Student Spotlight: Grace Ringlein | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health
Grace Ringlein is a fourth-year PhD student in the Department of Biostatistics. Her areas of focus include causal inference, measurement error, Electronic Health Record (EHR) data, mental health, and algorithmic fairness. Grace has served on multiple Biostatistics Student Organization (BSO) committees and is currently on the PhD Mentorship Committee.
- Hometown: Lancaster, PA
- Previous degrees earned: BA and Concurrent MS in Physics, University of Pennsylvania
- Current program: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Program Entry Year: 2022
What led you to Hopkins and choosing to study biostatistics?
I took a winding road to biostatistics. As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, I studied physics and conducted research in astronomy and oceanography labs. While I enjoyed data analysis and appreciated the scientific process and mentorship I received, I wanted to explore a different field after graduating—mental health. In 2020, I became a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health. While the subject matter was a better fit for my interests, I found myself increasingly drawn to methodological questions. After extensive Googling of graduate programs that could combine data science and mental health, I discovered Biostatistics—and long story short, it turned out to be a great fit.
"People are incredibly helpful, and there are more opportunities than one could ever have time for."
What do you like most about the Biostatistics Department?
When I first visited the Department during interviews, everyone said there was a good energy—collaborative, friendly, and a bit quirky. I've found that to be true. People are incredibly helpful, and there are more opportunities than one could ever have time for. Speaking of opportunities, I also really appreciate the abundance of collaboration between the Biostatistics Department and other departments at Hopkins. Through my adviser, Elizabeth Stuart, I have been able to work with folks in Health Policy and Management Department, the Mental Health Department, and the School of Medicine.
Are you involved in any Student Organizations and/or Working Groups?
I’ve been part of the Biostatistics Student Organization (BSO) since my second year in the program: serving on the PhD Program Curriculum Committee in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years, and now as part of the PhD Mentorship Committee. The BSO, the peer mentorship program, and the general support from other students have been extremely helpful to me as I’ve navigated the various stages of the program—first-year courses, comprehensive exams, and the preliminary oral exam. I’m happy to be able to pay it forward as a part of the BSO.
I also regularly attend the Causal Inference Working Group. It’s a great space to learn what others are working on in this area, both in the department and from external speakers. I presented in the group last fall, which was a great opportunity to get feedback from a wider audience.
Can you name an academic highlight you've had during your time as a Biostats student?
One major highlight was the publication of my first lead co-authored paper, “Income or Job Loss and Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” in JAMA.
Since then, I’ve collaborated with Catherine Ettman, Peter Zandi, and the Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Mood Disorders team on several additional papers, including: “Trends in mental health care and telehealth use across area deprivation: an analysis of electronic health records from 2016-2024” and “Gaps in psychiatric care before and after the COVID-19 pandemic among patients with depression using electronic health records”
These applied projects have taught me a lot about the statistical challenges that come up when working with real-world data, especially electronic health records. I’ve become particularly interested in questions related to measurement error and unobserved confounding. EHR data contains a wealth of information (e.g., treatment history, diagnostic codes, procedures), but it also often lacks consistent measurement of important variables, such as individual-level social determinants of health. Understanding the potential impact of these measurement limitations and developing practical strategies to address them is a central theme of my thesis work.
What advice do you have for a new student starting in the Department of Biostatistics?
I think this applies to any grad school, not just this Department: try not to compare yourself to others. Every student brings a different background, interests, and goals—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. In a place with so many opportunities, it’s easy to spread yourself too thin and still feel like you’re not doing enough if you’re constantly focused on what others are doing. I still have to remind myself of this all the time, and I’m grateful that my advisor helps me stay focused and strategic about which opportunities to pursue.
My second piece of advice is to ask for help if you need it—for academics, finding a thesis advisor, or adjusting to life in a PhD program. Fully utilize the resources available to you: office hours (both TA and professor), your first-year advisor, your cohort, peer mentors, and other students. It might take some time to find a groove, especially if you are readjusting to being in school after time-off or are newer to the material. It’s important to build support systems and structure that works for you both in school/work and personal life.
What do you enjoy most about living in Baltimore?
Baltimore has always held a special place in my heart—I grew up visiting every summer. I love the classics (like the National Aquarium), the quirky traditions (like the AVAM Kinetic Sculpture Race), and the hidden gems (like the Lithuanian Hall). Since moving here, I’ve picked up hobbies I never expected: bouldering (at Movement in Hampden), swing dancing (at Mobtown Ballroom), and potentially, woodworking—I’ve started taking some classes at the Baltimore Tool Library. For those into arts and crafts, I highly recommend checking out SCRAP B-More, a donated-craft-supply store. Most importantly, I’ve met some amazing people here, both within and outside the Hopkins community.
