Lexington High School Students to Learn Statistical Programming through Summer Workshop Ahead of Rewarding Careers

Lexington High School Students set to get taste of Statistical Programming with Summer Workshop

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 29, 2024 — The upcoming BIOSTAT PRODIGY workshop in Lexington is beckoning high school students to gain an early start on a rewarding career. The workshop aims at using programming to solve real-world public health issues. This interactive five-day summer programme, beginning June 10, delivers a practical, and user-friendly introduction into the world of statistical programming.

Workshop Overview and Objectives

Under the leadership of Kristen McQuerry, Ph.D. and Associate Professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, students attending the workshop are set to gain a new perspective into the exciting world of biostatistics. McQuerry believes that by making the subject approachable, these students might see themselves pursuing a career in this field.

Running from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. at Tates Creek High School, the workshop promises a chance for students to exercise their coding skills. By making use of a Shiny Application, the students will build a data visualization. Such a process provides an interactive tool that allows real-time interaction and graph updating.

A Step towards Career Prep

Students will also have the invaluable chance to personally engage with professionals from the fields of epidemiology and biostatistics. In previous workshops, experts from tech giants like Google, pharmaceutical powerhouse Pfizer, diversified bank holding company Wells Fargo, and leading healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente have been able to share their professional experiences with the students.

According to McQuerry, students arrived at the workshop with varied levels of programming experience, and all proved successful. These early-stage programmers have the potential to fill a pressing gap in the professional field, as McQuerry explains: “There’s a huge need for biostatisticians. There’s just more jobs for biostatisticians than there are biostatisticians.”

Collaborations and Contributions

The workshop is hosted by the University of Kentucky’s Department of Biostatistics, Department of Internal Medicine and the Center for Health Equity Transformation. The collaboration with Fayette County Public Schools ensures that the students have Chromebooks to work with.

The University of Kentucky takes pride in advancing the Commonwealth by preparing the next generation of leaders. Over the years, the university has proven to be a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, developing visionaries and pioneers through its academic programs, research and development enterprise, and world-class medical center.

To find out more about this exciting opportunity or to apply for the workshop, click here.

Contact Information for Press

For further information and enquiries, please contact Rick Childress at rick.childress@uky.edu or on (859)562-2294.