Master’s degree in Social Data Analytics
Bachelor’s degree in Economics
Research Assistant for the Texas Schools Project and the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas
Windsor, Colorado
What do you do?
I will be starting as a Ph.D. student at Stanford University in the upcoming fall semester, studying health policy and health economics. In my career, I plan to conduct research to help improve health outcomes in low-resource settings in and outside of the United States. I am especially interested in examining the supply and demand factors that determine the availability and use of vaccines and other preventative technologies. So far, I love most aspects of research that I have encountered, but my favorite part is the process of analyzing data and communicating the results to an audience through text or visuals. While I knew early in my undergraduate education that I wanted to be in policy work, I considered a variety of different paths including law school and medical school before discovering my interest in research. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work in a few different research labs including the Texas Schools Project and the Center for BrainHealth at UTD and I can no longer see myself doing anything else.
How has your EPPS education informed your work?
As an EPPS student, I learned many different skills that I currently use as a research assistant and that I anticipate using in the upcoming years and in my career. Since I am continuing my focus on economics in my Ph.D., the foundational knowledge I obtained during my bachelor’s degree will be vital. Furthermore, the experience with statistics, coding, and conducting research that I gained through my master’s degree will be incredibly useful as I prepare for a research career.
Are there lessons learned at UT Dallas upon which you still rely? Mentors or classmates with whom you’ve remained in contact or remember fondly?
The biggest impact that my time in EPPS has had on my life and work is through the amazing mentors I have worked with and learned from. Since my freshman year, I have had many faculty role models within the Economics department and the school of EPPS. Over time, these mentors have helped me become a better person, a better student, and a better researcher. From providing invaluable advice and support while I was writing my undergraduate thesis, to helping me get involved in policy-focused research on campus, to supporting me through every step of the application process for my Ph.D., I can’t imagine having made it to where I am today without the many influential faculty members I have had the honor of knowing.
Professional Honors and Recognition
Vibhooti Shukla Graduate Fellowship AwardVibhooti Shukla Graduate Fellowship Award
Issued by The University of Texas at Dallas · Aug 2022
Arthur A. Smith Scholarship Award Winner
Arthur A. Smith Scholarship Award WinnerIssued by Dallas Area Business Economists · Jun 2021
What advice would you give current and future EPPS students?
Take advantage of the fact that EPPS is a relatively small school when it comes to getting to know faculty members. In my experience, many of the other schools on campus have far more students than faculty members have time to get to know so it is difficult to connect with one person, much less many of them. In contrast, I have always found that EPPS faculty members are willing to share their time and energy with students who are passionate about their learning.