Meet a Member – Laura Henkhaus
Laura Henkhaus, PhD
postdoctoral fellow
How did you get involved with data science?
During my undergraduate time at UC Berkeley with a major in Environmental Economics and Policy, I was really drawn to my introductory applied econometrics course taught by a development economist – Elisabeth Sadoulet. She taught through applications to topics including environmental impacts, educational success, for example, and we used real-world data to model and measure these relationships. My curiosity was piqued by the breadth of questions we can attempt to answer with these tools, and I was motivated by the importance of the socially-relevant questions she posed to us through exercises. To develop my toolkit further to lead my own research, I later pursued a PhD in Health Economics which I completed in 2019 at the University of Southern California. I focused my dissertation on childhood adversity and educational attainment, economic well-being, and health over the life course. I first learned of the Vanderbilt Data Science Institute through two faculty affiliates of the DSI – Melinda Buntin and Carolyn Heinrich – who have been leading a Policies for Action grant to study the health and educational success of children in Tennessee. Through learning more about the DSI, I was excited about the diversity of fields and methods expertise across the faculty and staff, which was a big contributor to my decision to join the community to develop my research and to develop as a data scientist in this environment.
When you’re not at the DSI, what can we find you doing?
I’ll be escaping for a run or reading by the pool. I’ve explored more of Nashville’s greenways to get a change in scenery, and my favorite is the Cumberland River Greenway. Gazing at the water always makes me happy. I also like to get out for a hike, and my favorite within 30 minutes driving distance is Long Hunter State Park with views of the Percy Priest Reservoir and sometimes deer.
Last book you read?
The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story by Hyeonseo Lee with David John. I picked it up at my grandma’s house after she read and recommended, and I couldn’t put it down.
How have you been spending your quarantine?
I’ve enjoyed reading a lot and starting to watch shows. While staying at home, my coping strategies have been running to Love Circle hill for the view to fulfill my spatial needs, journaling to unload when I feel stuck in a state of distress, calling family and friends, watching a show that will make me laugh, and redirecting toward positive, constructive thinking about how I can help others and planning and engaging in action to do so.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
COVID-19 immunity. Please, I’d like to travel to see my family!