Recent biostatistics graduate transforms passion for numbers into tools for community health.
When Ella Tamayo discovered statistics during her undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, she found a subject she enjoyed and a powerful tool to help others. Now, as a recent Master of Public Health graduate from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPPH), she's ready to transform data into action that improves lives.
From Psychology to Statistics
Tamayo's path to public health took several turns. Starting college with dreams of the medical field, she shifted to psychology and considered becoming a therapist. But after working entry-level social work positions, she found the work both rewarding and exhausting.
"I took a stats course and I honestly just loved it," Tamayo recalls. "A lot of people I talked to didn't love stats—it was their least favorite part of the research process. I felt like if I really liked this, maybe I could use it to help people."
This realization led her to UTMB's MPH program with a concentration in biostatistics, where she found the perfect blend of technical skills and public service. "I was really lucky to find a program that was related to public service and helping people, which I was passionate about, but still allowed me to develop my statistical skills," she says.
County-Level Research Reveals Surprising Regional Patterns
For her Integrative Learning Experience (ILE)—the thesis component of her degree—Tamayo dove deep into county-level data across the United States, examining the relationship between food insecurity and child mortality rates. Working under the mentorship of Dr. Xiaoying Yu, she discovered surprising regional patterns.
"We found that food insecurity was significantly associated with child mortality rates at the county level, and that association was significant in the West, Midwest, and East," Tamayo explains. "But that association wasn't significant in the South, which was really surprising because the South has the highest rates of both food insecurity and child mortality."
The project required sophisticated statistical modeling, including linear regression, quantile regression, robust regression, and weighted least squares regression. When faced with missing data, Tamayo learned to use multiple imputation techniques—a method that helped predict missing values to create a more complete picture.
Texas DSHS Internship Tackles Antimicrobial Misuse
During her Applied Practice Experience (APE) with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Tamayo worked on critical public health issues affecting Texans. She joined the antimicrobial stewardship team, addressing the widespread problem of antimicrobial misuse—like prescribing antibiotics for viral infections or using incorrect doses.
"I helped identify health disparities in antimicrobial stewardship across different regions of Texas," she says. "We looked at what factors were associated with areas struggling with proper antimicrobial use versus those doing well."
One of her proudest accomplishments was helping create a sophisticated Excel tool in collaboration with UT Dell Medical School to track urinary tract infections across Texas facilities. The spreadsheet allows healthcare providers to input patient data and calculate rates by week, month, and year—bringing Texas in line with tracking systems used by other states.
Biostatistics Requires Both Technical Skills and Creative Problem-Solving
What makes biostatistics special, according to Tamayo, goes beyond technical expertise. The field demands creative approaches to data analysis.
"There's not really one way to do something all the time. You have a lot of freedom of choice in what analysis you want to do," she explains.
She describes the thrill of receiving a dataset: "The first thing is to check that it's clean and accurate. Then it's kind of like you get to investigate—thinking about what variables might affect outcomes. That's what I really like about it."
Say Yes to Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
For students considering or currently pursuing their MPH, Tamayo emphasizes the importance of seeking opportunities beyond required coursework.
"I tend to be more of a 'no, I'm okay, thanks' type of person," she admits. "But I found that volunteering to help with research projects or service projects really helped open my mindset and taught me new skills I wouldn't have learned otherwise. Being there and being available is a really valuable skill."
She particularly credits her mentor, Dr. Yu, for guiding her growth. "She was very patient and understanding, always taking time to discuss next steps and how I could improve. Having frequent meetings and being open about what I understood and didn't understand helped make the relationship successful."
Next Steps Include Data Analysis Roles in Public Health
As Tamayo searches for her next opportunity, her dream is to work as a data analyst or epidemiologist for DSHS, where she completed her internship. She's particularly passionate about food insecurity, maternal health, and child health—areas where she hopes to apply her statistical expertise to create meaningful change.
"I really enjoyed this program," she reflects. "It balanced both the hard skills of biostatistics and the knowledge needed in public health about health equity and sustainability. If more people knew about it, I feel like it would be in more demand."
For Tamayo, the MPH in Biostatistics offered career preparation and a way to combine her natural aptitude for statistics with her deep-seated desire to serve others. As she embarks on her career, she carries technical skills and a commitment to transforming data into solutions that improve lives across Texas and beyond.
Ella Tamayo graduated from UTMB School of Public and Population Health in May 2025 with a Master of Public Health degree, concentration in Biostatistics. She maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her studies and is currently seeking positions in data analysis, epidemiology, and project management in the Houston area.