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Several wooden barrels mounted on platforms outdoors, used for a field experiment.

Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health

Our Department's Mission

The department of Global, Environment and Occupational Health's (GEOH) mission is to promote and protect human health in the diverse communities across Maryland, the nation and the world through discovery, education, and innovative application of knowledge in the fields of global, environmental, and occupational health.

GEOH is 1!

The Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health (GEOH) is marking our 1 Year Anniversary!

Leena Malayil, Rihanna Murray in the Water Lab

In just ONE year, we have:

  • welcomed over 45 students to our new Global Health and ENSP: Environmental Justice majors
  • trained local contractors (through our WOW Lab) to construct rainwater harvesting and treatment systems for small and urban farms
  • expanded our global impact by supporting low- and middle-income countries (e.g., Nepal, Tanzania, Cameroon) in addressing the health effects of climate change
  • published research on the public health implications of avian influenza emergence in cats and the impacts of extreme heat and drought on human health
  • celebrated the very first UMD Distinguished University Professor (UMD’s highest honor) for the School of Public Health, our very own Dr. Don Milton, and welcomed our new Clark Leadership Chair in Global Health, Dr. Heather Wipfli

Want to support our work? Donate here!

Our Degree Programs

Globe wrapped in a stethoscope, representing global health.

BS, Global Health

Researcher performing examination of bacterial culture plate.

MPH, Environmental Health Sciences

Seedling grows in drought-cracked ground, symbolizing climate resilience.

MS, Environmental Health Sciences

Student wearing gloves samples water for CONSERVE Center outdoors.

PhD, Environmental Health Sciences

Two children in Ethiopia hold their hands under a running water spigot.

Graduate Certificate, Global Health

Word cloud for Environmental Justice major.

BS, ENSP - Environmental Justice

Why I Chose Maryland

“The professors were truly invested in the students and their success across the SPH. The mentorship I received made a big difference for me. I continue to engage with my professors and work with several of them.”

Portrait of Allison Gost.

Plan a Visit!
Dept. of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health
SPH Building, 4200 Valley Drive, Suite 2234
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-2611

Email: sph-geoh@umd.edu 
Phone: (301) 405-8287

Find directions and parking information on the SPH visitor page. about Find directions and parking information on the SPH visitor page.

Recent GEOH News

grad student takes a water sample near the Potomac river sewage spill site
Elevated E. coli, staph still detected in Potomac river 4 weeks after sewage spill
View Article Elevated E. coli, staph still detected in Potomac river 4 weeks after sewage spill
2 images: a water sample bottle over sewage spill and students collect water samples in the snow
UMD team finds E. coli, MRSA in Potomac River after sewage spill
View Article UMD team finds E. coli, MRSA in Potomac River after sewage spill
Professor sits inside his invention, the Gesundheit machine, looking at camera with hand to his chin
Study: How can we stop the spread of flu?
View Article Study: How can we stop the spread of flu?

GEOH in Maryland Today

vegetables in market

UMD Awarded $480K to Develop and Test Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program

Partnership With Health Care Providers, Nonprofit, Farms to Target Food-Insecure
View Article UMD Awarded $480K to Develop and Test Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program
closeup of hands sliding number tiles with Braille

Engineer’s 3D-Printed Education Tools Put Visually Impaired Students in Touch With Learning

When He’s Not Designing Airplane Sensors, Researcher Provides Classroom Aids to Area Schools
View Article Engineer’s 3D-Printed Education Tools Put Visually Impaired Students in Touch With Learning
Elaine Johnson Coates on smiles on stage as others clap during commencement ceremony

UMD Mourns the Loss of Trailblazer Elaine Johnson Coates ’59

Coates Endured Hardships to Become the First Black Woman to Receive an Undergraduate Degree From UMD
View Article UMD Mourns the Loss of Trailblazer Elaine Johnson Coates ’59