SPHIS Home » News » Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Dr. Soutik Ghosal
Alumni Spotlight: Q&A with Dr. Soutik Ghosal
Name: Soutik Ghosal
Graduation Date: July 2018
Degree: PhD in Biostatistics
How did you find out about UofL SPHIS?
I first learned about the UofL SPHIS from my master's mentor, Dr. Kiranmoy Das. While exploring PhD programs in the United States, he recommended that I consider this institution. He specifically mentioned Drs. Somnath Datta and Susmita Datta, who were esteemed faculty members in the department until 2015. Both are highly accomplished researchers and given that Biostatistics is a relatively small and interconnected field, their work was widely recognized among professionals. Encouraged by my mentor's suggestion and their notable reputation, I decided to apply to UofL SPHIS.
How did you get interested in the field of public health and biostatistics?
During my bachelor's and master's studies in statistics in India, I had no intention of pursuing a career in academia, let alone in biostatistics and public health. Biostatistics was merely an elective I chose out of curiosity, and public health was an unfamiliar term to me at the time. My initial plan was to transition into the industry after completing my master's degree. However, a turning point came when my mentor, Dr. Kiranmoy Das, returned to India from the U.S. and joined my university as a faculty member. Coincidentally, he decided to teach the elective course on biostatistics. In the penultimate semester of my master’s program, I took his class and was utterly fascinated by the subject. It was eye-opening to discover the pivotal role statistics plays, especially in medicine and healthcare. This newfound understanding sparked a deep interest in the field, and I made a swift yet determined decision to shift my focus toward academia and pursue a career in biostatistics.
What is your title? Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences, Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease Center, University of Virginia
I am an Assistant Professor in the Division of Biostatistics, which is situated within the Public Health Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Virginia.
In what ways do you think your SPHIS degree aided in securing your current position?
I am incredibly grateful to UofL SPHIS for providing me with opportunities that have significantly shaped my career. The courses offered in the PhD curriculum were thoughtfully designed, equipping me with the knowledge and skills necessary for both postdoctoral and faculty positions. One of the most impactful aspects of my experience was my role as a research assistant at CAHRDS (Child and Adolescent Health Research Design and Support) within the Department of Pediatrics. After passing the qualifying exam, I joined CAHRDS, where I gained invaluable experience. This role not only introduced me to the concept of Team Science but also trained me in multitasking and interdisciplinary collaboration. These skills were instrumental in building my confidence and expertise in collaborative research. I also contributed to several publications, which significantly enhanced my CV. My exposure to both methodological and multidisciplinary research, particularly in pediatric health, was pivotal in helping me secure my postdoctoral position at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The combination of rigorous academic training and practical research experience at UofL SPHIS laid a strong foundation for my professional journey.
In what way do you think your post-doc and research fellow positions helped prepare you for your current role as a faculty member?
My postdoctoral experiences were distinct from my PhD journey and played a pivotal role in preparing me for my current faculty position. During my PhD at the University of Louisville, I had the privilege of working under the mentorship of Dr. Maiying Kong, whose guidance allowed me to explore diverse statistical areas, such as spatiotemporal modeling and causal inference. I also benefited immensely from the support of Dr. Jeremy Gaskins, which further enriched my understanding and research skills. When I transitioned to NICHD for my postdoctoral research, I took on a new challenge by diving into diagnostic accuracy assessment of biomarkers—a completely different statistical area. This experience of adapting to and excelling in a new field significantly boosted my confidence and versatility as a researcher. While research was a consistent component of both my predoctoral and postdoctoral phases, the latter introduced me to greater responsibilities. I became more involved in conceptualizing manuscripts, overseeing collaborative projects, and contributing to the broader academic community through service activities such as reviewing manuscripts, organizing conference sessions, hosting journal clubs, and mentoring students. These experiences, encompassing both methodological and collaborative research, as well as service and mentorship, equipped me with the skills and confidence needed to excel as a faculty member. They provided a comprehensive foundation for my current role as an assistant professor, where I continue to grow as a researcher, mentor, and contributor to the academic community.
Help us give readers an idea of what you do day-to-day.
As a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine, a significant part of my role involves collaborating with physicians to support their research efforts. This includes conducting data analysis for manuscripts and assisting with grant writing. These collaborations are integral to advancing interdisciplinary research within the institution. In addition to my collaborative work, I teach the course Introduction to Biostatistics to residents as part of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program. Teaching allows me to share my expertise with the next generation of researchers and clinicians while fostering their understanding of biostatistics. I also dedicate time to pursuing my own research interests in statistical methodology. This includes developing and writing grant proposals, authoring manuscripts, and exploring innovative statistical applications.
What advice would you give students for their public health journey?
The world of academia is both challenging and rewarding. It demands a great deal of dedication, especially with the increasing competition for securing grants and publishing in top-tier journals. However, the reward lies in knowing that the work you do has the potential to make a meaningful impact on people’s health and well-being—a truly fascinating and fulfilling outcome. My advice to new students starting their public health journey:
Nurture and sustain your enthusiasm for the work you undertake. Not every day will be easy or feel productive, but it’s your passion for the field that will carry you through the highs and lows. Stay curious, remain resilient, and remember the bigger picture—your contributions have the power to improve lives and shape the future of public health.
The key is to be intentional about your career goals and take proactive steps to gain the skills and experiences that will position you for success in your chosen path.
Regardless of the specialization a student chooses, each subfield offers tremendous opportunities in academia, industry, and community work.My advice to graduating students is to plan ahead and identify which career path aligns best with their interests and goals. Preparing for that path during your studies can make a significant difference. For instance, if a biostatistics graduate is interested in pursuing a career in industry, gaining internship experience at a pharmaceutical or related company before graduation can be highly advantageous. Similarly, students aspiring to teach should aim to accumulate relevant teaching experience during graduate school. On the other hand, those looking to build a career in research should focus on publishing more papers and engaging in collaborative research projects.
If you’d like to connect with Soutik, you can contact him via LinkedIn or email, soutik.ghosal@virginia.edu
