Springfield College Health Science Students Assist with COVID-19 Data Project

Wed, 06/10/2020 - 12:00

Students from the Springfield College Health Science major have been working on a national project to track the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. Students Yue Li, Ashley Tanner, Alexandra Christine Jones, Brenna Keefe, Dhruvi Patel, and Callie Dowd have been taking part in an internship to assist with this very important project.

Participating students are responsible for tracking historical data and collecting daily data, as well as participating in special interest team projects that include computer based automation, data visualization, infectious disease, policy, social media, and fundraising.

“A group of Springfield College Health Science students are participating in an internship that involves collecting data to track the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States,” said Springfield College Assistant Professor of Public Health Sofija Zagarins. “This internship is part of the COVID-19 Data Project, which is a collaboration of over 200 students, statisticians, epidemiologists, healthcare experts, and data scientists throughout the country.”

BroadStreet’s COVID-19 Data Project is a collaboration of more than 40 colleges and universities throughout the United States. This project brings together people who are committed to having the most accurate, community-level data about the COVID-19 positive tests and fatality rates. Along with Springfield College, colleges and universities also taking part include Harvard, Yale, Boston University, Temple, and Duke University.

Through BroadStreet’s COVID-19 Data Project Internship, health care professionals have access to data that can help them to improve how they spend their time and resources on improving community health.

“We have been humbled by the outpouring of support, especially from the collegiate community,” said the BroadStreet Co-founder Tracy Flood. “We know that right now students have a unique set of challenges trying to navigate these difficult times, maintaining their studies, most who are away from home and while adapting to their new normal. Despite this, we wanted to recognize students who have graciously donated their time and talent to our project.”

For more information about the project, use the Covid19dataproject.org website to follow along with information and updates from the participants.

Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.