IS Certificates
One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate
Click on the One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate pathway icon to learn more about the established framework and educational opportunity.
The Interdisciplinary Studies Program offers a One Health Certificate, founded as an interdisciplinary interest of faculty from the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), the Office of Public Health Studies (OPHS) in the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health (TSSWPH), the Pacific Biosciences Research Center (PBRC) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST),
and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). According to the One Health Website, "The One Health Concept is rooted in the understanding of the interdependence of human and natural systems. It recognizes that the health of people is closely connected with the health of animals and the environment. It is in harmony with Mauli Ola, the Hawaiian concept of physical, spiritual and mental health and of social and cultural wellbeing and is deeply rooted in the indigenous belief that the health of the individual and the community are inextricably linked to the health of the environment."
The One Health Program curriculum consists of 15 credits of One-Health-related coursework and a capstone experience which can be (1) a mentored-research offered by an interdisciplinary team of researchers based in the participating units, or (2) a supervised practicum with organizations relevant to One-Health.
Sandra Chang
One Health Program Director
The Interdisciplinary Studies program is thrilled to introduce one of our outstanding IS faculty members Professor Sandra Chang. Professor Chang is the Director of our new One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate and a University of Hawaiʻi Faculty member for the last 37 years. Professor Chang worked together with a group of faculty from the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and the John A Burns School of Medicine to create the One Health certificate program over the last three years. The team of faculty came up with the One Health education program to provide UH students the opportunity to learn about the interdisciplinary approach to address the interconnections between human health, animal health, and the environment.
As the One Health Director, Sandra describes her philosophy, “the solutions to many of todayʻs major challenges (climate change, pandemic prevention, sustainability) require an interdisciplinary approach involving communication and collaboration amongst different professionals. One of my goals is to develop an appreciation of this concept by undergraduate students and to provide
training opportunities in forming and maintaining interdisciplinary partnerships and developing communication skills to address these challenges.” As a highly respected and accomplished UH Faculty member, some of Professor Changʻs notable achievements pertaining to the new IS Certificate are as follows:
-Establishment of the One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate as an approved academic program at UH Manoa;
-Recruitment of the first cohort of undergraduate and post-bac students into the One Health Certificate Program;
-Providing a platform for UH Manoa students from diverse disciplines to work together on One Health research and community outreach projects.
Professor Sandra Chang is an essential resource to One Health and we are so lucky to have a chance to learn about Chang and her foundational impact on the program.
Born and raised on the island of Kauai and now residing in Nuuanu, Oahu, Professor Sandra Chang appreciates many facets of Hawaiian and local culture; especially, music, dance, art, and food. Professor Chang values her quality time and keeps her family as the central part of her life. Additionally, Chang enjoys music, yoga and gardening in her free time.
Professor Changʻs received her BS in Biology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa; MS in Microbiology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa; PhD in Medical Microbiology & Immunology from Oregon Health and Science University. and Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Biology Department from the California Institute of Technology. She was recruited as a researcher in the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology in the John A Burns School of Medicine. Currently, Sandra is a Professor and Graduate Program Chair in the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology & Pharmacology, Faculty Advisor for the Student Immunization Initiative and the Program Director of One Health. You may contact Professor Chang for any questions about One Health student recruitment, admissions, advising, retention, and program oversight via email: onehlth@hawaii.edu (One Health Program), or sandrac@hawaii.edu (her UH email). Thank you Sandra Chang for your outstanding contributions to the UH Community and ISP.
UH One Health News Article
On February 9th, 2023 UH News debuted the One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate Program and the expected enrollment to begin the Summer of 2023. Click the image below to review the UH News Article.
