplinary graduate program to train M.S. and Ph.D. graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and to conduct collaborative research. Faculty members' research interests cover a wide spectrum. Emphasis is placed on molecular mechanisms of toxicology and carcinogenesis. In February 1997 the Board of Regents established the Center for Environmental Toxicology at the University of Nebraska.  The Center has since grown to include 55 faculty.

In November, 2007, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the move of the Center and it's graduate program under the auspices of the College of Public Health on the University of Nebraska campus creating an intercampus, multidisciplinary graduate program leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in environmental health, occupational health and toxicology.  This revision and expansion of the existing Toxicology graduate program will accommodate broader graduate education goals.  The program will provide students with the knowledge base, laboratory skills, and problem-solving abilities to become independent, innovative investigators using state-of-the-art approaches to address scientific problems in the fields of environmental health, econological health, occupational health and safety, and toxicology. 

The Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Toxicology Graduate Program (EHOHTGP) of the College of Public Health is intended for students who wish to pursue a course of study leading to the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Toxicology.  The EHOHTGP operates under the auspices of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska through the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Dean for Graduate Studies and Research.

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Related Links
Resource Guide to Careers in Toxicology, Society of Toxicology