MPH student Valentina Paralitici says the School of Public Health’s Biostatistics concentration helped develop in her a passion for coding and skills that she is using to lay the foundation for an impactful career in public health.
Name: Valentina Paralitici
Hometown: Hiram, Georgia
Undergraduate degree and institution: I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Central Florida.
Expected date of graduation: Summer 2024
Why did you choose the Georgia State School of Public Health?
I chose Georgia State University’s School of Public Health for its robust public health program and its focus on community engagement and diversity.
Which MPH concentration did you choose, and why?
I chose Biostatistics as my concentration after engaging with Georgia State biostatistics professors whose commitment to student learning made the classes interesting and challenging. It was also my first exposure to SAS and statistical software, and it helped develop in me a real passion for coding.
What has been your favorite class in the SPH so far, and why?
It would be difficult to choose a favorite class because they have spanned such diverse topics, but I would have to say “Categorical Data and Generalized Linear Models.” What I learned in that class has been the most applicable to my research. Without that class, I would have found my thesis work much more difficult.
What advice would you give undergraduate students considering pursing an MPH at Georgia State?
My best advice to undergraduates would be to be open to challenging yourself and you may just find a passion for something you would have never expected. I learned to code two years ago, and now I am building a career in public health out of my skills because I challenged myself to work hard and learn from those around me.
Tell us about your campus involvement?
I was a Graduate Research Assistant for the Biostatistics Lab, helping students with SAS and Biostatistics I and II. I am currently working with professors at the Prevention Research Center on multiple projects including the Mental Health Alliance, which provides mental health care access to vulnerable refugee, immigrant and migrant (RIM) populations.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and why?
The Biostatistics Lab in the Urban Life Building is my favorite place on campus. It’s quiet and it has all the software I need to work.
What’s your career aspiration?
Right now, I am considering Ph.D. programs in public health policy research. I hope to continue working with refugee, immigrant and migrant populations in Georgia and continue my research in structural racism and health equity.