This statistician is saving lives with math | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A biostatistician from an disadvantaged background in Africa shares her journey of overcoming obstacles to make a global impact in healthcare research.

Key Insights

• 🎵 The head of the biostatistics department at Caprisa plays a critical role in conducting research on TD and HIV, providing expertise from the conception of a study to the final analysis.
• 👣 Growing up in Moi River, a small city in KwaZulu-Natal, the speaker faced challenges such as walking barefoot to school and studying without electricity, but learned to overcome obstacles through improvisation.
• 📚 Despite coming from a disadvantaged background, the speaker was able to pursue education by attending a community college to upgrade their math and science results, eventually excelling in academics.
• 🔬 Alongside academic achievements, the speaker has also mentored and inspired young girls to pursue careers in science, showcasing the ability to make a positive impact beyond personal accomplishments.
• 🚀 The speaker aims to build research capacity in Africa, challenging the stereotype that impactful research is only done in the U.S. or Europe, and emphasizing African contributions to improving lives globally.
• 💪 By showcasing African expertise on a global level, the speaker seeks to dispel the belief that all impactful research is exclusive to the U.S. or Europe, highlighting the potential for African researchers to make a difference.
• 🌍 The speaker's work in biostatistics contributes to crucial decision-making for vaccines and treatments, proving instrumental in determining their effectiveness and overall impact on public health.
• 📊 The diligent work of biostatisticians like the speaker at Caprisa ultimately provides the necessary data to evaluate the success and impact of various studies, playing a crucial role in advancing healthcare research.

Transcript

foreign the head of the biostatistics department at caprisa we conduct research mainly around TD and HIV we play a critical role as post a decision because our expertise are needed from the conception of a study and when the study eventually comes to an end those final numbers regarding whether this vaccine works this treatment is effective or not ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What role do biostatisticians play in healthcare research?

Biostatisticians play a crucial role in healthcare research as they provide expertise in study design, data analysis, and interpretation, ultimately determining the effectiveness of treatments and vaccines.

Q: How did the biostatistician overcome the challenges of her disadvantaged background?

The biostatistician faced challenges such as lack of electricity and resources, but she learned to improvise and prioritize studying. She also took the opportunity to upgrade her math and science results at a community college, dedicating an extra year to her education.

Q: Beyond academic achievements, what other impact has the biostatistician made?

In addition to her academic success, the biostatistician has actively mentored and motivated young girls to pursue careers in science. She aims to dispel the stereotype that impactful research is only done in the US or Europe and showcases the capacity of Africans to make a global impact.

Q: What message does the biostatistician hope to convey by sharing her journey?

By sharing her journey, the biostatistician aims to inspire and motivate others to overcome their own challenges and pursue their passions. She also wants to highlight the capacity for impactful research in Africa, dispelling the notion that it is solely accomplished in the US or Europe.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The head of the biostatistics department at CAPRISA discusses the critical role of biostatisticians in healthcare research.

• Growing up in a disadvantaged background, she faced challenges in accessing education but persevered to pursue a career in science.

• In addition to her academic achievements, she actively mentors and inspires young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.