Meet Our Students

Alumni Profiles

Rachel Isaksson never thought she would end up in her dream job immediately after graduation in Spring 2008. Yet, that’s exactly what happened when she landed a position as a research fellow for SPH professor Chap Le at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center.

“I wanted to be consulting for and collaborating with doctors who are working to understand and improve patient care, and that’s exactly what I’m doing,” she says. “I love this job.”

Isaksson, who earned an M.S. in biostatistics in May, spends her days designing experiments and analyzing data. “The best part of my job is that every week there’s something new and challenging,” she says.

Had Internship at CCBR

As a student, Isaksson received an assistantship in the Coordinating Centers for Biometric Research (CCBR). She says her work in the CCBR helped prepare her for her current role. “It was a good fit for me,” she says.

“I worked for SPH professor Jim Neaton and was immersed in research and statistical programming for two years.” She adds that Neaton, along with the rest of the CCBR staff, was very supportive.

Shortly before graduating, Isaksson received the James R. Boen Graduate Award in recognition of her achievements.

“I am thankful my coursework and research experiences were demanding as I utilize the skills I learned every day,” she says.

Burc Barin

Burc Barin, a native of Cyprus, arrived at the University of Kansas in 1997 for undergraduate studies in mathematics. He then went on to the University of Minnesota for graduate work.

At the U, he learned about SPH’s Biostatistics program. The idea of using his skills to help improve human health was enticing.

“I liked the quantitative discipline, but I wanted to apply it to a meaningful branch,” says Barin, who received an M.S. in mathematics in 2003, and an M.S. in Biostatistics in 2004.

Grounded in Theory

His coursework included training in statistical packages and he had an assistantship at the department’s Coordinating Centers for Biometric Research. The grounding in strong theoretical knowledge and the opportunity for hands-on practical experience served him well.

Barin now works as a statistician at the EMMES Corporation in Rockville, Maryland, where he helps design studies, monitor patient safety and data quality, and interprets and presents data.

“Programming for long hours and analyzing large amounts of data can be overwhelming,” Barin says. “Knowing that it will be used for a good cause motivates me.”