"I was largely focused on how people manage the environment, but it became clear to me that deforestation and other environmental changes had dire consequences on human health," said Kramer, who has also done research on the environmental effects of malaria control programs. "So, when DGHI came along, I thought it was an exciting opportunity to really push further into the connections between environmental quality and human health."

Kramer leads DGHI's environmental health signature research initiative which addresses important environmental issues, such as water quality and sanitation, and the effects of climate change on human health. The working group provides an opportunity for faculty from across Duke to become familiar with each other's research programs and interests, and begin to formulate new research initiatives around global environmental health.

"DGHI is one of the most exciting developments I've seen at Duke," said Kramer, who has been teaching at Duke since 1988. "It's a unique model in that it's leveraging activities in departments and schools across campus and taking advantage of the broad expertise already available. That's why DGHI has been able to accomplish so much, so quickly."