Grateful for our JG interns Ben and Brianna

by | Dec 6, 2024 | JGRE News


This summer and fall, JG hosted two undergraduate interns: Ben Lagos (summer) and Brianna Bogad (fall). Ben worked with our quantitative team this past summer, focusing on the CAST and Crisis Systems project. Brianna supported the Vermont Prevention Coalition Evaluation and WICHE projects throughout her fall semester, helping with document review, qualitative coding, and data cleaning. We were so thrilled to work with these two, not only to provide provide professional experience for their internships, but are truly appreciative of their focus and hard work. To get to know these two, we asked about their internship experience and in typical JG fashion, what kind of ice cream they would be eating on their ideal day off.

Ben Lagos:

University: University At Buffalo
Major(s): Statistics and Mathematics with minors in Public Health and History
Hometown: Montrose, New York
Why were you interested in internship:  “I was interested in interning at JG because of their mission to use data analysis for public good and I also wanted experience in the practical application of statistical analysis in Public Health.”
Favorite part of the internship:  “My favorite parts of the internship were being able to work with actual data and understand its application to real projects. Also being able to speak to professionals and ask questions about the field.”

My ideal day off would be an early fall day, making crepes for breakfast and then going for a walk by the Hudson River.  Eating a picnic lunch by the water’s edge, later taking the train into New York City and seeing an evening baseball or soccer game. My Ice cream order is strawberry ice cream with gummy bears. – Ben Lagos

Brianna Bogad: “I’m a senior at The University of Tampa studying Applied Sociology and Mathematics. I enjoy being active, and I play on the club volleyball team at my school. I was originally interested in the internship to broaden my experience with applied research. At JGRE, I have been working primarily on the Vermont Project contributing to qualitative analysis and the WICHE project contributing to data cleaning and management. I’ve learned valuable skills and methods for applied social research, and the hands-on experience I got has solidified my interest in the field. My favorite part of the internship would have to be our weekly meetings, “Monday Morning Meetups”, where the staff has a chance to connect about work projects, weekend plans, and other general topics.”

I live in Tampa, Florida, and my ideal day would begin with a morning walk along Bayshore Boulevard, stopping at the Davis Island coffee shop afterward for brunch. I would then stop by the beach to play volleyball with some friends. I would end the day with a good book and a nice candle- preferably lavender chamomile or pine. My favorite ice cream is birthday cake but specifically the Publix brand! –Brianna Bogad

Ben and Brianna, thank you!