Nursing professor Du Feng specializes in ordinal statistics, research methodology, and applications of longitudinal and multivariate data analysis. She can spot and the trends buried within research studies and determine what it all means in the real world. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in nursing research, health promotion and intervention, and health disparity research.

Why UNLV?

UNLV is trying to achieve the Tier 1 Research University status and I want to contribute to this phenomenal goal.

Where did you grow up?

Beijing, China

What's the biggest misconception about your field?

Sophisticate statistics can cure data problems that are caused by poor measurement or research design. The reality is that ideal research is characterized by the seamless integration of a well-articulated theoretical model, a vigorous research design, and a statistical model that is an operationalization of the theoretical model.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I always liked working with numbers and finding real word implications for statistical findings.

Proudest moment?

My proudest moment is giving birth to my first child, which happened a few days after earning my Ph.D.

One tip for success?

Keep your focus at all times.

If you could fix one thing in the world, what would it be?

Health care inequality within our country and across other nations.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

When I was young, I never wanted to be a teacher because all my parents and grandparents were teachers. I wanted to do something different.

Who was your favorite professor and why?

My favorite professors are those who can motivate their students to work hard, even when the subject matter is not the students' favorite. I hope that my students benefit from my teaching not only now, but also long after they graduate.

What can't you work without?

A clear mind and blocks of time in solitary.

Who is your hero?

Any person who is mindful and compassionate.

--compiled by Kevin Dunegan, communications specialist for the schools of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences