Division of Nutrition

St. John’s Research Institute (SJRI) in conjunction with the Harvard School of Public Health and Tufts University are offering an interdisciplinary two-week course at SJRI. This International Nutrition Research Methods Course will introduce students to public health research topics through critical evaluation of scientific literature and exploration of a variety of demographic, epidemiological, biological and social factors that affect nutritional status. In addition to completing a core curriculum, students will have an opportunity to explore selected research areas in-depth through development of a research presentation and collaboration with faculty members from three institutions.

The Bangalore Boston Nutrition Collaborative has successfully conducted this 2-week short course since 7 years and is planning to continue it in 2017.

Course Objectives:

• Explore the role of nutritional factors and health outcomes, through critical evaluation of the scientific literature and exploration of demographic, epidemiological, biological, social, political, and economic determinants
• Gain substantive knowledge in topic areas related to public health nutrition research, including: clinical nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular nutrition
• Enhance methodological skills in areas of nutritional, infectious disease, and chronic disease epidemiology, with emphasis on clinical, research, and laboratory areas
• Discuss the latest findings from epidemiologic studies on the role of nutrition in the prevention, care, and treatment of health outcomes - including interpretation and synthesis of research findings, potential mechanisms, study design limitations, and public health implications - and integrate research findings to inform public health recommendations and program design and implementation, based on current evidence

Who Can Apply:
Potential candidates may be currently involved in nutrition, clinical, research, program, policy, or laboratory work, including medical students, physicians and allied health professionals. Junior faculty in medicine, nursing, and public health at academic institutions throughout India are also invited to participate in this training program. Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to public health practice and/or research.

Course Fee:
There is no course fee*. The candidates will be selected on competitive selection method. The candidates will be provided with the course manual (including background reading material and handouts), and relevant books.

Accommodation:
Food and stay arrangements at St. Johns will be made by Bangalore Boston Nutrition Collaborative (BBNC) and travel costs (train) will be reimbursed to the participants*.

To Apply:
The application form is available in the attachment below.

The Course:
Didactic lectures and small group practical sessions will be given on the following topics:

• Human Nutrition
• Nutritional Physiology
• Molecular Nutrition
• Nutritional Assessment
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Health Policy and Nutrition
• Micronutrient Interventions
• Ethics in Nutrition and Global Health
• Nutrition in Humanitarian Emergencies
• Principles of Biostatistics
• Survey Methods and Data Analysis
• Epidemiologic Research Methods
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Obesity & Chronic Disease Epidemiology
• Scientific Manuscript & Proposal Development
• Using Internet to Extract Evidence

*Applicable only for students from India