Interdisciplinary Knowledge to Transform Healthcare as We Know It

The PhD in Personal Health Informatics at Northeastern University prepares students to lead research and development of new person- and patient-facing technologies that will transform healthcare delivery within the U.S. and around the world. The program combines a strong foundation in human-computer interface technology and experimental design in health sciences with a research program focused on exploring how technology designed with a patient- or person-facing perspective might transform healthcare delivery. It brings together students who have a strong health science background and a desire to develop innovative technologies with students who have strong technical backgrounds and a passion for using technology for disruptive innovation in the health care industry.

Full description of the program

In addition to focusing on technology to support healthcare, wellness, and coping with chronic conditions, the program provides a strong foundation in health science and experimental methodology in the health sciences, with practical experience gained during the program by immersion in one or move of Boston’s outstanding medical research institutions. Highly trained professionals with the skills and knowledge and experience to lead transdisciplinary teams in the design and validation of new health technologies are increasingly in demand in academia, industry, government, and non-profit public health organizations.  

Students who choose the PhD in Personal Health Informatics program gain:

A strong technical foundation and an interdisciplinary perspective
The program  prepares graduates for careers as faculty focused on transdiscplinary health technology research , as technical leaders and scientific advisors in industries or non-profits creating or using novel healthcare technologies or research tools, and as entrepreneurs who start up innovative companies based on the research initiated in the program. The transdisciplinary nature of the program and the focus on how technology can support wellness and improve care from the patient’s perspective distinguishes it from traditional doctoral degree programs in computer science and medical and health informatics.

A path to a research-focused career
The PhD program is a natural path for both students in the college’s Master of Science in Health Informatics program who want to pursue research and those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees in either computer science, information science, or a related technical degree, as well as those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees in health sciences or medicine.

Broad faculty expertise
The PhD program draws on faculty across Northeastern University, currently with faculty from the College of Computer and Information Science, the Bouvé College of Health Sciences, the College of Engineering, the College of Business (Entrepreneurship), the College of Science (Psychology), and the College of Art, Media, and Design (Game Design).

Depth in personal health informatics research
The Ph.D. program offers a wide range of research opportunities and reflects Northeastern’s overall strength in research in personal health informatics. Northeastern faculty are among the leaders in the creation and validation of person-facing and patient-facing health and wellness systems, with funding for research from the National Institutes of Health (NHLBI, NCI, NLM), the National Science Foundation, industry, and non-profits charitable foundations.

The benefits of the Boston area
Boston is world-renowned for academic and research excellence, and the Boston area is also home to some of the nation’s best teaching hospitals and a thriving medical device and biotech industry. Opportunities for research collaboration are plentiful, with centers of excellence such as Harvard Medical School and School of Public Health, Children’s Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Veteran’s Administration Healthcare System  literally just a few minutes walk from campus. A 20 minute trolley ride from campus is Massachusetts General Hospital, Partner’s Center for Connected Health, and CIMIT. Northeastern is a leader in urban health research and has strong ties with Boston community organizations, leading to more opportunities for impactful field research.  

For more information
The Personal Health Informatics website provides additional details on the Ph.D. program, including example projects, faculty bios, curriculum, and more. 

Applying to the program
The application deadline for the Fall 2012 semester is February 15, 2012. 
We will continue accepting applications after the deadline, however. Funding priority will be given to those applicants that have completed their submission before the deadline.

For information on how to apply and the application requirements, please visit the application website.