Research Staff Spotlight: Bryan Lei

Biostatistician Bryan Lei’s career choice is tied to a lifelong passion. “I’ve always loved working with numbers,” Bryan says. After studying mathematics in college, Bryan spent three years working at a bank. “But I realized that I wanted to pursue something that felt like it had a more direct benefit to society, with a mission in which I believed,” he explains.

Bryan decided to earn a master’s degree in biostatistics and later joined CHLA as a biostatistician in the TSRI Cores Administration. “I get to collaborate with many different investigators here, and every project is different,” he says. “It allows me to explore many different medical topics and broaden my knowledge.”

Currently, one of the projects Bryan is working on focuses on the relationship between screen time and mental health. “The project is looking at the association between the amount of time spent using electronic devices and anxiety and depression,” he explains.

Bryan’s favorite part about his role at CHLA is the fact that the welcoming environment offers opportunities for constant learning. “The people I work with are so committed to improving children’s health and supporting those around them, and they encourage me to always keep learning and to grow professionally,” he says. “My manager actually organized a biostatistician reading group, so all of us can meet on a regular basis to discuss new techniques to analyze data.”

When he’s not working, Bryan enjoys playing badminton, trying out new dessert recipes, hiking, and spending time with his two cats.