In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Feb. 11), The Daily spoke with women at Case Western Reserve University who advance scientific study in disciplines ranging from technology and engineering to social science, business and law.
One of those women is Elaina Bancroft, a third-year economics major and first-year in the Integrated Master of Business Analytics and Intelligence program at the Weatherhead School of Management. Learn more about her:
The reason Elaina Bancroft has been drawn to math-focused classes since high school is a simple answer, quite literally.
“I really like having an answer,” she said. “I enjoy that mindset of analyzing a problem and arriving at a solution.”
Bancroft, a third-year economics major, is also in her first year of the Integrated Master of Business Analytics and Intelligence program in the Weatherhead School of Management.
Bancroft applied for the integrated program after searching for another area of study to pair with her economics major. Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Integrated Studies Jenny Hawkins recommended the program to Bancroft because it would give her an outlet to use her analytical mindset in the corporate world.
“It feels scary to say you’re applying to grad school, but giving women in the economics major a reminder that they are more than capable of tackling the master’s program is important,” Bancroft said.
This semester, Bancroft is working as a research assistant with co-director of the Master of Business Analytics and Intelligence program, Jagdip Singh, on a project analyzing the resistance/resilience in frontline healthcare workers and their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and what it could mean for future pandemics of this size.
During the project, she will help to create data visualizations through computer programming to analyze the research.
“I’ve sincerely enjoyed my time in the program thus far,” Bancroft said. “It’s given me the chance to use the statistical and mathematical fundamentals I have learned and apply it to something I can feel a tangible impact in.”