Teaching is a core part of our work at the Functioning Epidemiology Group. We aim to equip students and early-career researchers with the methodological, analytical, and conceptual tools needed to understand functioning, disability, and rehabilitation from a public health perspective. Our approach emphasizes real-world data, applied skills, and the integration of clinical and epidemiological thinking.

Course: Sports Epidemiology – From the Basics to Applications with Machine Learning

In the Fall Semester 2025, we will launch a new course titled Sports Epidemiology: From the Basics to Applications with Machine Learning within the Master of Health Sciences program at the University of Lucerne. This course introduces students to the epidemiology of sports injuries and recovery, with a focus on how data science and machine learning are transforming the field. It covers core epidemiological methods, surveillance systems, predictive modeling, and the translation of evidence into clinical and policy recommendations.

The course is delivered over three intensive sessions:
•    October 24: Foundations of sports epidemiology, study designs, and injury surveillance
•    November 14: Risk prediction, prognostic models, and applications in return-to-play research
•    December 17: Student project presentations and critical reflections on methodological challenges

Students work with real-world datasets and are encouraged to explore topics such as youth athlete health, team-based injury monitoring, and return-to-performance modeling.

Broader Teaching Activities

Beyond this course, we contribute to teaching in the areas of:

•    Functioning and disability epidemiology
•    Biostatistics and data science for health research
•    Causal inference and observational study design
•    Real-world evidence in rehabilitation and chronic disease management

Our teaching philosophy is anchored in experiential learning, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. We also mentor master's and doctoral students working on projects aligned with our research agenda, and we actively support student engagement in international research networks.

For opportunities to collaborate, contribute, or learn more, you're welcome to contact Ass.-Prof. Adrian Martinez de la Torre, PhD