Enrollment Open: Experience the 2026 Field School in the Peruvian Amazon

In July 2026, the Amazon rainforest will once again transform into a living classroom with the Infectious Diseases and Public Health Field School—an intensive program that brings together science, fieldwork, and public health. From July 13 to 22, participants from around the world will meet to delve into the challenges posed by infectious diseases and their impact on the most vulnerable communities.

Organized by the UPCH–YALE Teodoro E. Gildred Laboratories in collaboration with the University of Antwerp, the Field School offers an experience that goes far beyond traditional instruction. Each edition brings together students, professionals, and researchers interested in understanding the complexity of the Amazonian ecosystem and its connection to global health dynamics.

Over the course of ten days, participants engage in interactive classes, hands-on laboratory training, visits to key research centers and public health intervention sites, and a field expedition that allows them to witness science in action in the Amazon, guided by highly experienced and widely recognized experts. This combination strengthens practical skills in data collection, sample analysis, and epidemiological surveillance, while highlighting how scientific research can be translated into interventions with real-world impact.

Immersion in the Amazonian environment demonstrates that science is not only studied—it is also observed, listened to, and lived alongside local communities. The program encourages participants to recognize the influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors on disease transmission, providing a comprehensive perspective on public health work in resource-limited settings.

Objectives and requirements

The program’s educational goals include training participants in field and laboratory research techniques and enhancing their ability to analyze health problems from multiple perspectives. It also aims to develop experience in community engagement, applying scientific findings to concrete prevention and control efforts.

The Field School is open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals interested in tropical diseases and global health challenges. Its immersive format makes it an ideal opportunity for those who wish to learn directly in the Amazon and gain a deeper understanding of the realities shaping health in the region.

Payment options

The program offers two participation options designed to meet the needs of different applicants.

The Basic Fee, priced at USD 1,200, includes local transportation within Iquitos—both in the city and during fieldwork—as well as entrance to the Amazon Rescue Center. It does not include domestic or international airfare, nor lodging or meals in Lima or Iquitos.

The Upgrade Fee, priced at USD 2,500, provides a more complete experience. It includes all benefits of the Basic Fee, plus round-trip airfare between Lima and Iquitos, as well as lodging and meals in Iquitos. It does not include international airfare, nor meals, lodging, or transportation in Lima.

For additional inquiries or information about the enrollment process, interested individuals may contact iquitoslab.administracion@oficinas-upch.pe. The Amazon awaits a new generation of researchers ready to learn where science breathes, flows, and transforms.

More information: click here.