Nick Mandarano, a fifth-year PhD student in the Division of Biostatistics, said he surprised himself by finding a passion for infectious disease epidemiology at Ohio State — he’d come to learn more about imaging data, after all.
Mandarano shares why he sees statistics as a critical component to public health advances and how his experience teaching high school math shapes the way he explains complex concepts.
Question:
What inspired you to pursue degrees in biostatistics?
I’ve always loved math, especially statistics. While pursuing my master’s degree at Villanova University, my favorite professor invited me to take his statistical genetics course. It was an amazing class and opened my eyes to the application of statistics to health and medicine, an application that I felt was the most interesting and most important. It was during this course that I began asking my professor about potentially going on for a PhD in biostatistics.
Question:
What public health topics are you most passionate about?
When I began at Ohio State, I thought I’d be most passionate about imaging data and applications to neurology. Fortunately, Ohio State did a great job exposing me to all different areas of research within biostatistics and I surprised myself by falling in love with infectious disease epidemiology and survival analysis.
Question:
What do you enjoy most about being a student at the College of Public Health?
I feel genuinely seen and valued. At a large university, it’s easy to feel like just another number, but the College of Public Health creates a personal, intimate environment. Faculty and staff not only know my name but take the time to know me as a person. Their approach makes students feel important and supported, which has made my experience both welcoming and motivating.
Question:
You were a math teacher before pursing your PhD. Is there anything you learned from that experience that you draw on now in your work?
Teaching students of varying ages and mathematical abilities taught me how to communicate complex concepts in ways that are clear and engaging. I learned to frame math as a story rather than a set of facts to memorize. Translating abstract ideas into accessible narratives has been an immense advantage in presenting statistical concepts, collaborating with colleagues, teaching undergraduate students and mentoring others.
Question:
What is one thing you wish more people know about biostatistics?
What biostatistics is! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve told someone I study biostatistics and the immediate response is, “what’s that?”
Many people are unfamiliar with the field, and fewer understand its critical role in medicine and public health. Rarely would we be face-to-face with individuals directly impacted by our work, but the statistics are a critical component in our advances in medicine and in public health. Our analyses underpin advances in health care, policy and disease prevention. Without biostatistics, many discoveries and interventions wouldn’t be possible.
Question:
What are your goals for the future?
First and foremost, I want to graduate and find a job that allows my soon-to-be wife and I to move back to the Philadelphia area, where we can raise a family – hopefully of great future mathematicians! Professionally, I want to continue to advance knowledge with my research, particularly relating to infectious disease epidemiology. I aim to make meaningful contributions that will leave a lasting impact on humanity.
Question:
What advice would you give to someone interested in a PhD program?
Make sure you love learning at least as much as you love knowing.
