Data Informing Advances in Health Care
Hi, everyone! My name is Yingzhi “Lydia” Bao and I participated in the Berkeley Global Access Program (BGA) in the Fall 2023 semester.
Before joining BGA, I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree in data science and big data technology at the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) in Beijing, China—which I’ve recently completed! My coursework there gave me a strong foundation in statistics, programming and applied machine learning. The program emphasizes mathematical rigor and hands-on analytical skills.
Beyond the classroom, I also took part in the Cambridge University Summer School, where I studied business and management. That experience first sparked my interest in combining data science with broader interdisciplinary perspectives—something I later deepened during my time at Berkeley.
I was drawn to California’s sunshine and the vibrant atmosphere of the Bay Area. The combination of academic excellence, openness and creativity made Berkeley the perfect place for both my personal and academic growth.
Why Berkeley?
There were so many reasons behind my choice. I first heard about BGA from my roommate, who had spent an unforgettable semester in the program. She returned more confident, inspired and intellectually curious, which deeply influenced me.
On a personal level, I wanted to study in a new environment, somewhere I could challenge myself and learn from world-class professors. Berkeley’s reputation in statistics, computer science and innovation made it a natural choice for a data science major like me.
And, of course, I was drawn to California’s sunshine and the vibrant atmosphere of the Bay Area. The combination of academic excellence, openness and creativity made Berkeley the perfect place for both my personal and academic growth.
During my one semester, I took Experimental Design, Introduction to Multivariate Statistics, Introduction to Cybersecurity and Statistical Methods for Data Science. Each complemented my data science background in a unique way.
Experimental Design strengthened my understanding of causal inference and research logic, while Introduction to Multivariate Statistics expanded my analytical toolkit for high-dimensional data.
Cybersecurity introduced me to data protection and privacy, which is an increasingly essential topic for data scientists. Finally, Statistical Methods for Data Science tied everything together by emphasizing practical modeling and programming skills.
Enjoying Open Communication in Class
There are huge differences between academic styles in America and in China. At Berkeley, classes emphasized interaction and exploration—we were encouraged to question, discuss and even challenge ideas. Professors valued creativity and practical application over memorization, often assigning open-ended projects that allowed us to design our own approaches.
In contrast, my home university’s courses were more structured and detail-oriented, focusing on solid theoretical foundations and step-by-step derivations.
Both systems have their strengths: Berkeley taught me to think independently and apply knowledge flexibly, while my background in China helped me approach problems with precision and logical rigor. Together, they shaped a balanced way of learning and problem-solving.
Jam-Packed Weekends
This was my first time in the United States, so I tried to make the most of every weekend by exploring the West Coast. I visited Seattle’s Space Needle, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and even took a walk through Stanford’s campus in Silicon Valley. Each city has its own rhythm and charm.
Closer to Berkeley, I loved spending time around San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge, and simply enjoying the hillside views around campus.
My favorite memories, though, are probably from the concerts I attended because music has always been a way for me to connect with people and places emotionally.
And now, I’m studying at Yale for my M.S. in biostatistics! My Berkeley experience truly helped me transition smoothly into graduate school life.
Preparing for Graduate School
I participated in several career and graduate school seminars offered by the program, including sessions on personal-statement writing and building an effective LinkedIn profile. These workshops were extremely helpful because I was preparing to apply for graduate programs in different, but related, fields.
Through these sessions, I learned how to present my experiences with a clear focus: highlighting transferable skills while maintaining consistency across applications.
The instructors also provided personalized feedback, which helped me identify my strengths and refine my narrative. This guidance gave me greater confidence in how to position myself academically and professionally.
And now, I’m studying at Yale for my M.S. in biostatistics! My Berkeley experience truly helped me transition smoothly into graduate school life. Having already adapted to the American academic environment—from classroom discussions to research-based learning—I felt much more confident and efficient when starting my program.
Academically, many of the statistical and data science concepts I learned at Berkeley built a solid foundation for my current biostatistics courses. More importantly, Berkeley taught me how to think independently and connect theory with application, which has been essential in my research on health data and disease modeling.
On a personal level, adjusting to life in the U.S. was also easier. I now know how to navigate campus life, find resources and balance study with well-being. Berkeley was the bridge that prepared me, both academically and personally, for graduate studies at Yale.
Interning Between Berkeley and Yale
After returning to China after completing BGA, I joined Baidu Research as a research intern. I built a Machine Learning pipeline for early prostate cancer diagnosis, integrating model evaluation and external validation to assess predictive performance.
This was my first hands-on experience applying statistical and computational methods to real biomedical data, a direction I became passionate about during my time at Berkeley. The exposure to interdisciplinary thinking and practical problem-solving at Berkeley helped me approach this internship with both technical confidence and curiosity about how data science can improve human health.
Embrace every opportunity! Don't hesitate to speak up in class, join clubs or explore new places.
What I See for My Future
In five to 10 years, I hope to still be in the United States, working in a field that bridges data science and health care research. My long-term goal is to develop data-driven solutions that can help improve medical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Experiences You Should Have in the Bay Area!
My top 5 things to do once you come to Berkeley are:
- Watch an NBA game: Experiencing the energy of a live basketball game in the Bay Area was unforgettable.
- Relax on the Memorial Glade: Sometimes the best thing to do is simply lie on the grass and enjoy the sunshine between classes.
- Join the Llama Therapy event before Dead Week: Meeting the therapy llamas on campus was both adorable and unexpectedly calming!
- Attend professors’ office hours: Conversations outside of lectures often gave me new insights into research and academic paths.
- Cheer at Berkeley sports games: Whether it was football, basketball or volleyball, the school spirit at Berkeley always lifted my mood.
Embrace every opportunity! Don't hesitate to speak up in class, join clubs or explore new places. Try things outside of your comfort zone—you’ll be surprised at how much you grow from each experience.
And, most importantly, remember to enjoy the process. Berkeley is not only a place to learn, but also a place to discover who you are and who you want to become.
