Columbia University - Index

Columbia University - Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health - Index

INSPIRATIONAL
TEACHING:
MELISSA BEGG, SCD
For each of her 18 years as a faculty member at the Mailman School, Melissa Begg, ScD, professor
of clinical Biostatistics and co-director of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational
Research, has taught one of the most highly rated classes at the School-Analysis of Categorical
Data. "Not the sexiest topic, I realize,? says Dr. Begg.
But the praise she receives in course evaluations provides some insight into how she
teaches students an often-intimidating subject. Says one student, "Dr. Begg teaches with the
real world in mind, and I fi nally understand why statistics is important.? Added another: "I learned
more than I thought I was ever capable of learning about statistics.?
"Early on in each semester, I search the classroom for that tell-tale stare-the one that
lets me know a student is not connecting to the material,? says Dr. Begg. "For me, that look is
inspirational. It continually forces me to come up with new and creative ways to illustrate the
connection between statistics and public health, and to help students understand this concept
as it relates to their work, now and in the future.?
For her stellar teaching ability, Dr. Begg has received the Mailman School's Teaching Excellence
Award and Columbia University's Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching, the highest
teaching honor the University bestows upon a professor.
mailman.columbia.edu/experience 5