Daniel Weiner

Tell us a bit about yourself

I grew up outside of Boston with many of the classic elements of a New England childhood – playing baseball and watching the Red Sox at Fenway, biking along the Minuteman, and always anticipating snow days. During my college years at Yale I discovered interests in science and medicine, and I decided to pursue a cognitive science degree focused on the neuroscience and genetics of decision-making. I also spent many late, engaging nights figuring out how to explain science to the general public as a reporter and editor for the Yale Daily News. After graduation, I spent two years studying autism genetics at the Broad Institute. I’ve been a medical student in the HMS MD/PhD program over the past two years, and I’m so excited to pursue graduate studies in BIG.

What is your research area and why is it exciting?

Genetics has the potential to dramatically transform how we think about prevention, diagnosis and treatment in medicine. I am interested in studying and developing the tools of statistical and population genetics to better understand and address these questions during my time in BIG and the MD/PhD program.

What do you do when you are not working:

Anything outside, particularly running loops around Jamaica Pond and the Charles! I also like cooking and trying new, interesting restaurants.