Contact

Henry Brezenoff, Ph.D.
hbrezeno@umdnj.edu
Director, Office of Health Science Outreach and Education
Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Physiology

Office of Health Science Outreach & Education
30 Bergen Street, Suite 110
Newark, NJ 07107

Phone: (973) 972-5333
Fax: (973) 972-7148

Mission

The mission of the Office of Health Science Outreach & Education is to expand the knowledge and understanding of the general public about issues related to health and biomedical research, with programs directed primarily toward grades K-12 students and teachers as well as various community groups.

Overview

Despite the remarkable biomedical and scientific advances in recent years, few in the general population understand their meaning and significance. In critical health areas currently being debated, including stem cells, cloning, drug testing and vaccination against disease, public misconceptions adversely influence legislation, teaching and utilization of breakthroughs. As the State’s university for the health sciences, UMDNJ is uniquely poised to assist public school teachers, students, and adults in the greater New Jersey community in understanding these issues and the science behind them.

The OHSOE will serve as a focal point to promote innovative programs through UMDNJ faculty and students and in collaboration with other academic and educational institutions. It seems intuitive that we develop scientific curiosity and a knowledge base in the young, but the number of these programs and participants is relatively small considering the need and potential audience.

Our major collaborator is Liberty Science Center (LSC) in Jersey City, one of the most innovative science centers and museums in the nation, which attracts a million visitors annually. Its mission as a learning resource for lifelong exploration of nature, humanity and technology is directed in large measure at the younger population. During the past several years, UMDNJ has partnered with LSC in various programs for K-12 teachers. These programs have involved faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows at NJMS, GSBS, SHRP and Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research & Education Corporation. Additional programs currently are being planned to involve all campuses and schools of UMDNJ.

These ventures could be beneficial not only to the public, but would bring forth the importance and positive aspects of UMDNJ as a health science institution and motivate more young people to enter the health and biomedical research professions. Thus, the OHSOE will be developing in-house programs with our faculty and students and collaborative projects with other institutions using a variety of delivery techniques, including web-based learning; mentored research experiences for students and teachers; and professional development workshops for teachers.