Ella Hagopian is a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics & Informatics at the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz.
MS in Biostatistics, ColoradoSPH, CU Anschutz.
MS Thesis: “Viability of sequence balance minimization and information sharing as a doubly adaptive trial design.”
BA in Analytical Public Health, Statistics concentration, St. Olaf College.
Thesis Adviser: Alex Kaizer, PhD
Possible PhD Thesis Title: “Covariate-adaptive randomization and information-sharing innovations in adaptive clinical trial designs.”
Research Interests: adaptive clinical trial designs, covariate-adaptive randomization, information sharing.
What led you to choose the ColoradoSPH Biostatistics & Informatics Department for your PhD studies?
I chose the ColoradoSPH biostatistics department because I felt like my research interests aligned with several faculty members, and I thought the classes would be a good balance of theory and application. I was also interested in living in Colorado and exploring the mountains.
Why did you choose to study biostatistics?
I feel like I stumbled upon biostatistics for the same reason many others did. I was interested in medicine and public health, but not necessarily in a clinical role. I also always enjoyed and did well in math classes. Biostatistics is the ideal intersection of these interests with the added bonus of being able to contribute to work that can positively impact health outcomes.
What has been your favorite class so far?
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I really liked Theory II. It pulled together a lot of what we had already learned in and let me understand what was going on “under the hood”. It was very gratifying to be able to connect the dots, and it gave me a strong foundation for research and future classes.
How would you describe the student community in the department?
The student community is very collaborative! Everyone is very smart and very willing to help, whether that means studying for exams together or troubleshooting research roadblocks. I feel lucky to be part of such a supportive and welcoming group.
Tell us about a project you are currently working on that you are excited about.
I am currently working on a new covariate-adaptive randomization approach that will hopefully allow for more flexibility than some of the more traditional methods that are out there.
What advice would you give to prospective students applying to this program?
Brush up on your linear algebra and calculus if it’s been a while. Come in with an open mind about potential research directions. Take time to explore Colorado!
What do you like to do outside of research? Or What do you like about living in Colorado?
Having lived in the Midwest and Northeast, I’ve found that Colorado has the most access to outdoor fun by far. It’s been fun to ski, hike, play tennis, and run in the abundance of sunshine and nature. I also knit and read in my downtime. I appreciate the department’s culture of supporting work-life balance that makes it easier to pursue all my interests.