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In the course of the transformation of UNIKA-T, the Chair of Epidemiology was transferred from the Medical Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit?t (LMU) Munich to the Medical Faculty of the University of Augsburg; it is now based at the University Hospital Augsburg (UKA). The chair comprises a multidisciplinary team of scientific and technical staff who are active in scientific research and academic teaching.

A number of epidemiological observational studies are running, including studies with patients and population-based studies. In the study center of the chair at the UKA, examinations are carried out and biosamples are collected, which are immediately processed and analyzed or stored at -80°C for later analyses. The focus is on diseases of the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism) and metabolic diseases (obesity, type-2 diabetes). Biomarkers (including omics data) are determined to better understand (patho-)physiological processes; influencing factors and predictors for the development and course of diseases are also investigated;? factors such as quality of life, nutrition, characteristics of the immune system as well as psychological factors and concomitant diseases are of particular interest. The consequences of COVID-19 diseases are also part of the research. Results of these studies should be transferred to practice as fast as possible (translational approach). The scientists of the chair are very successful in the acquisition of third-party funds and the publication of study results in high-ranking scientific journals.

The chair is responsible for teaching and training in the field of epidemiology and medical statistics in students in the study program of Human Medicine at the University of Augsburg. Scientists of the chair are also involved in teaching in the Epidemiology Master's programs (MSc Public Health, MSc Epidemiology) at the LMU München. In addition, courses for students of human medicine in their practical year are offered at the University Hospital Augsburg. Teaching takes place in the form of lectures, seminars, exercises, master's colloquia, mentorships as well as the supervision of internships and master's theses. More than 10 doctoral theses are currently supervised by senior scientists of the chair.