Why did you choose BU School of Public Health and the MS in Public Health Data Science?

I wanted to attend a research-oriented master’s program, and the MS in Epidemiology was a great fit. I liked that the classes were designed to build off each other for a cohesive academic experience. BUSPH has such breadth and depth in different research topics and I was eager to be exposed to different ideas and research methods. I had worked in clinical research at a Boston hospital before applying and knew that being in Boston would provide a plethora of public health opportunities.

Why Public Health?

I’ve always loved science and public health felt like a good balance of different disciplines that would allow me to be in the scientific sphere while also having opportunities to inform policy. Public health has really come into the public view during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I hope it is widely recognized as the essential field that it is.

How have the faculty helped make your experience exceptional?

The faculty here have been so welcoming from the beginning of my application process to now being a student. They’re dedicated to mentorship and making sure that experiences in their classes and assisting with their research are useful and meaningful. I’ve really enjoyed taking Dr. Ann Aschengrau’s Introduction to Epidemiology course this semester and am completing my Mentored Research Experience with her as well. My research project examines the association between adverse childhood events and sleep disorders in adulthood, potentially mediated by PTSD, depression, and anxiety, using data from the second phase of her Cape Cod cohort study.

What do you plan to do with your degree once you graduate?

I plan to pursue a PhD and focus on mental health research. The skills I’ve gained during my MS, particularly methods and biostatistics training, will serve me well during this next step.