Craig Parzynski (MS ’11) discovered a love for problem solving at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his master’s degree in biostatistics and gained a solid foundation for a career in medical research. However, his path to biostatistics was not straightforward.
The foundations of his career began at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Geneseo, where Parzynski studied psychology and communications. Undergraduate research in these fields helped develop his interest in data analysis. He became fascinated with the intersection of health research and statistics, which eventually led him to a fellowship at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Here he began to understand how study design and statistics played a pivotal role in clinical trials, and his interest in biostatistics was solidified.
Attending Pitt was a logical next step in his career aspirations. Here, Parzynski found a passion for biostatistics. He got involved as a graduate student researcher, gaining valuable hands-on experience, and confirming his choice to enter the field. He credits the faculty with giving him crucial guidance and support throughout his studies. Their mentorship, especially, was essential to his professional growth and prepared him for future challenges.
“Whenever I look back at my time at Pitt, it was really the faculty that made the difference and were so supportive of me. Professors took the time to talk with me,” he says, naming Department of Biostatistics faculty members Ada Youk and Jeanine Buchanich, along with professor emeriti Steward Anderson and Carol Redmond. “They really helped me to understand my potential and were so critical to my success overall in the program.”
Parzynski also valued the practical nature of his Pitt classes, which helped him develop essential career skills. He remembers challenging coursework that pushed him to think critically and apply his knowledge practically. This combination of theory and practice equipped him to solve real-world problems in his professional career.
“I am a practicing biostatistician in real-world data settings now,” Parzynski says. “All the core things I learned at school I have been able to apply over the years. The coursework prepared me well and gave me the skills necessary to solve problems we didn’t learn about.”
After graduation, Parzynski worked at Yale University as a lead statistician for nine years until he joined a leading life science consulting company, Genesis Research Group, in 2020, where he is now executive director, head of Biostatistics & Analytics. His ability to understand real-world questions and identify statistical solutions to answer them has set him apart in his field. Over the years, Parzynski has contributed to many important studies, each one reaffirming the value of his training.
Reflecting on his journey, Parzynski emphasizes the importance of mentorship and a strong educational foundation.
The support and encouragement from his professors at Pitt were pivotal, he says. “They not only taught me the technical skills I needed but also instilled a sense of confidence and curiosity that has driven my career forward,” explains Parzynski. “Own your own career, find a mentor or someone you can observe and learn from, and then focus on learning how to solve real-world problems in the program.”
“I have very strong beliefs about what it takes to be a good statistician,” says Parzynski. “Many people can program. To me, that doesn’t make you a statistician. A statistician—an excellent statistician—is one who can understand the problem and positively influence a study team’s project to get the answer. You need to think, not just do.”
Parzynski’s journey in biostatistics shows the impact of solid education and mentorship from the Department of Biostatistics at the School of Public Health. From SUNY Geneseo to the University of Pittsburgh and beyond, his story is about a passion for biostatistics, a commitment to excellence, and a drive to mentor others to be their best.
-Calvin Dziewulski