Rachel Codden, ‘16
Why did you choose to come to UMR? As a first generation college student I wasn’t quite sure how to choose a college. I was set on attending the University of Minnesota, and during my visit to the Rochester campus I specifically enjoyed being solely surrounded by students pursuing a similar career path. I felt the medical focus and incredible location would support my passion through the four years.
What did your Capstone experience at UMR involve? My Capstone experience was a culmination of academic, volunteer, and leadership experiences directed at preparation for graduate school. It consisted of directed research with Dr. Kelsey Metzger, serving as a leader for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement club, a volunteer experience with Olmsted County, and completing courses at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Although I did not pursue the graduate education I had intended during my Capstone, the experiences I completed during that time were still very valuable in preparation for the graduate program I ultimately completed, a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota.
How did your Capstone experience prepare you for your future in what you’re currently doing? By participating in a broad array of experiences, I was able to see how my education could be applied in various settings. I began to see how versatile my background in health sciences truly was, and I felt comfortable beginning graduate school in a related field.
What are you currently doing? After graduating from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health this spring, I began working as a Biostatistician at the University of Utah School of Medicine. I am involved in multiple clinical research projects including trials in pediatric multiple sclerosis, pain control in adolescents after scoliosis surgery and general pediatric emergency care. My role as a statistician is to analyze and interpret the study outcome data which will eventually become the basis of manuscripts.
Was there a faculty member that positively impacted your time at UMR and how? Dr. Metzger would seamlessly incorporate real-life examples in her lectures. She was always willing to answer questions about applying for graduate school. One of my best memories was hiking around Quarry Hill to collect samples from owls for our research on owl population health and migration.