Alumni Profiles
MPH Biostatistics
Kat Schmidt
Kat Schmidt is a former (but never reformed) parasitologist, currently working as a biostatistician at the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF). She is broadly interested in using data-driven approaches to solve pressing public health issues, especially in infectious disease research. Prior to working at HJF, she received the Michael Milken Public Health Scholar Award from the George Washington University, where she completed her MPH in Biostatistics (May 2022). She earned her B.S. in microbiology from the University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA), and worked at the Oregon Health and Science University studying parasitic protozoa, before making the transition to biostatistics.
Current Research Projects
- Utilizing statistical and machine learning techniques to describe post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (a.k.a. “long COVID”)
- Epidemiological surveillance and forecast modeling of respiratory pathogens
- Comparison of different anthropometric parameters as predictors of incident diabetes and cardiometabolic pathology post-COVID-19
- Validation of different diagnostic methods for identifying infectious SARS-CoV-2 cases
Pallavi Dwivedi
I completed an MPH in Biostatistics from the Milken Institute of Public Health in January 2018. I was a researcher at a Biology Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health prior to joining the MPH program at GWU. The MPH program was instrumental in setting up the foundation of my career in public health. The program is very well-structured to ensure a gradual learning curve for key concepts in Biostatistics and Epidemiology. My Practicum and Culminating Experience at Population Reference Bureau gave me the opportunity to apply these concepts to a real-life project. I did my Practicum and CE under the supervision of Dr. Heather Hoffman. The classroom sessions were interactive and all the faculty members are very knowledgeable, kind and approachable whenever any student has queries regarding the content being taught in the class. I enjoyed every moment of my learning experience at the Milken Institute of Public Health. Dr. Heather Hoffman and Dr. Dante Verme have also been very helpful to me post-graduation. I am currently employed at Johns Hopkins University as a Senior Research Data Analyst.
Rebecca Hartman
I currently work as a Statistical Analyst in the Division of Biostatistics at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA, where I perform statistical analyses for various studies conducted across the University, many of which involve cancer research due to Jefferson’s NCI-designated cancer center. I also guide the development of database management systems to ensure high-quality data collection by researchers and collaborate on larger projects with outside institutions. One notable project is an RCT in India studying treatments for moderate anemia in pregnancy and their impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes. My contributions include developing reports, performing interim analyses, and traveling to India to meet the research team, observe data collection at community health centers, and engage with community members facilitating the research. This experience offered valuable insight into the research process, providing a unique perspective on the studies I support.
My interest in biostatistics began during my undergraduate studies, where I majored in biology and minored in statistics. The practical skills and strong foundation in study design that I gained through the MPH Biostatistics program at GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health have been instrumental in my career. The program’s focus on data management, analysis, and real-world application through the practicum allowed me to intern at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, where I gained insight into public health research in a non-profit setting. The dedicated professors and comprehensive curriculum at GWSPH prepared me to guide investigators in their research, uphold high standards for scientific inquiry, and find a meaningful path in biostatistics. My time at GWSPH was an invaluable experience that has shaped my professional journey.
Andi Li
Andi Li is currently working as a Statistical Programmer/Analyst at ClinChoice Inc., a full- service contract research organization specializing in clinical development and functional service support. Her work primarily focuses on clinical trials and oncology studies, where she applies her biostatistics expertise to improve data-driven decision-making. She has successfully applied the knowledge and skills gained during her biostatistics studies to a variety of impactful projects. In her role, Andi plays a key part in leading the data analysis for clinical trials, overseeing data cleaning, conducting in-depth analyses, and generating comprehensive reports used for regulatory submissions. Before joining ClinChoice, Andi received her Master of Public Health in Biostatistics from George Washington University in May 2022, and earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Delaware. During her time at GWU, she specialized in statistical programming and developed a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied biostatistics. Her academic journey was enriched by her participation in research projects, including the Community Research Partnership and a study on the relationship between cannabis use and subjective cognitive decline, further honing her analytical skills and practical expertise in biostatistics.
Brendan Phillips
Brendan Phillips is a Research Analyst at GiveWell, a nonprofit dedicated to finding outstanding giving opportunities and publishing the full details of their analysis to help donors decide where to give. GiveWell conducts in-depth research to determine how much good a given program accomplishes per dollar spent, directing funding to the most cost-effective programs. Brendan received his Master of Public Health in Biostatistics from George Washington University in August, 2024 and holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland.
Fayssal Ali
Fayssal Ali is a Data Analyst with VPD Government Solutions, providing data and research consultation to the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) within HHS. He specializes in clinical research, statistical modeling and data visualization. Fayssal recently worked as a research assistant with the Rahnavard Lab at George Washington University, where he contributed to a publication studying the effects of sleeve gastrectomy on adolescents. Prior to this, he worked as a data science intern at Teladoc Health, supporting their chronic care products. Fayssal also has five years of experience as a clinical laboratory scientist at the University of Maryland Medical Center, which allows him to combine his strong healthcare background with his technical skills to deliver effective data solutions. Fayssal completed his MPH in Biostatistics from George Washington University and has a BS from the University of Maryland.
Jennifer Harmon
Since graduating with a MPH in Biostatistics from GW, Jennifer has been pursuing an MS in Clinical and Translational Research with a concentration in clinical trials at Georgetown University. After Jennifer completes her degree at Georgetown, she is hoping to continue her education to work in academic medicine to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and practical clinical applications to enhance the impact of medical research on patient lives and community health.
Jennifer is also deeply involved with Hearts for the Homeless International, where she recently took on the role of Research Director. Her journey with H4H actually began at GW, where she founded and served as President of the university chapter from September 2023 to January 2025. That experience led to her current role with the international organization, where Jennifer previously served as an Associate Research Program Coordinator from April 2024 to January 2025. In Jennifer’s current role, she supervises public health and clinical research focused on cardiovascular health in homeless and underserved populations across the United States and around the world. Jennifer is incredibly passionate about teaching students how to develop their research study and design, implement interventions, collect data, manage and clean data for research, and how to conduct proper statistical analysis. Jennifer finds this educational component especially rewarding as she helps to develop the next generation of researchers/doctors/academics. Jennifer is currently spearheading H4H's first peer-reviewed journal and remains connected to the GW community as an alumni advisor for the H4H chapter. She is leading a project with GW students – an educational course in partnership with Friendship Place to give unhoused community members tools to understand and control their heart health. Jennifer was lucky enough to secure funding for this program through the Nashman Center in December right before graduating.
Nairuti Dave
Nairuti Dave is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Nephrology at the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, where she oversees the coordination of clinical trials, including participant screening, data analysis, and regulatory documentation. She recently joined the Maryland Department of Health to contribute to infectious disease surveillance and public health research at the state level. She earned her Master of Public Health in Biostatistics from the Milken Institute School of Public Health, where she served as a Graduate Assistant at the Office of Research Excellence and as an Instructional Assistant for PUBH 6853: Data Management Using SAS. Her time at GW Milken was transformative, cultivating her analytical mindset, deepening her passion for data-driven inquiry, and equipping her with the confidence to apply statistical methods to complex public health challenges. Beyond her academic responsibilities at GW, Nairuti engaged in impactful research internships focused on mental health, health behavior, and infectious disease prevention. Her work involved building scalable survey tools, analyzing population-level data, and delivering data-driven insights through interactive dashboards and reports for both technical and non-technical audiences. Before transitioning to public health research, Nairuti practiced as an Assistant Lecturer and Public health Dentist in a Dental School in India. She led a nonprofit oral health center, delivered more than 5,000 hours of direct patient care, trained dental students, and spearheaded community outreach programs in underserved regions. These experiences deepened her commitment to addressing systemic health inequities and sparked her pursuit of a biostatistics career rooted in both compassion and evidence. Nairuti brings a rare blend of clinical experience and analytical expertise to every role. With a global perspective, she is committed to advancing population health through rigorous research, effective communication, cross-sector collaboration and most importantly, data-driven, analytical solutions.
Ashley Pattammady
Ashley Pattammady is a 2025 Master of Public Health graduate in Biostatistics from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. She entered the MPH program directly after earning her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a Minor in Chemistry from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). At GW, Ashley volunteered with the Urban Health Program to provide public health education at the Latin American Youth Center and served as the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Departmental Liaison for the Public Health Student Association. She completed her practicum at the GW Biostatistics Center as a Technical Specialist for the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS), supporting both operations and statisticians through data integration, workflow optimization, and metadata development. For her culminating experience, Ashley analyzed data from the Restoring Insulin Secretion (RISE) Study, investigating the relationship between sleep and metabolic function in youth with prediabetes or early type 2 diabetes. She is passionate about leveraging data, technology, and analysis to improve healthcare, with career interests at the intersection of public health, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry. In the future, she hopes to continue honing her research and analytical skills by pursuing a PhD.