I am a Professor of Biostatistics at UAB and am the team leader for the data management and analytic team for the REGARDS project which is a large epidemiologic study examining stroke risk factors. I went to Emory University to pursue a PhD and help to better understand lifestyle factors associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. I began my career as an engineer at the Kimberly-Clark Corporation overseeing production for medical devices to improve infant skin. I am interested in applying mathematical techniques to study human disease.