Student Spotlight: Biratal Wagle, MS'25

How a passion for computational biology, a collaborative academic community, and cutting-edge research at Dartmouth shaped one student’s path to influencing healthcare through data.

For Biratal Wagle, the journey into Health Data Science began with a strong foundation in Physics and Computer Science—and a curiosity about how those disciplines could intersect with biology. During an early research project in computational biology using computer vision, Biratal discovered a newfound passion for applying technical skills to uncover insights in health and medicine. This initial exposure sparked a deeper exploration into biomedical data, and his work analyzing the connection between mitochondria and cancer only solidified his drive. The realization that his computational expertise could directly contribute to meaningful advances in healthcare led him to reimagine his career trajectory entirely.

When it came time to choose a graduate program, Dartmouth stood out. “I was searching for programs that connected statistics and computer science to real-world health outcomes, and Dartmouth’s curriculum immediately resonated with me,” Biratal says. “It wasn’t just theory—it was practical, focused, and clearly designed to prepare students for innovation.” The reputation of Dartmouth’s close-knit academic community and its extensive alumni network added to the program’s appeal.

Since arriving at Dartmouth, Biratal has immersed himself in both coursework and research. In the lab, he’s had the opportunity to work with advanced machine learning models. His role with Dartmouth’s Research Computing group has allowed him to explore Large Language Models and develop a nuanced understanding of their potential applications in health-related contexts. These experiences have inspired a growing interest in GenAI and NLP-based solutions for biomedical data—areas he hopes to continue exploring in both academic and industry settings.

One of the most rewarding surprises for Biratal has been the strength of the Dartmouth community. “I had heard that Dartmouth was friendly, but I didn’t expect just how collaborative and generous everyone would be,” he says. From faculty mentorship to peer support, he found a network of people who are genuinely invested in each other’s success. “Whether it’s research advice, job searching, or just day-to-day support, everyone really shows up for one another.”

Looking ahead, Biratal is pursuing roles that combine his technical skills with his passion for discovery—whether as a data analyst or computational biologist in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry, or in a research role at a university. Ultimately, he hopes to contribute to solutions that redefine what's possible in healthcare through data-driven approaches.

To incoming students, he offers a key piece of advice: “Reach out early and often. Your professors, your peers—everyone here wants to help you thrive. The resources are incredible, but it’s up to you to make use of them. Start building those connections on day one. They’ll shape your experience and stay with you long after graduation.”

POSTED 5/20/2025 AT 11:20 AM IN #studentspotlight #HealthDataScience #MS #2025