Lauren Burke
Data Scientist
CoverMyMeds
Q&A
Who have you admired in your path into the sciences and what qualities did you see in them that you embody in your own path?
My mom is an Infectious Disease Physician who is curious, incredibly driven, and approaches problem-solving from all angles. As a kid, I was always interested in the world around me, wanting to explore and asking many, many questions to understand how things worked and why. I found myself gravitating toward math and computer science classes that allowed me to approach problems in a similar way. My mom always supported me in these interests and helped me in developing skills that allowed me to succeed.
Can you tell us about a memorable moment in your career—a time when you knew you were working in your purpose?
Last year, I moved into a new role and had the opportunity to lead the execution of a project from start to finish. After months of research, collaboration, coding, testing, and automation, we have finally seen the results of everything coming together. The ability to positively impact the patient experience is one reason I value working in the healthcare space. Measuring the impact of this project was a great feeling, knowing all of the work that went into it.
What is one book or film you would recommend to a young person interested in a career in sciences?
I would recommend, The Imitation Game, which tells the story of the codebreakers responsible for decrypting the “unbreakable” Enigma code during WWII. It features the story of the brilliant Joan Clarke, a British cryptanalyst and mathematician, who was a vital member of the team.
Career Highlights
- Strategize operations and community growth for Women in Analytics, a global community that promotes visibility to women making an impact in the analytics space, including assisting and leading the launch of the Ambassador Program, Women to Watch series, podcast, and merchandise
- Host the Women In Analytics After Hours Podcast connecting with women in data and analytics to discuss what they do in the space, how they got there, and more.
- Advised and supported the development of programs that promote a diverse data science workforce for Midwest Big Data Hub Community Advisory Panel, an NSF-funded Big Data Hubs to build data-centered communities and partnerships that enable real solutions to societal and scientific problems.
- Volunteered to support career, hackathon mentorship, and regional programming for TECH CORPS Regional Steering Committee, a national nonprofit that ensures K-12 students have equal access to CS/IT programs.
- Board Member for STEMifyGirls, an up-and-coming DC-based nonprofit that hosts events to inspire young women interested in STEM fields.
Biography
Lauren Burke is a Data Scientist at CoverMyMeds, a healthcare technology company. Her work centers on building models and systems that help enhance features, better understand user needs, and inform product decisions. Lauren began her data science career in retail, developing solutions across several areas, including supply chain, inventory management, and enterprise business. As Director of Operations of Women in Analytics, a global community that promotes visibility to women making an impact in the analytics space, Lauren’s primary focus lies in strategy and community growth. She has assisted and led the launch of multiple initiatives, including the Ambassador Program, Women to Watch, and merchandise, while expanding numerous others. She is also the Host of the WIA After Hours podcast. Lauren is an avid supporter of initiatives that foster enthusiasm for STEM and encourage the development of creative problem-solving skills. She serves as a Core Advisor on the Midwest Big Data Hub’s Community Advisory Panel, a member of TECH CORPS’ Regional Steering Committee, Chair of COSI’s KINETIC Board, and a member of the scikit-learn Communication Team. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from The College of Wooster and resides in Worthington, OH.
