Jessica Gong (she/her) Postdoctoral Research Associate
George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London
Contact:
Email: jgong@georgeinstitute.org.au
Twitter: @JessicaYGong
What does your job actually entail?
A lot of data analyses, reading, zoom calls, and writing on a normal day. I also get to meet many cool people, both in and outside of research!
When not at work you can be found...
Cycling around town, at a gig or the movies. I usually love to submerge myself in a body of water, but I am yet to find a good spot for that in London.
Why did you join the DSxHE community?
I love being in a community and meeting wonderful people, and chat about crazy ideas.
What should people reach out to you for help on/with?
Anything about dementia and the brain; but also ask for my canelé recipe one day.
What would like help with from members of the DSxHE community?
I want to learn what everyone is doing to improve health equity in their respective field: what can we do with the data we have available (cool statistical methods and the use of technologies), how to improve data sharing and democratising data access, what systemic and regulatory changes need to take place, and how to not further perpetuate the existing inequities, etc.
What’s a topic in data science/health equity that you know/care a lot about - why is it important/interesting, tell us about it!
Sex and gender differences in dementia (using large-scale datasets) – mainly because I have spent the last 3.5 years of my PhD on the topic. But I am interested in anything related to equity and diversity in general, especially how can data help to improve these. I also love learning about the different socio-cultural and socio-political contexts in diverse ethno-regional settings, and their influence on people’s day-to-day life.
What’s a recent article/book/video/blog/event you’ve come across on data science and/or health equity that you found interesting and why?
“Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men” by Caroline Criado-Perez – the book exposed so many appalling aspects of how gender bias exist in our everyday life.
What is not a big deal to most people but is torture to you?
I am terrible with direction. Once I got lost in a small village in Bolivia for a long time (unfortunately I did not have Google Maps, nor remember the street we were staying at to ask the locals). Apparently, I was only about five streets away.
What movie, book, or TV show changed your life?
Book: A little life; Movie: The lives of others.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
Teleporting, so I don’t have to spend 20+ hours (and without the environmental impact) on flights going home to Naarm/Melbourne.
What is your favourite rainy day activity?
Something music-related – making a Spotify playlist, playing the piano, putting on a record, or learning how to mix some songs with a DJ set.
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