Featuring Dr. Marco Hernandez: Strengthening Biostatistics Education in Public Health

Biostatistics is a cornerstone of any Master of Public Health (MPH) program, providing students with the essential skills to interpret research, evaluate evidence, and make informed public health decisions. While often considered one of the more challenging areas of public health education, it is also one of the most fundamental.

At Public Health U (PHU), we are committed to making biostatistics accessible, engaging, and relevant for our learners. We are pleased to feature Dr. Marco Hernandez, our subject-matter expert in biostatistics, whose expertise, dedication, and contributions have significantly strengthened the biostatistics learning experience. 

Dr. Hernandez views biostatistics as a powerful intersection of mathematics, medicine, technology, and public health. He emphasizes that statistical thinking and coding are not merely technical skills but practical tools that empower future public health professionals to understand complex data, generate evidence, and contribute to solutions to global health challenges. He notes that “most people see math as cold formulas on a whiteboard, but in biostatistics, every data point has a heartbeat. Behind every life-saving cure and pandemic blueprint, there isn’t just a doctor in a lab coat; there is also a statistician decoding the numbers that save lives.”

For Dr. Hernandez, teaching biostatistics is not only about developing technical skill but also inspiring students to recognize their ability to use data to make an impact. He shares, “There is nothing like watching a student’s face light up when their code finally runs without errors. Teaching biostatistics allows me to demystify complex medical/health data for others. I love showing students that math and statistics aren’t scary; they are just accessible tools that are used to change the world.” 

His commitment to making biostatistics engaging and approachable is reflected in the experiences of his students. Here’s what they had to say:

"Overall, I found this course to be very informative and well organized. The material was appropriately challenging for students learning biostatistics, and I felt that it helped build a solid understanding of the concepts. I especially appreciated that we were required to explain our analyses and interpretations rather than simply perform calculations, as this reinforced the reasoning behind the statistical methods and improved my understanding of the material.”
Student 1
“Thank you very much for your time and patience! It makes a huge difference to have such a kind professor to learn from. I am glad to have taken your class.”
Student 2

At Public Health U, we work alongside institutions and educators to support the development, enhancement, and delivery of high-quality public health education. Through collaboration with experienced subject matter experts Dr. Hernandez, we help strengthen courses, align content with evolving public health needs, and enhance learner engagement through innovative approaches. We are grateful for Dr. Hernandez’s expertise, dedication, and continued commitment to empowering the next generation of public health professionals.