Title: Data Analyst
Employer: Office of the Chief Information Officer at University of Illinois
Prior Position: Graduate and Undergraduate Research Assistant, Caceres Lab; Lab Prep Staff, School of Integrative Biology
Cameron graduated in 2017 with his BS degree in Integrative Biology and continued his education here at Illinois as a graduate student both in the Caceres Lab, earning a MS in 2021, as well as an MEd in the College of Education in 2020.
His current position involves facilitating data-driven decision making through insights gained from various approaches, including dashboards, reports, automated searches, and presentations. He has provided metrics and data resources for the official Illinois mobile app, campus networking, eText, and early alert reporting for student success. His position as a Data Analyst allows him to solve puzzles and find ways to use data to tell stories that help to inform and guide leadership teams and other important stakeholders. He has additionally worked for SHIELD Illinois as a Logistics and Supply Chain Specialist and then Procurement and Logistics Manager, and then as an Associate Data Analyst before working his way to becoming a Data Analyst at the University of Illinois.
He graduated with High Distinction for his independent research in his undergraduate education, studying the effects of resource manipulation on the development of mosquitoes, continuing research from his undergraduate to graduate education here in the School of Integrative Biology. His work included rearing mosquitoes from eggs to adulthood, extracting DNA, sampling from field sites, and identifying mosquitoes to species. He published three research papers, and additionally served as a TA for four semesters, as well as completing the Secondary Education Teaching Licensure program.
Studying Integrative Biology here at UIUC prepared Cameron for these and other roles by constantly presenting him with opportunities to improve the skills he commonly needs and uses, such as critical thinking, communication, time management, and collaboration.
Cameron would love to connect with students who would like to learn more about research, classes, graduate education, or finding careers related to the intersection of scientific data analysis, education, and research. Contact Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu if you would like to connect with Cameron.
“I have had some amazing mentors throughout my life, and I believe that I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them. Because of this, I truly hope to be on the other side of that relationship for as many people as I can.”