“Through their hands-on data science training, attentive and knowledgeable instruction team, and rigorous research project, LA’s BEST provided me with the experience necessary to succeed in my career and in my MS program.”
- Nicholas Ortega, Class of 2019
“The LA’s BeST program gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion for biostatistics, something I never thought possible as an older, non-traditional student. My academic journey has been anything but linear, and over the years, I had to set aside or sacrifice certain interests due to time and financial constraints. This program not only provided me with valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in biostatistics and research, but it also uplifted me as a student who has faced financial hardships. I felt truly welcomed and supported, even when I lacked some of the technical background. Thanks to this experience, I am now more confident in my path and plan to pursue an MS in Biostatistics, applying my skills to the field of public health.”
- Karli Pratt-Jones, Class of 2024
“My time at USCs BeST program was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I was able to learn so much and work with amazing people, many of whom I still talk to today. I was able to dive into programming and how to apply it. It made me a lot more comfortable in my graduate studies when it came to programming.”
- Marco Toledo, Class of 2023
“LA’s Best cemented my interest in biostatistics and working with data. The program allowed me to gain valuable experience in working with data which kickstarted started my journey into a career working with public health data.”
- Edwin Aguilar, Class of 2022
“LA’s BEST introduced me to an entire field I didn’t know existed! I greatly benefitted from the caliber of teaching assistants and guest speakers and professors they equipped the program with! Because of this program, I went on to get my MPH in Epidemiology and am hoping to enter the field of data science!“
- Jaylah Goodson, Class of 2021
“LA’s BEST @ USC opened up a world of Biostatistics that I had no ideas existed! Not only was I able to put theoretical concepts into practice, I met so many other eager students passionate about public health and equitable systems of analysis. Would thoroughly recommend LA’s BEST for anybody wanting to learn more about applied math within human subjects data… in other words, Biostatistics!”
- Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga, Class of 2024
“I’m thankful to LA’s BeST faculty and staff for paving the way for my biostatistics journey. It being a newer field, students may feel unsure or not aware of all the opportunities out there that want students like us. After being a member of the program in summer 2023, it led me to want to deep dive into more biostatistics research.
Throughout my junior year, I conducted research with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) working on a newly developed meta population mixture model. … The science communication and data translation is what really stood out to me during this whole process.
The summer after my junior year, I landed an internship at Guidehouse, in their Health and Human Services department. I was able to bring my biostatistics/public health background into a room full of business professionals, and I can’t help but think of how the LA’s BeST program was able to fuel my passion into the subject and get me to where I am now!”
- Monelli Esfandiary, Class of 2023
“LA’s BeST was an amazing experience that allowed me to meet amazing students, faculty, and researchers while at the same time allowing me to explore my love for statistics!”
- Daniel Do, Class of 2024
“A wonderful experience with memorable people and a great experience to live in the dorms! Highly recommend! You create stronger connections and have the chance to be somewhere new! Many fun trips as well as educational opportunities. Make friends, have a great time, and learn most of all! We make it to this programs since we were meant to be there and deserve it! Definitely helped me to have tried multiple research programs/ data science opportunities like Datafest prior to enrolling in La’s Best! Loved my experience and miss my cohort! Have a great time future cohorts!!”
- Alondra Gonzalez, Class of 2024
“LA’s BEST was a great experience! I learned so much from the professors and each session. I also loved my cohort group. Everyone was so driven about their passions. It was a very collaborative program, and led me to meet some of my closest friends too. So grateful for all of the skills, experiences, and people I have met!”
- Amanda Concepcion, Class of 2024
“The LA’s BEST @ USC internship provided invaluable hands-on experience in data science by engaging with ongoing clinical research studies. Throughout the program, we gained insight into the skills and knowledge expected of aspiring data scientists. The internship offered practical training in statistical analysis software and data analysis techniques, both of which are essential in real-world careers.
This experience played a crucial role in helping me secure my current position as a data analyst by equipping me with the technical and analytical skills employers seek. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in data-related fields, as it not only enhances technical expertise but also fosters meaningful professional connections. The opportunity to collaborate with a network of professionals in the scientific community further enriched my learning experience.“
- Samira Shaikh, Class of 2019
“LA’s BeST @ USC truly paved the path for my current and future endeavors, and I would encourage all students interested in biostatistics to apply and participate in the program!”
- Daniel Rud, Class of 2019