This month, we spotlight new member and University of Louisville PhD student Apsara Pitigalaarachchi, who answered the following questions so we could get to know her better.
How did you become interested in statistics and/or data science?
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by mathematics. Since my school days, I’ve enjoyed solving intricate mathematical problems. At university, I decided to specialize in statistics because, with statistics, I saw better opportunities to use my analytical knowledge to solve problems of practical interest. After enrolling at the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka, I was selected through a highly competitive process to pursue a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in statistics. After completing my undergraduate degree, I worked as an instructor at several academic institutions before joining the International Institute of Health Sciences in Sri Lanka, which offers healthcare-related programs. At IIHS, I applied my statistical expertise to practical healthcare scenarios and participated in international workshops, including the International Week at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland. While working, I developed a strong interest in biostatistics, which led me to pursue and complete an MS in biostatistics and transition fully into the biostatistics field. I am currently pursuing a PhD in biostatistics at the University of Louisville.
What do you consider your dream job?
My dream job is to become a university professor, where I can share my knowledge with students, guide them in their academic growth, and engage in meaningful research. I hope to collaborate with students and colleagues on data analysis and research projects that contribute to society.
What do you hope understanding statistics and/or data science helps you accomplish?
Understanding statistics/biostatistics enables me to relate analytical techniques to practical healthcare issues and support studies that enhance public health and patient outcomes.
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobbies are listening to music, singing, and spending time in nature.
If you are a new member interested in being featured, email ASA Communications Manager Megan Murphy.
Welcome to Our Newest Members
Enock Kumi Ackaah
Franklina Addae
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Manal Aditi
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William Ofosu Agyapong
Ken A. Aho
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Robert McNutt
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Nirali Nishant Mehta
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Jeff Okamoto
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Yumo Peng
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Rajender Radharam
Maisha Maliha Rahman
Mohan Ram
Uma Ravat
Connor Reed
Zewei Ren
Benjamin Risk
Miguel Rocha Malaga
Eric Rose
Arkajyoti Saha
Martin Salgado-Flores
Sarah Samad
Sanatan Saraf
Christina Tripp Saunders
Ethan Matthew Schneider
Aubrey Schrameck
Bernard Sefah
Ian Sequeira
Premkumar Sethumadhavan
Daniel K. Sewell
Noah Bradley Shaffer
Bilal A. Shaikh
Lulu Shang
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Arun Sharma
Tamaryn Lee Shaw
Qinyan Shen
Xinyu Shi
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Amy Shui
Eli Simon
Micah Snook
Minyoung So
Sidra Sohail
Thomas Barber Stockton
Eric Sun
Jimmy Sun
Ke Sun
Shan Sun-Mitchell
Iyue Sung
Junhyoun Sung
Ram Suresh
Susan Switzer
Jonathan D. Ta
Anna Takai
Qianwen Tan
Chin-Sheng Teng
Terri Burdette Torres
Oliver K. Totic
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