Kazi Tanvir Hasan is a doctoral student in the Biostatistics program at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work. In the next few months, he’ll cross the commencement stage, pack his belongings, and move to Connecticut to start a post-doctoral position at Yale University.
Prior to starting the Spring '25 semester, Tanvir completed a prestigious internship at Johnson & Johnson, where he worked closely with the company’s clinical pharmaceutical department.
Tanvir shares more about his time with Johnson & Johnson and what’s next for him.
Degree/major: Ph.D. in Public Health with a Concentration in Biostatistics and Data Analytics
What type of work did you do with Johnson & Johnson?
During my internship at Johnson & Johnson, I worked closely with the clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics team. My responsibilities included analyzing real-world data to support regulatory and clinical decisions. I built predictive models, conducted statistical analyses, and created data visualizations to communicate insights to cross-functional teams. It was a great mix of technical work and collaborative problem-solving.
What was the most rewarding part of your internship?
For me, the most rewarding part was seeing the real-world impact of my work. Knowing that the analysis I was doing could contribute to decisions that affect patient health and safety was incredibly meaningful. It was fulfilling to apply the knowledge from my Ph.D. to problems that could make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
How did this work connect back to what you learned through your doctoral program?
My Ph.D. program gave me a strong foundation in both statistical theory and practical data analysis. Everything from survival analysis to machine learning methods came into play during my internship. But more than that, the program taught me how to approach complex problems systematically, how to collaborate effectively, and how to communicate findings clearly—skills that were essential at Johnson & Johnson.
Landing an internship with Johnson & Johnson is so impressive. Got any words of wisdom?
My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to apply. Sometimes we hesitate, thinking we’re not qualified enough or don’t meet every single requirement—but you never really know what the hiring manager is looking for. Apply to as many opportunities as you can. You might be a better fit than you think.
This is especially true in today’s interdisciplinary environment, where diverse skill sets and perspectives are highly valued. Your background might bring something unique to a team that’s tackling complex, cross-cutting problems. Once you’re in an internship, stay curious, take initiative, and look beyond your immediate project to understand how your work connects to the bigger picture. That mindset makes a big difference.
Do you have a mentor who has impacted your life?
Absolutely. My Ph.D. advisors Dr. Boubakari Ibrahimou and Dr. Gabriel Odom had a major impact on both my academic and professional journey. They not only helped me grow as a researcher but also encouraged me to pursue opportunities outside of academia, like this internship. Their mentorship helped shape the way I approach challenges and opportunities.
What’s next for you?
I’ll be joining the Department of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine as a postdoctoral researcher. My research will focus on genetically-informed studies of substance use disorders (SUDs), psychiatric conditions, and related behavioral and lifestyle traits that impact human health. I’m really excited about this next chapter—it’s an incredible opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that can help inform prevention and treatment strategies for complex psychiatric and behavioral health challenges.