The research program of the UCLA COEH was originally derived from the 8 FTEs established in the Center in the early 1980s. These were limited to the disciplines of industrial hygiene, epidemiology, nursing, and medicine. Since 1989, the UCLA COEH has expanded the membership of the Center to incorporate a range of disciplines beyond those originally included in the Center. Taking the research initiatives of all affiliated faculty, the research currently underway in the UCLA COEH includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: exposure assessment in occupational and environmental health; industrial hygiene; aerosol science; environmental chemistry; occupational and environmental epidemiology; chemical and molecular toxicology; occupational and environmental health nursing and medicine; psychosocial factors in the workplace; ergonomics; air pollution with an emphasis on particle toxicity; and occupational health education. An exhaustive list of research areas can be found in the full report.

A key objective of the UCLA COEH is the expansion of the existing Center through extramural funding which enables the Center to broaden its disciplinary base and associated level of activities. The faculty has been successful in leveraging the state funds to establish new, important research directions. A moderate commitment by the State to fund FTEs in occupational health has resulted in substantial extramural funding for the University in a range of disciplines and research areas. Over $20 million dollars in research and training funds contribute to an expanded research agenda that benefits the University, the State and the public.