The new year 2025 has arrived, bringing with it the promise of fresh starts, new actions, and valuable learning opportunities. As we transition back from winter break, our Fellows are rejuvenated and ready to embrace the challenges ahead, enhancing their skills in data analytics focused on aging populations. Let鈥檚 take a moment to explore the insights of Valentin, Jiaxin, and Adebayo!
Valentin Pautonnier
Now, let鈥檚 delve into some reflections. A new beginning does not mean we forget the past! Can you share a pivotal moment that shaped your research journey and how CanD3 has reinforced your research purpose? Valentin, please share your thoughts.
My pivotal moment occurred during my bachelor鈥檚 year at Sciences Po Grenoble (France) when I discovered electoral geography. The intricacies of election maps captivated me and led me to examine the complex factors influencing place-based political opinions and lifestyles. CAnD3 has been instrumental in enhancing my data analysis skills, particularly through R workshops. Engaging discussions and presentations鈥攕uch as DAG and data ethics鈥攈ave also helped me become more rigorous in my research pursuits.
Could you highlight a recent publication or project that you are particularly proud of? What were the most exciting or challenging aspects of this work?
I am proud to have submitted a paper titled 'Rural-Urban Cleavage in the US: Stability and Change'.聽
Outside of your research endeavors, what hobby or interest might surprise people?
I am passionate about medium-distance running and enjoy going to the gym! This hobby serves as a fitting metaphor for the journey of a PhD candidate: it requires resilience, stamina, and strength to keep pace with the demands.
For a fun thought experiment: If you could instantly access any dataset in the world for your research, what would it be and how would it enhance your work?
I would seek access to comprehensive socio-demographic, lifestyle, and political orientation data at both individual and aggregate levels鈥攊deally at the smallest scale possible. This would enable me to conduct surveys exploring how individuals interact with their environments and how these interactions shape their political views.
Jiaxin Gu
Now it鈥檚 your turn, Jiaxin! Can you reflect on a pivotal moment that shaped your research journey and how CanD3 has reinforced your research purpose?
I found the group DAGs session particularly enjoyable. We created a humorous DAG that illustrated the joys and challenges many of us have faced during our graduate studies. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed attending the R Bootcamp at 海角社区 last summer; it equipped me with essential skills in both basic and advanced R programming as well as data visualization tools that have proven invaluable.
Let鈥檚 explore your aspirations: If you could design a dream project combining your research interests with CAnD3's resources, what would it look like and what impact would you hope to achieve?
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Outside of academia, what hobby or interest might surprise people?
I enjoy playing badminton in my spare time but have not had much opportunity to practice due to arthritis. I am hopeful about returning to the court after treatment in January!
Sounds like you are already excited for a come-back! Now for a lighthearted question: If you could assemble a dream team of three fictional characters to assist in your research, who would they be and what roles would they play?
1. Tom Riddle's Diary (if we count it as a character) to assist with drafting manuscripts.
2. The Genie from Aladdin would serve as our wish-maker whenever we need something extraordinary.
3. Sherlock Holmes鈥攕pecifically Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal鈥攚ould undoubtedly excel as our top data analyst for any quantitative research project.
Adebayo Makanju
Finally, Adebayo! Can you share a pivotal moment that shaped your research journey? How has CanD3 helped reinforce your research purpose?
Interacting with Professor Hafiz Khan from the University of West London during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced my interest in the Economics of Aging. Moreover, being part of CanD3 has equipped me with a well-rounded skill set essential for thriving in non-academic roles within the global North.聽
Could you highlight a recent publication or project that stands out for you? What were its most exciting or challenging aspects?
" recently collaborated on a paper titled 'A Cross-Sectional Study on the Socio-Economic Determinants of Later Life Frailty in Southwestern Nigeria' (Makanju A et al., 2022).聽
Outside of research, do you have any surprising hobbies or interests?
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For an engaging closing question: If you could have dinner with any data scientist or researcher鈥攑ast or present鈥攚ho would it be and what burning question would you ask them?
I would choose Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow, a distinguished health economist. My burning question would focus on ethics and the application of artificial intelligence within health economics in the 21st century.
Thank you all for sharing your insights as we embark on this New Year! We wish each of you an eventful year filled with positive developments, rewarding experiences, and all the best on your research journeys!
