City of Berkeley, Division of Public Health

Senior Health Management Analyst

What is your educational background?

BS Mathematics, Spelman College. MSE Mathematical Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University. PhD Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley.

What is the best part of what you do?

The work that I do has a direct impact on improving the health and lives of people in the community that I grew up in. I also like having the opportunity to strategize and figure out ways of solving difficult problems—like eliminating health disparities!

Why do you like mathematics and/or statistics?

I love solving puzzles and identifying patterns. Even though I initially did not like statistics (and ironically, that is what I focused on in my graduate studies), I grew to really appreciate it as a science that tries to explain and predict uncertainty (which there is certainly a lot of in life!).

What resources have helped you?

To finish graduate school the resources that were most helpful were: Having peers to share my work with, participating in a dissertation study group, taking a time management class, and a class about how to approach writing a dissertation.

Resources that helped me generally include creating a positive and supportive personal and professional network and learning how to meditate!

What do you like to do for fun?

My favorite thing to do for fun is play with my two nieces. I also love reading and spending time on the beach, hanging out with my partner in life, and having dinner with my friends.

What was the best piece of advice you received?

“You may have to travel the road alone, but you don’t have to be lonely.” Said by my college professor, mentor and friend Dr. Nagambal Shah.

What do most people not know about mathematics/mathematicians?

Let’s see I wear glasses, get excited about school supplies, growing up I looked forward to the end of summer and the start of a new school year, I love Star Trek (especially Generations!), ummm….what was the question again?