A Welcome Message from the Co-Directors

Welcome to the website for BioPop: Integrative Biopsychosocial Research in Population Health. We are working group of faculty, academic staff, and students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison interested in studying health from a multidisciplinary and integrative perspective. We draw upon theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches from biomedical, life, and social sciences to better understand determinants of health and health disparities and to illuminate promising opportunities for improving population health.

History of BioPop

BioPop: Integrative Biopsychosocial Research in Population Health is a working group in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. BioPop was established in the Spring of 2008 as a working group with a focus on integrative biopsychosocial research in population health. Research conducted by BioPop considers the interaction of biological, psychological, and social determinants of health and health disparities. Research falls into four broad areas: Social and Familial Relationships and Health; Stress, Resilience and Health; Mental Health and Healthcare; Biological mechanisms. In addition to conducting research, BioPop offers mentorship for graduate students and hosts regular journal clubs, informal fora for discussion of ongoing projects, and organizes stress-relieving activities for members of the group.

Our Mission

The mission of BioPop: Integrative Biopsychosocial Research in Population Health is threefold:

• To conduct innovative, interdisciplinary, and multi-method life-course research on: 1) social and familial relationships and health; 2) stress, resilience, and health; 3) mental health and healthcare; and 4) the biological pathways that mediate these relationships;
• To provide training, mentorship, and education to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty on key methodological and substantive priority areas in population health; and
• To collaborate with local and global community members and health organizations to devise practical solutions in improving and sustaining population health.

We strive to conduct all of the above activities in collaboration and consultation with Schools and Departments across the UW--Madison and other academic institutions around the state, nation and world; governmental and non-governmental research entities; and local, state, national and international public health organizations.