Pharmerit North America

Senior Scientist

What is your educational background?

BA Mathematics, Hampton University

PhD Biomathematics, UCLA

What is the best part of what you do?

My job involves performing quantitative analyses to determine the “value” or “cost effectiveness” of pharmaceuticals. There are two best parts. 1) We work with lots of different companies and I get to learn about all kinds of health care topics, diseases, and treatments; and 2) I feel my work has a high social impact given that the cost of health care and, in particular, prescription drugs is a very timely subject in our society.

Why do you like mathematics and/or statistics?

I like math because it requires creativity with constraints. Problem solving is very much an art form, but to come to an effective solution, one must still follow basic principles. It is this challenge that makes math exciting.

What resources have helped you?

Teachers/Professors. They are invaluable resources of knowledge on how to be successful. Listen to what they have to say and apply it where appropriate to your life course.

What do you like to do for fun?

Cooking, crafts, home improvement, etc. Activities like these also require constrained creativity.

What was the best piece of advice you received?

Start saving money as early as possible. In building a nest egg, time is your best friend.

What do most people not know about mathematics/mathematicians?

A degree in mathematics enables one to do more than teach, and not all mathematicians aspire to be teachers.