Celebrating MS Capstone graduates from the class of 2026

March 17, 2026

Photo of Master of Science graduates from the class of 2026, UW Biostatistics

Student graduates from the UW Biostatistics MS Capstone program at the University of Washington Hans Rosling Center on March 14, 2025

University of Washington Master of Science in Biostatistics Capstone program graduates were recognized in a ceremony held Friday, March 13 at the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health.

MS Capstone Director and Professor of Biostatistics Kathleen Kerr applauded students on their achievement:

"We're all very proud of your hard work, and to see how much you've grown over the past year and a half. We're so glad that you found our quirky and collaborative field of biostatistics. I hope you are attracted to this field because you're an innately curious person, dedicated to the rigorous pursuit of knowledge, and I hope that you'll develop these qualities as your careers grow."

Assistant Professor of Biostatistics Kevin Lin delivered the commencement address.

Assistant Professor Kevin Lin addressing students at the 2026 MS Capstone Graduation, UW Biostatistics — Kevin Lin, assistant professor of biostatistics delivered a commencement address that focused on optimism as a strategic choice.

Lin said:

“You're entering a world of infinite paths. Some of them you see, some of them you don't even realize exist quite yet. For a room full of biostatisticians, this might be quite anxiety-inducing. We're trained to model, to predict, to know the optimum solution, and when you can't see the end of the road, it's easy to get paralyzed worrying about the best move.

“Optimism, at the end of the day, is a tool that breaks through anxiety and insecurity. It is a choice to say, ‘I don't know where this path leads, but I have the skills to navigate it, and I'm going have a good time doing it, or at the very least, have a good story to tell afterwards.’

“Optimism is not necessarily a personality choice. It is a strategic choice. Use it to navigate the messiness, use it to choose your people, and use it to build that fulfilling life that you would like to tell stories about. The strongest allegiances you will form in your life are not to a company or to a salary. It is the human connections that make your life feel whole,” concluded Lin.

Ali Shojaie, professor and interim department chair, and Ken Rice, professor and graduate program director, joined Kerr in presenting the graduating class.