UNC’s ID Institute Offers Global Research, Education, and Clinical Opportunities
The University of North Carolina’s (UNC) Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Director Myron Cohen, MD, discusses the uniqueness of the institution and its ability to offer research and clinical opportunities globally as well as play a significant role in public health.
The University of North Carolina’s renown Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID) was established in 2007, and brings together the university’s 5 health science schools with a particular interest in infectious disease.1
“The institute was formed in order to bring together and create synergy among all these different parts, and that's proven to be true, and then to create opportunities that would otherwise be difficult,” said Institute Director Myron Cohen, MD. “And in particular, to build infrastructure in North Carolina and in other countries so that investigators could pursue their goals with much greater ease.”
The institute’s roots are in research and offers opportunities around the world. They work in 45 countries.1
“We have fairly large infrastructure in Asia, Africa, South America and in North Carolina, so we can help direct investigators from all of our health science schools and the rest of the campus to the best place to achieve their goals,” Cohen said.
In addition, he says the institute has large regulatory and grants management teams which help investigators more easily navigate potential research avenues and secure grants.
The institute secured $323 million in contracts and grants during fiscal years 2020-2024, conducted over 200 studies in 2024, and published over 1,000 papers that same year.1
In addition to research, UNC offers top-tier trainee and fellowship education. They have 35 post graduates, physicians, and fellows and have trained over 750 fellows since 1998. The institute has also won 50 awards.
In future episodes we will detail clinical service opportunities and the work IGHID members are performing both in the US and globally.
Look for the next episode on Monday when Director of the Infectious Diseases Training Program at UNC Christopher Sellers, MD, discusses the percentage of infectious disease trainees who stay at UNC and potential career paths for them.
Reference
1. Global Health and Infectious Diseases (IGHID). UNC homepage. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://globalhealth.unc.edu/
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