Student Testimonials
Exploring data. Advancing health. Inspiring future leaders.
Meet Our Students
Students from the Big Data Summer Immersion at Yale share how the program shaped their perspectives on public health and data science. From discovering new tools to envisioning future careers, these stories highlight the power of data to create real-world impact.
Meet Annie
Colby College • Global Studies
Annie reflects on how BDSY reshaped her view of public health data science. With a background in global studies, she explored public health through the lens of data science. She specifically came to BDSY for the applied, mentored projects to get their guidance on navigating graduate programs and her career. Hear Annie share how BDSY has shaped her future career plans.
Meet Jaime
UCLA • Computational & Systems Biology Major
Jaime reflects on how BDSY bridged his biology background with meaningful health interventions while also affirming his connection to his Mexican-American community. Working with his team, he explored genetic links between heart disease and depression, even identifying melatonin as a potential protective factor. The experience inspired him to pursue implementation science as a way to tackle systemic healthcare challenges and better serve communities like his own.
Meet Gabrielle
Smith College • Statistics & Data Sciences Major
Gabrielle reflects on how BDSY reshaped her view of research. With a background in data equity, she explored the origins and applications of patient health data while working on the SUPPORT dataset. The program revealed how collaborative and applied public health research can be, and it encouraged her to pursue graduate education after Smith College.
Meet Anthony
Duke University • Biology Major
Anthony shares how BDSY broadened his view of public health beyond policy, revealing the deep collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and data experts. The experience even sparked his interest in pursuing a Master of Public Health during medical school.
Meet Emma
University of Texas, Austin • Public Health Major
Emma shares how BDSY deepened her understanding of data as a tool to make sense of the real world. Working with her team on pneumococcal infection data from Malawi, she explored how vaccines shape disease trends through advanced modeling methods. The experience equipped her with new skills and inspired her to pursue a research career at the intersection of data science and public health.
Meet Akshay
Harvard University • Statistics Major
Akshay describes how BDSY reshaped his understanding of data in public health. Coming in with limited exposure to real datasets, he learned firsthand how messy and varied data can be—and how much of a biostatistician’s work is making it actionable. The experience also opened his eyes to the central role of math and statistics in public health and inspired him to consider graduate training, possibly a PhD, as the next step in his academic journey.
"My experience in the Big Data Summer Immersion at Yale was an incredibly meaningful part of my summer. Through my research project, I gained hands-on experience applying machine learning and computational methods to genomic data while exploring how these approaches can be used to better understand complex neurological diseases. I especially valued the opportunity to learn from my mentors and collaborate with an amazing group of students who were equally passionate about research. BDSY not only strengthened my technical and research skills, but also gave me a clearer sense of my interest in computational biology and the kind of research I hope to pursue in the future. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this experience possible and for the friendships, mentorship, and memories I will carry with me beyond the program."
Zoey Fang Carleton College
BDSY 2026 - Genetics Research Group
"I entered BDSY unsure of graduate school, and left committed to pursuing biostatistics. Throughout the course of the program, I got to hear inspirational stories from professionals, learn about public health as an interdisciplinary and evolving field, and develop my interests in data science and research. I'm grateful for the experiences, mentors, and peers who have shaped my journey and will continue to influence my career for years to come. "
Tanya Sun UC Berkeley
BDSY 2026 — Electronic Health Records Research Group
“BDSY taught me that data science isn’t just about analyzing patterns—it’s about translating findings into real-world solutions and working across disciplines.”
Quinn Hungerford University of Texas
BDSY 2025 - Causal Inference Group
“I have nothing but great things to say about BDSY! It was an amazing experience to learn more about biostatistics, hear from experts in the field, and work on a research project. Our public health modeling subgroup was very collaborative with research mentors that were so supportive and helpful. Beyond the classroom and research, being around a group of intellectually curious and passionate students was always so inspiring, motivating, and fun.”
Carly Trapeni Connecticut College
BDSY 2025 - Public Health Modeling Group
“BDSY showed me the global reach of public health and the power of collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds. The program opened my eyes to graduate school possibilities and reinforced the value of tying different disciplines together to solve public health problems.”
James Clawson University of California, Los Angeles
BDSY 2025 - Public Health Modeling Group
“BDSY emphasized data equity—making sure all groups are represented in datasets that influence healthcare decisions. Before this program, I was unsure about pursuing graduate school. Now, I’m leaning toward a PhD in biostatistics, with a deeper interest in the diverse research areas it offers.”
Lora LaRochelle Colby College
BDSY 2025 - Public Health Modeling Group
Research by Day,
Comedy by Night
The BDSY experience included more than lectures and datasets. Enjoy these parody videos created by students to celebrate the friendships, challenges, and moments that defined the summer.