Student Spotlight: Sharazad Ali, MA Statistics, Class of 2026
October 21, 2025 By: David Apilado, Jr.
Meet Sharazad Ali, a standout student in UC Berkeley’s MA Statistics program. Her path bridges data science and human behavior, and as a peer ambassador, she channels her passion for diversity in STEM into building connection and community across the program. Sharazad is originally from Fairfax, VA, and holds a dual undergraduate degree in Statistics and Psychology from Rice University.
Sharazad’s academic path began with a fascination for psychology, but she soon found herself wanting to better understand the data and statistical models driving the field's research. She wanted to grasp these concepts fully and this led her to take dedicated statistics courses, where she realized the applicability of these methods. She rediscovered her interest in mathematics, originally sparked in high school, and saw the power of quantitative tools in understanding complex human systems.
She's now focused on using her combined expertise to make a real-world impact. "One of my long-term goals is to work as a data scientist focused on optimizing employee productivity and well-being," Sharazad states."I always found the field of industrial psychology fascinating, and by developing predictive models and data-driven solutions, I hope to leverage my background in psychology and statistics to better understand human behavior and inform decisions around workplace design, product development, and employee engagement."
For Sharazad, a supportive and diverse environment is paramount. She chose Rice University for its reputation of having one of the happiest student populations, strong faculty-student relationships, and a diverse student body. These same values drew her to Berkeley's MA Statistics program. Her visit day was the deciding factor. She enjoyed the warm welcome from the department, connecting with future classmates, and the faculty’s genuine engagement. In particular, the faculty’s presence highlighted the rigorous and forward-thinking nature of statistics at Berkeley, and she knew she wanted to be part of that work. Sharazad was ready to be tested, and knew that the program would ultimately prepare her for a meaningful life and career after graduation.
A defining goal for Sharazad is being a champion for diversity in STEM and beyond. She is currently developing a centralized resource to help students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, easily discover career or educational opportunities tailored uniquely to them. The goal of this project is to make valuable opportunities more accessible and help students pursue paths that may have previously felt out of reach.
Sharazad’s belief in this mission is apparent: she values diversity because "when you have a bunch of people in the same room with the same voice it becomes an intellectual echo chamber." She understands that innovation is stifled when groups lack varied life experiences, educational backgrounds, and cultural viewpoints. For Sharazad, the power of data science lies in perspective. When people with different experiences share ideas, that’s when real breakthroughs happen. Diversity, to her, isn’t optional. Diversity is what makes the work truly fair and effective.
When Sharazad steps away from her statistical models, she enjoys a variety of hobbies: reading, writing, and playing basketball. She’s also a fan of anime and loves hitting the gym. In an effort to fully embrace the Bay Area lifestyle, she’s even attempting to pick up a popular Berkeley pastime: hiking!
Sharazad Ali represents the next generation of statisticians, one that is not only quantitatively brilliant but deeply committed to human-centered outcomes. Her focus on applying data science to understand complex human behavior, demonstrates the powerful, empathetic applications of a statistics degree. By championing diversity, Sharazad is ensuring that the critical field of data science benefits from the broadest possible range of perspectives.