Why did you choose the Brown University School of Public Health?

The primary reason I chose Brown was how closely the work being done here matched my research interests, combined with a department culture where the faculty are accessible and invested in student success. Because biostatistics is inherently interdisciplinary, I love having the freedom to take coursework across other departments like applied math and computer science. Brown’s graduate environment is uniquely collaborative and innovative, offering valuable professional development through programs like the Sheridan Center teaching certificates and the Open Graduate Education Program. Beyond the academics, Brown offers an unmatched support system, including a generous stipend and comprehensive benefits, funding for conference travel, and an environment where you can pursue your research interests without competing with peers for funding or access to faculty mentors.

What makes Brown's program different from other programs you considered?

What sets Brown apart from other programs I looked at is how quickly you can dive into research. Because of our small cohort size relative to the number of faculty, reaching out and getting involved with professors whose work interests you is surprisingly seamless compared to larger programs. Being housed directly within a School of Public Health also creates an incredibly collaborative atmosphere, as you’re constantly learning alongside peers in Behavioral and Social Sciences, Epidemiology, and Health Services Research. Brown encourages students to branch out intellectually, especially through taking electives in other fields and a course in a substantive field of application such as genetics, economics, or infectious diseases. 

What do you enjoy most about your program?

I most enjoy the collaborative and welcoming community, both within the department and across the University as a whole. The faculty are all supportive and approachable, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people in my cohort and across the school of public health in other departments. It truly is a place where everyone roots for each other’s success, and the culture is geared toward lifting each other up rather than competing.
 

What is your academic area of interest and why?

My primary research interests lie in causal inference and missing data methods, particularly within statistical data integration and its applications to health policy. In modern public health, data on individuals is increasingly collected across disparate systems, from electronic health records to large observational studies. I'm drawn to the challenge of understanding when and how complete individual profiles can be combined across these sources to enable valid downstream inference. Developing these methods can help us leverage partial information collected across sources to answer complex questions that a single study or source alone couldn’t answer.
 

What are your postgraduate goals/plans?

I plan to pursue a career in an academic or applied research setting where I can develop biostatistical methods that support data-driven decision-making and policy analysis, whether that’s in a university, research institute, or government agency.
 

Why Providence?

Providence is a charming city that’s large enough to offer all the perks of a major city, but small enough to maintain a tight-knit sense of community. It’s incredibly walkable, with grocery stores, local restaurants, and coffee shops nearby no matter which neighborhood you call home. You can easily spend an afternoon walking, running, or biking along the river, exploring the historic tree-lined streets, or hanging out in one of the city's many green spaces. There’s truly nothing like a New England summer and fall (and winter isn't as bad as people make it out to be)!
Beyond walking distance to local parks and waterfront spots, getting around is easy. The RIPTA bus system provides free transit for Brown students throughout Rhode Island, making it easy to go on quick day trips to places like Newport. For farther travel, Boston is an easy train ride away, and New York is accessible via train or bus as well. Brown is also deeply integrated into the local area. It's inspiring to see so many faculty in the School of Public Health actively collaborating on meaningful projects with nearby hospitals and community partners.
 

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant?

Before applying, take time to think about what really matters to you in a graduate program. If you’re pursuing a PhD, research fit should be a top priority, and there should be several faculty you would be excited to work with at the programs you apply to. Beyond that, weigh the importance of the program’s location, cost of living, funding and benefits, required courses and elective offerings, recent alumni outcomes, and departmental culture. My biggest advice is to start your application early and build a strong support system around the process. Have trusted mentors review your materials and talk to students who have gone through the process (like student ambassadors!). Importantly, avoid stressing over online admissions statistics and results and focus less on a department’s ranking or prestige than on how well their program aligns with your priorities and fits your personal and academic goals.