Current Role: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Wellesley College
Education: PhD, Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University; MS, Operations Research, Southern Methodist University; BS & MS, Mathematics, Stephen F. Austin State University
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, to Haitian parents, I spent my formative years in Trinidad and Tobago before relocating to the US in the early 2000s.
As a child, I excelled academically and initially expected to pursue a career in medicine, following in the footsteps of many others in my family. However, in my first year at college, I came to terms with the idea that I was fundamentally ill-suited to be a physician since I could not even stomach on-screen medical dramas. I decided to become an economist, but as I explored the curriculum, my math professors consistently awed me, and I declared as a math major.
I loved math and was keen to find a rewarding career, but my options were not clear. I consulted a book, 101 Careers in Mathematics, to help me chart my course. Based on the results, I briefly explored operations research, followed by an extended period as a lecturer at several higher learning institutions.
While I enjoyed being an educator, I began searching for a way to apply my quantitative skills to more meaningful, real-world challenges. I revisited the career book, focusing on ways to combine math with health. I decided to pursue doctoral training in biostatistics at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I developed a passion for statistics.
My training at VCU included teaching and applying statistics to support researchers at the hospital and medical school, with a primary focus on maternal and child health in the epidemiology department. This experience confirmed that I thrive in an academic environment and my true calling is combining statistics with public health.
Now, as a faculty member at Wellesley College, I take immense pride in mentoring the next cohort of statisticians and data scientists. I am especially excited and proud that many of my students feel inspired to pursue careers in public service.
Your story is amazing, Mrs. Joseph. I am a college student in Sacramento California pursuing BFA (or art) as my undergraduate degree, so later after obtaining my bachelor I can take the MCAT and apply for medical school. I know this sounds like a long path and sometimes not even my own parents seem like they are supportive of my dreams or think I can make it. As a first-generation college student as well, this can be a bit of a tough path for me because I lack certain skills that adults my age have or have gained actually growing up here and getting exposed to the world here in USA. My dream is to combine art and creativity with science and chaos. I know this sounds insane, but I think I am going somewhere with this. I have passion in both Medicine and art creation. I also by doing this want to show that women can in fact, do both! (By that I mean, being a hardworking mother and excel in a fulltime job.) If possible, by this reply, I would like to get in contact with you and know more about you. Maybe if in any areas you would like to educate and help me, I would be more than grateful to take your advise.
Hey Anny just read this. Congratulations!
Love the way you talked about your journey so whomever reads it understands and be spired. Continue to let God lead you and hold on to Him every step of your way, has you inspire the next generation.