Lauren Gunn-Sandell is a PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics & Informatics at the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus.
What led you to choose the ColoradoSPH Biostatistics & Informatics Department for your PhD studies?
I completed my MPH in Epidemiology at ColoradoSPH and absolutely loved my BIOS courses, the faculty in the department, and the overall research community at CSPH and AMC. I was fortunate to get a position in research at the university after graduation, and my time in that position solidified my desire to pursue a career (and further education) in biostatistics. The BIOS department is a positive, collaborative, and supportive environment for students, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that community. That was a key reason that I applied to this PhD program, and I'm grateful I did!
Why did you choose to study biostatistics?
In my previous work and educational experiences, I gravitated towards roles requiring discipline, analytic thinking, and collaboration. When thinking about my long-term career, I want to contribute to improving outcomes for others and play a role in moving research forward. I enjoy working on interdisciplinary teams and solving problems, so biostatistics is the perfect intersection of these characteristics.
What has been your favorite class so far?
I'm in my first year so I have not taken many classes yet. But I have enjoyed the Advanced Biostatistical Methods sequence because we've had several projects where we apply common biostatistical methods to research areas of our choice. It is nice to be creative and incorporate new knowledge.
How would you describe the student community in the department?
My cohort of students is well connected and very social. We have a great rapport with each other and enjoy seeing each other in the classroom and outside of school. I have enjoyed meeting students in other years, and they have been really kind in sharing wisdom.
Tell us about a project you are currently working on that you are excited about.
I am currently working on a project for the second semester methods class where we could select any method covered in the course and apply to data of our choice. I have been interested in survival methods, so I selected a time to event outcome and have been able to work through the data management and analysis that we covered earlier in the semester. I enjoy being able to learn about a topic and then immediately work through the programming and apply it to a realistic problem, similar to what we would see as a research biostatistician.
What advice would you give to prospective students applying to this program?
I would suggest that students get a feel for statistical programming, if they haven't already, to be sure they enjoy solving data management tasks and harmonizing data in preparation for analysis. This is a key skill to have for coursework and for real research positions. I would also suggest that students reach out to their peers early in the program and establish connections to help keep them supported as coursework ramps up.
What do you like to do outside of research? Or What do you like about living in Colorado?
Outside of research, I play tennis, go for walks and hikes with friends, and thrifting throughout the Denver area. I also love trying new restaurants and coffee shops, going to the ballet, cooking, and hosting game nights. Colorado offers incredible weather, gorgeous scenery, and a relaxed city experience. It's a great place to call home.
