Employee Spotlight: Alyssa Parafinczuk

Alyssa Parafinczuk | Statistician III | Joined Penumbra in 2023

Q. What is your current role at Penumbra?

I am the lead statistician on our pulmonary embolism studies. I oversee the data and statistical analyses we produce for the studies, and the data that we disseminate to the scientific community.

Q. What drew you to Penumbra?

I knew I wanted to work in biostatistics in a space that directly impacts people’s lives, particularly within medical device or pharmaceuticals. Penumbra stood out to me for its patient-centered innovation and strong reputation in the field. With a background in neurobiology, the therapeutic areas felt like a natural fit, and I was drawn to the emphasis on producing reliable, meaningful data.

Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?

In my role, I have the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of cross-functional teams on a daily basis–statistical programming, scientific communications, study management, data management, safety, and many more. I really value the teamwork and how our groups come together to achieve shared goals. It’s rewarding to not only focus on the numbers, but to also help communicate our results in meaningful ways to both internal teams and the broader scientific community.

Q. If you did not pursue your current career, what do you see yourself doing professionally?

If I had not pursued my current career, I know I still would have chosen a patient-centered path. I likely would have applied to medical school and pursued either neurology or pediatrics.

Q. Describe yourself at age 10. What career aspirations did you have at that age?

I was a very analytical kid and loved math and history at school. Back then, after a school career day, I decided I wanted to be a scientist.

Q. Describe a travel adventure that you’ll never forget.

Studying abroad in Spain during college is a travel adventure I’ll never forget. I was able to explore so many cities during my time there and immerse myself in the culture. As a history lover, it was especially amazing to see ancient Roman architecture one day and explore a medieval city the next. A highlight for me was visiting the Alhambra in Granada!