Anthony George
Anthony George is a current Epidemiology MS student.
How did you become interested in epidemiology as your field of study?
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in biology, I wanted to find a meaningful way to get involved in the sciences and apply my degree. I was hired by the Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) in Buffalo, New York, and took several courses as a non-matriculating student at the University at Buffalo to find something that truly enticed my interests. I was always intrigued by the biological mechanisms of disease and individual’s genetic susceptibility, so it didn’t take long to discover epidemiology.
Why did you choose UB?
I am from Buffalo, originally. I was born in West Seneca, New York, (a suburb of Buffalo) and after completing my undergraduate, I returned home. When I was applying for graduate programs, I chose the University at Buffalo because of their close affiliation with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and their involvement in the Women’s Health Initiative. My research interests include genetic predispositions, carcinogenesis and developmental/perinatal factors, which is in alignment with the interests of several faculty members at the University at Buffalo.
Tell us more about your experience in the program.
This year I’m going to be taking the course Oncology for Scientists at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. I have already taken Cancer Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and advanced methodology courses which has helped me in pursuing a thesis project. I’m currently looking at the association between parity and lactation on gene hypermethylation in breast cancer cases.
What do you enjoy the most about the program?
What I enjoy most about this program is the faculty. The instructors, in my first year, were passionate about the course material and were very approachable. They fostered collaboration and cooperation, and I looked forward to every class.
How does receiving a degree from UB SPHHP set you apart?
My goal is to continue my education with hopes of attending medical school, where I aspire to become an oncologist. Receiving my master’s degree in epidemiology from SPHHP will set me apart from other medical school applicants, or other medical professionals, in that I will have a background in study design and advanced methodology. I will have the knowledge base to contribute and conduct randomized clinical trials, as well as understand the major strengths and limitations of assessing clinically relevant exposures.
