A journey of service: From data enthusiast to public health advocate

Adam Parker, PhD, MS ’93 (biostatistics), sits on the Board of Directors of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Public Health Foundation, and he holds a Master of Science degree from the School.

His training in biostatistics, and a fascination with the secrets hidden within large troves of data, prepared him for a successful career on Wall Street. He currently serves as Founder of U.S. equity-focused firm Trivariate Research, where he specializes in rooting out inefficiencies in the stock market. His continued involvement in the Gillings School made him increasingly aware of how much public health significantly improves the quality of life and productivity for many.

Parker is quick to point out that the world of statistics was vastly different when he went to college. “Computers were a rarity among students, and the field was steeped in theory,” he said. However, he developed core statistical competencies while working alongside researchers who were at the forefront of the field.

As a student, he found that he thrived on problem sets rather than essays, and his data-focused journey led him to the University of North Carolina, drawn by a significant investment from SAS Institute and cutting-edge software for applied statistics.

Reminiscing on his first visit to Chapel Hill, Parker acknowledges that the sunny, 75-degree weather starkly contrasted with the frigid 5-degree weather in Pittsburgh, where he had just gone on another university tour. However, he notes that the brilliance of professors like Lawrence Kupper, PhD ’70, and Gary Koch, PhD ’68, along with an impressive student body, left a lasting impression.

“The autonomy and inspiring community at UNC drew me back,” he said. “It was the people and the freedom to pursue meaningful work that made all the difference.”

After realizing career success, Parker’s interest in public health continued to grow, fueled by a desire to engage in meaningful philanthropy. Conversations with influential figures like Michael Bloomberg, who emphasized the importance of extending productive years of life, resonated deeply with him. He saw the potential for data and analytics to revolutionize health care, making it more efficient and effective.

“Public health isn’t just about treating diseases; it’s about preventing them and improving lives on a large scale,” he said. “That’s why I’m passionate about supporting this field.”

Parker has served on the Public Health Foundation Board at the Gillings School for 10 years, including as immediate past chair, and during that time, he has advocated for the critical role of public health in extending life expectancy and improving productivity. He is particularly excited about opportunities to fuse health care and technology, such as the use of artificial intelligence to reduce errors in breast cancer screening. This innovation has the potential to improve patient outcomes while freeing health care professionals to focus on patients.

“Adam has been a great partner and friend, and I am grateful for his steadfast leadership of the board over the past two years,” said Mary Margaret Caroll, associate dean for advancement at the Gillings School. “This caps a decade of service that has ensured a strong board and sound management of our charitable funds.”

Through his service, Parker aims to inspire others to support the Gillings School, ensuring UNC continues to lead in public health innovation and make a lasting impact on communities worldwide.

“Seeing the potential for data and analytics to revolutionize health care is incredibly exciting,” said Parker. “It’s not just about better stocks; it’s about better outcomes for everyone.”