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Pairing Public Health With Computer Science 

BS in Integrated Engineering and Social Sciences, Lehigh University, 2022
MSPH ‘24 in Biostatistics 

 “I want to keep building on the machine learning and causal inference skills that I've learned through my research and course work at Rollins. I like the real-world data space, and now I have the foundations that I need to do that work.”

Allison Codi has always had a mind for mathematics and computer science. She studied integrated engineering and social sciences at Lehigh University, where she focused her energies on developing software engineering and coding skills. Although she loved the way that computer science allowed her to problem solve and think through complex puzzles, she wanted to find a way to apply her knowledge outside of the computer engineering field. That is when she found her way to public health.  

Codi began work on a COVID-19 forecasting project near the end of her undergraduate career, and that solidified for her that she wanted to pursue a career where she could use data science skills to better the public’s health.  

“I really enjoyed being able to pair public health with my computer science background, and I thought a good next step for me would be to go into biostatistics so I would be able to dive deeper into the public health applications that I was really passionate about,” she says. “Rollins presented the perfect opportunity for me to pursue that.” 

While the curriculum Codi studies at Rollins has built her skillset in machine learning and causal inference, opportunities outside of the classroom have strengthened her abilities and exposed her to interdisciplinary work and applications. For her applied practice experience, she worked with biopharma company GSK on observational data science projects using electronic health records. Her thesis work uses data from a large, randomized trial for high-risk children with acute diarrhea to create optimal treatment rules for antibiotic prescription. She has had the opportunity to collaborate with faculty across disciplines on this project, providing a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of public health.  

“I found that all of the professors are incredibly kind, supportive, and welcoming here,” she says. “They want to help you succeed in your coursework, and they also want to help you build connections with professionals in the industry.” 

After graduating in May, Codi hopes to work with observational data, either in health technology or pharmaceutical research. She feels confident that her time at Rollins has made that career path possible. 

“I want to keep building on the machine learning and causal inference skills that I've learned through my research and course work at Rollins,” she says. “I like the real-world data space, and now I have the foundations that I need to do that work.”