GRADUATE ASSISTANT SPOTLIGHT - Silvia Sharna
Degree Program: Ph.D. in Data Science
Graduate Assistant: Electronic Theses and Dissertations, Graduate College
Teaching Associate: Department of ASOR
Hello! I am Silvia Sharna, a Data Science Ph.D. student with a passion and dedication in the field of Statistics and Data Analytics. The amalgamation of mathematical precision and technological innovation within these domains sparks my curiosity, propelling me to delve into the boundless possibilities and applications they present.
I was born and raised in Bangladesh, a small but culturally rich country in South Asia. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Statistics from one of the renowned universities in Bangladesh. Prior to starting my PhD at BGSU, I earned my master’s in Actuarial Science at Ball State University. During my master’s degree, I worked as a graduate teaching and research assistant.
I started my PhD in 2019 and started working as a graduate assistant in the Electronic Theses and Dissertations section of the Graduate College from Fall of 2021. My key responsibility includes reviewing theses and dissertations submitted by the BGSU graduate students in the "Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK)", working with the Graduate Clearance Portal through OnBase to keep a track and update the academic records of the students’ database, helping and administering workshops on theses and dissertations etc. I also help the office with various other administrative responsibilities. Working as a graduate assistant in the ETD of the graduate college has given me the opportunity to work directly with the students. It has sharpened my skill of communication, time management, having attention to details and solving problems based on the practical nature of the problem.
Besides working as a graduate assistant, recently I have started working as a Teaching Associate in the Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research at BGSU. The idea of engaging with students, fostering a vibrant learning environment, and contributing to their intellectual growth resonates deeply with me. Having meaningful discussions with the students, exchanging ideas and inspiring the students to be involved in critical thinking has been some of the key components of my classroom.
I strongly believe that the experience of working both as a graduate assistant and the teaching associate will leave a great impact to set the stage for my future endeavors. I am dedicated to continued growth and making meaningful contributions to the society.
Outside of my academic and professional life, I am a mother. I love to cook, bake and spending time with my kiddo! We enjoy our weekends playing board games, eating traditional foods and watching funny movies. Last but not the least, I would love to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone in the Graduate College as well as the entire BGSU community for shaping me to the person who I am today!
