In this episode we speak with Nate Maxey (MS '25), whose career path reflects the versatility and adaptability of public health skills. Nate shares his journey, from being pre-med to falling in love with mathematics and ultimately, biostatistics, which he describes as learning to tell a narrative with data using complicated math. We explore Nate's diverse experiences from New York City's sodium regulation research to a marketing internship with Beats by Dr. Dre, where he conducted qualitative research presenting his findings to executives. Nate also discusses his work analyzing legal policy related to Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws, where he helped create a dataset by reading penal codes. He highlights how his data and research expertise have proven transferable across these varied industries. He emphasizes the crucial role of networking and building authentic professional relationships, and the importance of refining communication and writing skills for any public health professional, noting that good writing sets statisticians apart. Looking ahead, Nate talks about the "big data revolution" and the transformative potential of AI in public health for predicting and preventing both upstream and downstream problems. He also addresses health disparities, discussing how historical research benefited those in power rather than marginalized communities, and stressing the need to center these groups in current research for equitable benefits. Tune in for practical advice on the value of continuous learning, and how to maximize your graduate school experience by applying skills beyond the classroom.
