Faculty Spotlight: Fares Qeadan

Meet Associate Professor of Biostatistics Fares Qeadan

September 20, 2021

The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health welcomes Fares Qeadan, associate professor of biostatistics, to its Public Health Sciences Department. Prior to Loyola, Qeadan taught biostatistics at the University of Utah and the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Earlier this year, he was recognized as a 2021 Young Alumni of the Year by the College of Science at the University of Nevada. His interests include data science and health informatics, surveys and sampling, population health and big data, geographic information systems (GIS) and statistics for health, ecology, and climate. Read more about Qeadan, his research, and what inspired him to join the Parkinson family.

What drew you to teach at Loyola?

Many things! Loyola is a diverse and accepting community where my passion for both teaching and research could truly be fulfilled. I appreciate teaching at a university with a strong vision that values academic freedom and a promise to prepare people to lead extraordinary lives.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your first semester teaching at the Parkinson School?

I am excited about both the location and campus.cI also am looking forward to being part of a larger team that includes students, staff, faculty, program directors, and the dean to build a stronger school with innovative graduate programs in public health and biostatistics that advance knowledge and answer unsolved health problems.

Biostatistics is a fast-growing field with many career opportunities. Why did you choose a career in biostatistics? And what is your advice to students considering a graduate degree in biostatistics?

I chose a career in biostatistics because I enjoy applying mathematics and analytical thinking to solve problems, especially ones that have a direct impact on people’s lives and health. Pursuing a graduate degree in biostatistics is the right choice for many as it cuts through the boundary of many sciences. If you are considering a graduate degree in biostatistics, get your biology, mathematics, computer science, and public health courses started.

Is there a particular research topic that interests you? If so, please explain.

The syndemic of COVID-19, the opioid crisis, and racism interests me the most as a public health problem especially in the presence of global warming. The intersectionality and interplay of these four issues demand different and novel approaches to how one analyzes data.

When you are not teaching or working, where will we find you?

I enjoy reading or watching biographies. I also enjoy growing vegetables in the garden (and farming in general) and love cooking and trying different foods.