“Getting experience with RISE and other independent research opportunities was really important in preparing me for grad school.”
November 2021 – Lloyd Goldstein C’20 was taught a key lesson—among other things—in Drew University’s RISE program: “Taking shortcuts is never worth it.”
True to the lesson, Goldstein engaged in myriad research opportunities that provided him with the skills, experience, and résumé to enter The Ohio State University’s statistics PhD program, where he’s now in his second year.
Goldstein worked with Dr. Jon Kettenring in RISE, Drew’s one-of-a-kind research program that pairs undergraduate science students with retired star researchers and industrial scientists in the lab for one-on-one, hands-on research.
“Getting experience with RISE and other independent research opportunities was really important in preparing me for grad school, not just in terms of exposing me to a wider range of content, but also teaching me to think on my own and direct my own learning,” said Goldstein, who majored in computer science and minored in statistics at Drew.
“Dr. Kettenring knew exactly how to push me. He would never let me take the easy way out, and he was always fair and understanding,” he added.
“Lloyd took advantage of every opportunity at Drew,” said Sarah Abramowitz, Drew’s John H. Evans Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, who Goldstein performed research with and TA’d for in a sports statistics course.
Among the opportunities was a summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) where Goldstein learned a cutting edge statistical technique.
“He expanded on the knowledge gained in his REU and his independent study in RISE and applied the techniques in a project analyzing NFL quarterbacks,” said Abramowitz.
“That work evolved into an excellent honors thesis. These undergraduate experiences with close faculty mentoring give our students an edge when applying to and while in graduate school, and Lloyd is a perfect example.”
