ANNOUNCE System Science and Health Conference

[""Milstein, Bobby (CDC/CCHP/NCCD]

Posted by ""Milstein, Bobby (CDC/CCHP/NCCDPHP)"" <bym2@CDC.GOV>

Hello SD Colleagues,

See the announcement below for a new training opportunity on SD and health, in
the context of a larger Institute featuring other modeling methodologies.
Please
pass this along to potentially interested candidates.

Best of luck.

Bobby

____________________________________________________

Training Opportunity

Institute on Systems Science and Health

May 3-8, 2009

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Organized by

University of Michigan

Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health

Center for the Study of Complex Systems

National Association of Chronic Disease Directors

with guidance and support from the

NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

and the

CDC Syndemics Prevention Network

Application Deadline: February 13, 2009 11:59pm (Eastern)

Application Information Available:
www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3811

OBJECTIVE: To provide investigators with a thorough introduction to selected
systems science methodologies that may be used to study behavioral and social
dimensions of public health. Participants in the week-long Institute will focus
on one of three methodologies: agent-based modeling, system dynamics modeling,
or
network analysis.

The CURRICULUM will help participants:

· Better understand systems science in general and different
methodological traditions, including their strengths, limitations, and types of
problems for which they are best suited;

· Work through specific problems using their chosen methodology and
become familiar with relevant software package(s);

· Appreciate the potential for applying systems science methodologies to
problems of population health and disease, especially those in which behavioral
and social factors figure prominently;

· Prepare stronger applications to funders such as NIH, CDC, and
philanthropies in those areas where systems science, behavioral and social
processes, and population health intersect.

FACULTY: Faculty consist of leading experts (practitioners and teachers) with
extensive methodological experience. The Institute Organizers and Track leaders
are:

Institute Planning Committee

George A. Kaplan, Ph.D.
University of Michigan

Carl Simon, Ph.D.

University of Michigan

Patricia Mabry, Ph.D.

National Institutes of Health

Bobby Milstein, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Robert Smariga

National Assn. of Chronic Disease Directors

Track Leaders

Agent-based Modeling

Rick Riolo, Ph.D.

University of Michigan

System Dynamics Modeling

Nathaniel Osgood, Ph.D.

University of Saskatchewan

Network Analysis

Thomas Valente, Ph.D.

University of Southern California

Additional faculty and Institute-wide speakers will be announced at a later
date.

Program Information

The Institute will feature plenary sessions on topics of general interest as
well
as hands-on and in-depth training in specific tracks. On the application form,
participants will rank their preference for one or more tracks: (1) Agent-Based
Modeling; (2) System Dynamics Modeling; or (3) Network Analysis. All tracks
will
provide an introduction to the relevant methodology with examples drawn from
public health. Ample time will be provided for participants to network and form
collaborations that will last beyond the course itself.

Background and Resources

The Institute builds on prior efforts of the organizers and sponsors to raise
awareness among behavioral and social scientists about the potential uses for
systems science methodologies to improve population health (see Mabry et al.,
2008, http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S074 ... 5/abstract). In
2007, the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention along with various NIH components produced a four-part
lecture series entitled: 2007 Symposia Series on Systems Science and Health.
This
symposia series is aimed at introducing systems science to behavioral and social
scientists for applications in health and is available indefinitely as a public
resource via videocast (see below). In May 2007, the University of Michigan
Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health and Center for the Study of
Complex Systems hosted a two-day conference sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy
Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the National
Cancer Institute, and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at
NIH, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Here are links to these
videocasts:

Systems Methodologies for Solving Real-World Problems: Applications in Public
Health

To view videocast with Real Player follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss032207.ram

To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13712

Network Analysis: Using Connections and Structures to Understand and Change
Health Behaviors

To view videocast with Real Player follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss061207.ram

To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13878

Agent Based Modeling: Population Health from the Bottom Up

To view videocast with Real Player follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss071307.ram

To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13931

System Dynamics Modeling: Population Flows, Feedback Loops and Health

To view videocast with Real Player follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss083007.ram

To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=14005

Complex Systems Approaches to Population Health

DAY 1:
To view videocast with Real Player follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/complex053007.ram

To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13867

DAY 2:
To view videocast with Real Player follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/complex053107.ram

To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link:
http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13869

If you experience difficulty accessing these videocasts, contact Patty Mabry at
mabryp@od.nih.gov.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this institute, individuals must:

· Have completed a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent terminal degree within
their field.

· Have at least one year of post-doctoral experience in academia,
private
industry, non-profit, or government.

· Have identified one or more problems in public health to which they
would like to apply systems science methodologies.

Priority will be given to researchers who have demonstrated research potential
and experience and who will clearly benefit from systems science training. The
ideal candidate will have prior exposure to systems science methodologies, will
be actively pursuing an independent research career, and have a desire to focus
their future work on applying systems science approaches to public or population
health problems featuring behavioral and social factors.

Applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or
must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence
(i.e., possess a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or other
legal verification of such status).

Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Location

The Institute will be held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
May 3-8, 2009. The program will begin with a welcome session at 6:00pm on
Sunday, May 3 and will conclude by 2:00pm on Friday, May 8. Participants are
expected to attend the entire course.

Costs

The NIH Office of Behavioral Sciences Research will pay for travel to and from
the Institute site, room and board, and all course materials. There are no
additional fees although participants are asked to furnish their own laptop
computer; a limited number of laptops will be available on loan to students who
do not have an appropriately configured laptop. Family members may accompany
participants at their own expense. However, please note that the curriculum
activities will be open only to enrolled students, so family members are
encouraged to make their own arrangements for daytime activities.

Accreditation
Currently there is no CE/CME accreditation associated with this Institute.

Application Process

All application materials must be submitted electronically. A complete
application packet must include:

1. One Application Cover Sheet with applicant signature

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Two letters of recommendation

· Letters should come from individuals who have worked professionally
with the candidate within the last two to three years.

· Letters can be from deans, department chairs, mentors, division
chiefs,
supervisors, colleagues etc.

4. Brief Personal statement of career interests and how this Institute fits
into these interests as well as a summary of prior learning related to systems
science methodologies.

5. Research interests, including a succinct statement of a research question
that you feel would benefit from one or more of the three systems science
methodologies highlighted in the Institute.

Submit your application materials online at
www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3811

Applications must be received no later than 11:59pm eastern time
on February 13, 2009.

Participants will be notified of their selection by March 16 2009.

If you have additional questions or needs, please contact Slavomira Lacinova,
National Association of Chronic Disease Directors at (770) 458-7400 or
SummerInst@chronicdisease.org.
Posted by ""Milstein, Bobby (CDC/CCHP/NCCDPHP)"" <bym2@CDC.GOV>
posting date Fri, 9 Jan 2009 14:50:25 -0500

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