BEAMS

Biostatisticians and Epidemiologists at Michigan State 

BEAMS is the primary organization of epidemiology and biostatistics graduate students at Michigan State University. 

• Mission and History of BEAMS

  BEAMS is the primary organization of epidemiology and biostatistics graduate students at Michigan State University. BEAMS is dedicated to the promotion of a high quality epidemiology graduate education and research environment at MSU and to the promotion of public's health, in Michigan, elsewhere in the United States, and overseas.

  GEMS was formally created in 1999 as an organization that serves the interest of the member-students: (a) through sponsorship of scientific meetings and journal clubs, (b) by providing a forum for discussions on any topic that concerns GEMS members and their educational and research activities, (c) recognizing outstanding contributions to the field, and (d) advocacy for issues pertinent to GEMS. The organization was renamed BEAMS ins March, 2022 to better reflect both the epidemiology and biostatistics graduate students.

• PURPOSE OF BEAMS

  1. Discussion forum for epidemiology and biostatistics graduate students

  2. Advocate actions that enhance the science and practice of epidemiology and biostatistics among students

  3. Promote professional student development through educational activities

  4. old social events to encourage a friendly environment for networking and fun

• BE A PART of BEAMS

  President of BEAMS Responsibilities:

  Responsibilities include: for month-to-month and semester-to-semester policy and programmatic decisions and for convening GEMS meetings; representing BEAMS in negotiations with the department chair and other unit administrators pertinent to GEMS.

  Vice President of BEAMS Responsibilities

  Responsibilities include: operational logistics for the bimonthly BEAMS meetings and attendance at departmental graduate committee meetings, as scheduled. Assists the president in the planning of seminars and journal club activities regarding the applications of epidemiology, as well as social events.

Leadership team for the 2025-26 academic year

 

BEAMS ACTIVITIES

Some of the activities of BEAMS include: BEAMS Night Out, Food Drives

• Haven House

  Haven House is a homeless shelter providing emergency housing and support services for both one- and two-parent families with children, emphasizing safe shelter, healthy food, and clothing. The shelter provides families with programs that offer assistance with attaining housing within a realistic budget (Rapid Rehousing), in addition to classes and activities for parent and children (Family Life).

   

  

• PIE NIGHT at Grand Traverse Pie Company

   

  

• Department Picnic

   

  

• Push 4 Plasma

  

  GEMS has established a Push 4 Plasma (P4P) Chapter at MSU! Our first Chapter blood/convalescent plasma drives were held on March 18 and March 31, 2021 at the Union in the Lake Huron Room. 

  P4P is a national campaign presented by the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project (organization that GEMS represents), University Blood Initiative, Survivor Corps, and American Association of Blood Banks. To learn more about us and what we do, please visit: https://www.universitybloodinitiative.org/push4plasma

  The P4P MSU Chapter is bringing Versiti to the East Lansing campus for the very first time! Versiti is a LOCAL blood center, meaning that donations stay in Michigan. 

   

• Blood Drive

  
  

      

• Bake Sales

   

  

• Alumni Career Connection Series
  • Alumni Career Connection Series is a series of informal meet and greets with Department alumni from diverse career pathways, including academic research centers, health departments, hospital systems, government agencies, non-profit organizations, consulting, and the private sector. The purpose of this series is to help students explore future career pathways and to expand opportunities for networking.