Professional Development Series Archive
2025-2026
2025-2026 Professional Development Series - Fall 2025
statistical careers in the pharmaceutical industry
Friday, October 3, 2025
Talk Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Networking Reception: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Ruan Conference Room – lower level (Chambers Hall 600 Foster Street)
Speaker: Dong Xi, Statistical Advisor, Biostatistics, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (PhD in Statistics, 2013, Northwestern University)
Abstract: This talk aims to provide an overview of career development in the pharmaceutical industry as a statistician. Examples will be shared to illustrate how statisticians make impacts in drug development and contribute to innovation. Critical skills will be highlighted to thrive in a cross-functional setting. This talk will also delve into the process of finding internships and permanent positions. Tips will be offered to equip students with essential knowledge to launch their careers in the pharmaceuticals industry.
Dr. Dong Xi is currently a Statistical Advisor in the Biometrics department at Gilead Sciences, Inc. He is a member of the Biostatistics Innovation Group. Prior to joining Gilead, he was a statistician in the Statistical Methodology group at Novartis. He has supported development and implementation of innovative statistical methodologies in multiple comparisons, dose finding, group sequential designs, estimands and causal inference. He is an associate editor of Statistics in Biopharmaceutical Research.
The talk scheduled for Winter 2026 was canceled
2025-2026 Professional Development Series - Spring 2026
Data Science Across Consumer and Community Banking at JPMorganChase
Friday, April 10, 2026
Talk Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Networking Reception: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Ruan Conference Room – lower level (Chambers Hall 600 Foster Street)
Speaker: Justin Martin, Executive Director of Data Science, JPMorganChase (PhD Harvard University, 2017; MSc Brown University, 2014; BA Vanderbilt University, 2010)
Abstract: Justin will discuss key aspects of a job in data science within a large financial services company (JPMorganChase). He will describe the Focused Analytics Solutions Team (FAST) and his role within that team, in addition to his experience prior to JPMorganChase and prior roles he has had at the firm. He will also cover the high-level goals of the FAST team as well as details on example projects and what a typical day in his role entails. He will close by focusing on how his academic background has enabled success in his career and offer advice on pursuing a career in data science in financial services.
Justin is an Executive Director in Data Science within Data & Analytics at JPMorganChase. As a director on the Focused Analytics Solutions Team (FAST) within Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Justin leads internal consulting data science teams in delivering business impact through advanced analytics, machine learning, and GenAI across all parts of CCB.
Justin engages with analytics teams in Auto Finance, Wealth Management, Travel, Offers & Shopping, Sales Science, Business Banking, and AML/KYC, among others, to drive value and shape business strategy using a variety of data science tools; examples include ML-driven customer risk scoring, AI-enabled complaint classification, and automation of forecasting processes, saving hundreds of hours annually.
In addition, as part of FAST’s core mission of serving as a talent pipeline into CCB, Justin focuses on building and developing high-performing teams—mentoring mid-level leaders, fostering autonomy, and enabling career mobility that advances future leaders.
Justin joined JPMorganChase and FAST in 2021 after prior work in healthcare data science and earning a PhD in psychology from Harvard University in 2017.