“To me, math is...simply the means by which the world works.”
Karelyn's Biography
Dr. Karelyn Davis is a Statistician employed with Health Canada who conducts statistical analysis and research studying the human health effects resulting from exposure to environmental factors such as air and water pollutants. In achieving this, Karelyn collaborates with other scientific researchers on epidemiological studies and laboratory research projects. In addition, she offers annual statistical training to Federal Government colleagues as well as lecturing part-time at both Ottawa Universities instructing Undergraduate and Graduate statistical courses. Prior to joining Health Canada in 2009, Karelyn was employed as a methodologist with Statistics Canada and contributed to surveys originating from the fields of education, labour dynamics, justice and health.
Karelyn completed her Ph.D. in Probability and Statistics from Carleton University. Previously, she completed both a Master of Science in Statistics and Bachelor of Science Joint Honours in Pure Mathematics and Statistics from Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2004, she was awarded the Gertrude Cox Scholarship Honourable Mention by the American Statistical Association, and in 2011 was awarded a Carleton University Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement at the Doctoral Level.
In 2014, Karelyn was appointed an Adjunct Research Professor with the School of Mathematics and Statistics at Carleton University. She is also accredited by the Statistical Society of Canada as a Professional Statistician (P.Stat.). Karelyn has served as Secretary of the Statistical Society of Ottawa, and an elected member of the Statistical Society of Canada Accreditation Committee.
I have had many mentors throughout my career, both formal and informal. My family have been my first mentors, encouraging me to pursue higher education, and teaching me the discipline and tenacity needed to succeed in academics, as well as in life. In addition, my graduate supervisors constantly challenged me to undertake advanced statistical training, and supported me in my choice to supplement theoretical coursework with applied statistics projects. While completing my Doctorate, I participated in the Statistical Society of Canada’s accreditation mentoring program, where I was paired with a Senior Statistician who was also a federal government employee. The experience was invaluable as we discussed non-mathematical aspects of statistics including career advancement, teamwork, and clarifying mathematical terms to a non-mathematical audience.
Mathematics, to me is . . . simply the means by which the world works. Math is found in the fabric of everything science, art, business, engineering, and is behind countless decisions we as individuals make on a daily basis. In particular, as a statistician, I use math to solve numerous interesting and complex problems related to the likelihood or chance of certain events occurring.
