Epidemiologist II Shanyin Yang shares what she’s working on at ICH right now, the experience that prepared her for this role, and how she likes to spend her downtime. Read on to learn more!

How would you describe your role at ICH?

At ICH, I work as both an Epidemiologist II and a Research and Evaluation Project Manager, so what I do really depends on the role I’m taking on for a given project. When I’m wearing my Epidemiologist II hat, I am mostly responsible for working with the quantitative portion of my projects. I am often in charge of building data tracking tools, cleaning and analyzing data, and making sure everything is accurate and organized. I also check in with clients to get their input throughout the process and share findings. On the Project Manager side, I am responsible for timelines, scope, and communication with clients. I also work closely with our internal team to assign tasks and make sure everything’s moving forward smoothly.

What is your educational background?

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lafayette College, and earned my MPH from BUSPH with a concentration in Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Mental Health & Substance Use.

What was your career path before coming to ICH?

While I was at BUSPH, I got to work on a few different research projects that really helped me build my skills. I worked as a Research Assistant on a clinical trial looking at a smoking cessation program for people living with HIV in China. I also worked as a Data Analyst at the BU Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation. These roles gave me hands-on experience with different types of data, helped me improve my programming and data management skills, and even gave me some exposure to qualitative research. All of that has been super valuable in the work I do now at ICH.

What made you decide to come to ICH?

I was drawn to ICH because its mission really aligned with my own, and I was looking for a chance to apply and grow my programming skills. It was also clear to me during my interview that people here are supportive and genuinely invested in helping each other grow. That gave me a lot of confidence coming in.

What are some projects that you are working on right now?

Right now, I’m working on a range of projects across different focus areas. Some of them include studying the drug testing landscape for people under supervision, supporting the programming of a college success initiative for first-gen students, and evaluating a new mental health intervention. I’m also involved in assessing a holistic benefits access model at a safety net hospital. In addition, I work on several projects aimed at reducing overdose deaths in Boston and exploring innovative approaches to help unsheltered individuals with substance use disorders find permanent housing.

What are you most excited about for the future of ICH?

I’m excited to see how ICH continues to grow. There’s so much potential to explore new areas, and I’m confident that the organization will keep expanding its expertise into topics it hasn’t tackled yet, also staying strong in the areas we already do well in.

What are your hobbies or things you like to do for fun?

I enjoy walking around and exploring new coffee shops and food spots. I like to save them to a map on my phone, it’s actually how I’ve learned to navigate Boston! While exploring, I like to bring my camera with me and take pictures of people and places. I’m also into watercolor painting, though I’m still learning. And when the weather is nice, I love playing tennis with friends. At home, I spend my time playing with and having conversations with my very vocal cat Momo.

What are your plans for the new year?

I’m planning to return to China to visit my family around the time of Lunar New Year. I can’t wait to enjoy all the delicious food and festive activities, and to spend time with family and friends back home. On my New Year to-do list, I’m planning to play lots of tennis, improve my watercolor skills, and learn how to crochet or knit.