My name is Willi Artman, and I am a Math major at the University of Rochester with a minor in Japanese. After I graduate in Spring 2016, I plan to go to graduate school in Biostatistics and Public Health in either the US or Japan. My goal is to study biostatistics so that I can help improve the understanding and treatment of diseases. I also would like to work on increasing access to health care by improving the design and analyses of clinical trials. Providing solid and convincing evidence for a given intervention increases the likelihood of insurance and governmental support. My background in math will enable me to understand how to choose the appropriate statistical analysis for a given study.

My name is Sergio Barrera ‘16. I was born in Sierra Vista Arizona, and prior to beginning my studies I served five years in the United States Marine Corps. I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a double major in mathematics and economics, and a minor in philosophy at the University of Arizona. I am very interested in math and statistics and I spend my time outside of class helping other students who are struggling with math as an undergraduate teaching assistant. After graduating in the spring of 2016, I plan on pursuing a PhD in Statistics so that I can ultimately become a statistician and perform academic research in this field and use statistics to solve real world problems.

Cassandra Burdziak is a junior majoring in Biomathematics and minoring in Cognitive Science at Rutgers University. Following her graduation in May 2016, she plans to attend a doctoral program in quantitative and computational biology. She is particularly interested in mathematical approaches to studying disease markers and other functional elements within the human genome, and wishes to pursue this area of research beyond her Ph.D. with a career as a university faculty member. She hopes that her future research endeavors will provide new insights into the genetic underpinnings of human traits and diseases.

My name is Randy Davila. I am majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California, Davis. I am aiming to graduate for Fall 2016, possibly Winter 2017, and I would pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology after I graduate. My main goal is to learn more beyond the field of medicine and understand large-scale data analysis in regards to mental health ranging from drug abuse to domestic violence. Although as an undergraduate I am mostly focusing in physiological and neuronal basis of mental health, I would like to continue increasing my knowledge in quantitative analysis and measures to become a better physician and advocate in my community.

My name is Kevin Kupiec and I am expected to graduate from Lake Forest College in May of 2017. I am currently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Mathematics with a minor in Music. Due to my strong passion for math and the environment, I currently plan on pursuing a doctoral degree in biostatistics with an intention to impact public and environmental health to assist in constructing a brighter future for the planet and all of its residents.

My name is Andrea Lane and I am majoring in biostatistics and mathematics at UNC-Chapel Hill. After I graduate in May 2016, I plan to pursue a PhD in biostatistics. Ultimately, I would like to work in a research environment investigating any of the many pressing public health issues. I have always enjoyed mathematics and I love that biostatistics uses mathematical and statistical concepts to positively impact the world. Outside of my studies, I enjoy playing percussion, attending concerts, and watching Tar Heel basketball!

My name is Rolando J. Acosta Nuñez, I am twenty years old and original from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Some of my hobbies are playing sports, programming and searching for YouTube videos about things of interest. Currently, I am in my junior year of a Bachelors of Science in Computational Mathematics at the University of Puerto Rico – Humacao Campus. If everything goes well, I should graduate in May 2016. I planned to apply for a PhD in biostatistics to different schools and ultimately my goal is to end up with a PhD in the field and then decide if I want to stay in academia or join the industry.

My name is Jennifer Osei. I graduated from Cornell University in 2014 majoring in Biological Sciences, while concentrating in Computational Biology. During my undergraduate studies, I enjoyed understanding principles of health and medicine while applying statistical methods to novel questions. Discovering socioeconomic, environmental, and genetic links to medical conditions through statistical studies was rewarding and further expanded my interest in biostatistics and computational biology. I deeply appreciate and value information obtained from scientific data as they are the keys to unlocking future scientific and medical findings. I wish to broaden my understanding of current computational biology techniques and applications through the summer program to gain insight into graduate school and to assist me in my desire to pursue graduate studies as a MD and PhD in Biostatistics.

My name is Nathalie Quiroz and I am from the Bronx, New York. I am currently a senior pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Stony Brook University. I graduated in May 2015. After completing my Bachelors of Science, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health. I would like to focus on epidemiology. Epidemiology is a field that highly interests me because it is a field that allows me to use my statistical and analytical background to make a difference in the health field. My career aspiration is to help find cures to prevalent diseases and heath problems using math applications.

My name is Emily Roberts. I am currently pursuing a BA in mathematics and psychology at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA and anticipate graduating with honors in 2016. I have long loved studying human behavior and mathematics, and found my ideal meeting point in Biostatistics. After confirming my desire to pursue biostatistics last summer at Columbia’s Summer Institute in Biostatistics, I am excited to continue my passions and learn more this summer. I plan to earn a PhD in Biostatistics after graduation and work to lead a team at a research hospital or research center, specifically in diabetes or childhood research.

My name is Randy Williams ’15 and I am a Math major at Fordham University. Throughout my academic career, I have always been fascinated by how mathematics can be used to model natural processes and make real world predictions. My previous research experience in statistical genetics at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health helped me develop an interest in biostatistics and public health research. Biostatistics presents way for me to identify patterns in data and make inferences, which could lead to life saving measures. Ultimately, I want to pursue a PhD in Biostatistics and conduct research in academia. I hope get more exposure to biostatistical research so I can further to pursue my passion in the field and refine my research skills.

PROGRAM POST-BACS

Kamrine Poels earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Minors in Biochemistry and Spanish at the University of Arizona in 2014. She is currently a Research Scholar student at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a student researcher at Dana Farber Cancer Institute with advisors John Quackenbush and Kimberly Glass. Her current research involves the analysis of biological networks of different breast cancer molecular subtypes. She is planning to pursue her doctorate degree in Biostatistics.

Felicia Gibson ’15 earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Arizona State University in 2015. In addition to her academic achievements she is well traveled and has supported community outreach projects for the last five years. Her major provided her opportunities to work with senior faculty and professors who supported her with invaluable mentorship. During her senior year she was provided the chance to take purposeful classes, including mathematical modeling and linear optimization. The Capstone Research Project on HPV helped develop her interest of integrating disciplines. The professors of these classes, and the classes themselves, inspired her to pursue her Ph.D., and in the long run focus on meaningful contribution to the research of disease prevention.