What are our alumni doing?
David Schlueter
Graduation Year: ‘12
Major(s) and minor(s): majors in mathematics and statistics
Post-grad education: Vanderbilt University ‘18, Ph.D. in Biostatistics
Current position: Research Fellow
Employer: National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH
The most helpful aspects of my undergraduate education in mathematics were: The mathematics major at GVSU prepared me for the rigors of graduate school - especially the upper level analysis courses I took at GVSU. Also, the math major really forces logical thinking which translates to all aspects of the scientific research I undertake.
The advice I’d offer to current undergraduate students in mathematics: Your colleagues are your greatest learning resources. Also, everyone experiences failure at some point, but the logical thinking skills that you are developing in your major will help you traverse the uncertainty you will face (if you go to grad school, you will frequently be challenged in this regard). Trust that you are smart enough to persevere through adversity.
In a typical day in my work, I: work as a statistician and data scientist using large biobanks for precision medicine. My work involves statistical analyses of many types using genetic and electronic health record data.
Other thoughts/comments: I will be starting a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Society at the University of Toronto next summer.
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