Meet Sarah Gautam, data analyst, UCSF Fresno  & UC Tech News survey giveaway winner

Congratulations, Sarah Gautam, data analyst, UCSF Fresno, for winning one of the $75 gift cards from the drawing for UC Tech News survey participants last summer. In this e-interview with the UC Tech News team, Gautam advocates for a growth mindset, and emphasizes her active involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Gautam also recommended that her colleagues continue to actively explore machine learning and clinical data language modeling.

1. Tell us about you and your career at UC (or before that). Where have you been and where are you headed? Who/what influenced your journey?

I have been working for UCSF Fresno for a year now as a Data Analyst II. I worked for Delhi Unified, in California, as their systems and applications analyst for 10 years. I was recruited by my former employer who knew I would be a good fit for the position. I am grateful for the opportunity and have immensely enjoyed working for UCSF and our IT team.

2. What do you find most meaningful about your work?

I take pride in being part of a remarkable team at UCSF that is impacting lives positively and pushing the boundaries of science and medicine. This experience reminds me of the famous story of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to NASA when he asked a janitor what he was doing, and the janitor replied, “I’m putting a man on the moon.” My role at UCSF sparks a similar meaning for me. Everyone I have encountered at UCSF shares a common commitment to giving their best and thinking innovatively outside the box. This fosters an environment that cultivates exceptional medical professionals and administrative teams. We strive to improve our systems and embrace adaptations with our ever changing world.

3. What is a typical day or week like for you (inside or outside work)? Any routines, insights or resources you can share about what makes you tick or how you get things done? 

Within IT, the school year calendar follows a regular routine, but there are daily operations that involve a diverse range of projects. We frequently receive requests from individuals seeking to implement their ideas. The key to success is building a strong network and maintaining a growth mindset, opening the door to endless possibilities and solutions.

4. Are there any diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) awareness events that are meaningful to you that you’d like to share? 

The DEI Committee at UCSF Fresno is dedicated to understanding the employee population and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in various arenas, including recruitment, student engagement, research, and more. I’ve been actively involved in this committee, contributing data visualizations and analysis support. I encourage everyone to set aside time to explore the UC Learning Center and engage in at least one DEI activity, whether it’s through audiobooks or brief, 30-minute e-courses. Additionally, keep an eye out for the upcoming DEI Champion training courses.

5. Are there any current trends that you think will be important/people should know about or look forward to? 

AI, particularly Chat GPT, is becoming increasingly integral in our workforce across various roles. Look for its integration into UCSF research and data processes. AI offers a remarkable capacity to expedite the discovery of answers. I recommend exploring machine learning and clinical data language modeling.

Contact

Sarah Gautam
Data Analyst II
UCSF Fresno Information Technology Services

[Cover image #altext: Sarah Gautam, Data Analyst II, UCSF Fresno Information Technology Services – “We strive to improve our systems and embrace adaptations with our ever-changing world.”]