FORT WORTH, Texas – The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth announced today the development of a new research institute, the Institute for Public Health Research.

The institute will emphasize a collaborative approach to prevention research and will strive to develop public health-related solutions for communities through academic-community partnerships with health departments, community organizations, health care delivery organizations, other health-related organizations and academic units within universities.

The institute will address the health and health care needs of the local, state and global community through applied research, communication, and professional and community training. Institute faculty, staff and students will use an array of research methods, including intervention studies, evaluation research, field trials, and demonstration projects, to affect changes in the health of targeted communities or population groups.

Components of the institute are five Centers of Research: the Center for Workforce Development and Public Health Leadership; Center for Disease Prevention and Research; Center for Occupational and Environmental Research and Training; Center for Cross-Cultural and Community Health Research; and the Center for Health Management and Policy Research. A primary focus through the centers will be to train public health students and practicing professionals in the latest techniques and practices for protecting the public health.

Dr. Fernando M. Treviño, dean of the School of Public Health, will serve as the director of the Institute for Public Health Research. Dr. Antonio A. René, director of research for the School of Public Health, has been named associate director.

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