A fourth-year PhD candidate in biostatistics at Columbia University, Robert Tumasian III has a full plate. He is writing his dissertation, collaborating on several additional projects, fulfilling his duties as a teaching assistant, and serving as a dedicated volunteer with the American Statistical Association. He is also the founder and president of Columbia University’s ASA Student Chapter and co-chaired the Student and Young Professionals Committee of the ASA’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Outreach Group with Lydia Gibson last year. Be inspired by this candid Q&A with Robert.
Why biostatistics?
I have been drawn to numbers and formulas and how they can be used to address real problems as far back as I can remember. Throughout my middle- and high-school biology classes, I also became captivated by the power and complexity of the human body. This drove me to find a subject that merged mathematics and biomedical science during my undergraduate studies, but I struggled to pinpoint a good fit.
Thankfully, during a summer conference at Harvard, I discovered the perfect harmonizer: biostatistics! This encounter motivated me to explore its many applications, such as the exciting and extensive world of clinical trials, by participating in a wide range of courses and research projects at various institutions.
Currently at Columbia, I have been devoted to learning about clinical trial procedures and the central role statisticians play at every stage of the drug lifecycle, as well as assembling a novel seamless trial design that can assist in accelerating the assessment process and expediting treatment delivery.
My academic journey has solidified my decision to pursue a career in regulatory science through a statistical lens.
What does a typical day look like for you?
As a fourth-year PhD candidate in biostatistics, I have completed all my coursework and passed my qualifying and oral exams, so now I focus heavily on research. Most of my day is reading articles to stay updated on clinical trial methodology, writing papers for publication (including the daunting dissertation), applying for jobs, and fulfilling my teaching assistant responsibilities.
Although my plate is usually overloaded, I try to incorporate a long walk and some music into my daily schedule to clear my head and take a break from the computer screen. Seeing a lot of happy dogs on the street is also uplifting.
Life as a graduate student is not just a major test of your knowledge; it demands exceptional time management. Balancing all my tasks can often be overwhelming, but I have conquered this by keeping my eye on the prize.
What are some skills you have developed by being involved in the ASA?
The ASA has supplied me with countless professional development opportunities that have equipped me with essential interpersonal and communication skills to be successful in the workplace. Attending the 2021 Conference on Statistical Practice enabled me to obtain vital knowledge that has fostered my research aims and career objectives.
Furthermore, through listening to several talks and presenting a portion of my dissertation at the 2022 Joint Statistical Meetings, I was able to gather effective strategies for conveying numerical findings to different audiences. I have also expanded my network of government and industry experts by engaging with the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section and Government Statistics Section.
I want to continue promoting and contributing to the growth of the ASA, and I hope to be elected as an ASA Fellow and serve as ASA president one day.
What are a few takeaways from your experience with the JEDI Outreach Group?
I stumbled upon the JEDI Outreach Group on the ASA website around the fall of 2021. Their mission to enhance diversity across the statistical fields resonates with my values and prompted me to become a member. To fuel creativity and innovation, it is imperative to cultivate welcoming and nonjudgmental spaces that nurture a free exchange of ideas and perspectives from individuals of all backgrounds.
Additionally, there are widespread obstacles to identifying and securing funding for crucial training and research efforts, including for those in marginalized populations, which require immediate action. I have also recognized the importance of advocating for your needs, whether it be on your college campus or your job. You should always stand up for yourself.
Name three reasons to participate in the ASA’s Student & Young Professionals Committee.
Co-chairing the SYPC with Lydia Gibson this year has been really rewarding. First, the committee offers a friendly platform for building strong connections with statisticians and data scientists at all levels and in many spheres. It also offers guidance for navigating a difficult conversation or confronting a certain challenge you may be facing with a peer, coworker, or boss. We encourage everyone to voice their concerns and ask for help without trepidation.
Finally, the SYPC organizes and hosts numerous events tailored to the requests of its membership and frequently partners with the other five JEDI committees. For instance, we have held virtual coffee chats through our Slack channel on such topics as applying to graduate school, soliciting and writing competitive reference letters, and debriefing ASA conference experiences for future improvement.
Name one or two blogs, podcasts, or books you would recommend.
Unfortunately, I do not follow any blogs and cannot recall the last time I read a book for leisure (textbooks have scarred me), but I would definitely recommend tuning into the ASA’s monthly Practical Significance podcast. Hearing the inspirational stories of individuals from different companies within the statistical community has brought many new opportunities to my attention and pushed my aspirations forward.
Though I have not kept up with it, I would also suggest the Freakonomics Radio podcast, which shares pressing information in a relaxed and graspable manner while maintaining the seriousness of the material. Previous episodes have focused on issues such as wage stagnation, college admissions, crypto, and the danger of traffic lights.
Name a few people, living or dead, you would invite to a dinner party.
I wish I could sit down with the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to gain her insights into multiple domestic and international matters and discuss possible solutions together. She was a trailblazer and role model to myriad people, both within and outside the law. I would also invite my mom because she’s always fun to be around. And chef Gordon Ramsey, so he can prepare an incredible meal for us and I can attempt to absorb his culinary expertise.
What is your dream job?
Creating computational strategies to strengthen the evaluation of medical products and serving at the forefront of regulatory science are lifelong goals of mine. My chief career prospect is to join the FDA as a mathematical statistician and grow into a leader at the agency. I hope to collaborate with interdisciplinary public health practitioners there to enrich the design and analysis of clinical trials and contribute to ensuring the safety (including the abuse potential) and efficacy of experimental therapies are measured properly and efficiently.
I am also interested in roles at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. I am passionate about increasing access to substance abuse interventions, and I want to help improve and shepherd critical policies toward preventing and reversing addiction, especially in relation to mitigating the insidious opioid epidemic.
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