Lookin’ at U: Harlan Sayles

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee.

This week, we learn more about:

• Name: Harlan Sayles
• Hometown: Kearney, Neb.
• No. of years at UNMC: Eight

Tell us about what you do here at UNMC.

I am part of the Center for Collaboration on Research Design and Analysis (CCORDA) within the College of Public Health. As a member of CCORDA, I work mostly with faculty members, residents and other researchers on our campus to help design studies, collect data, analyze data and produce reports from the analysis that are ultimately turned into research papers or oral/poster presentations for professional conferences. I have an M.S. degree in survey research, so I also help with questionnaire design and survey planning for those who are using surveys as part of their research. Additionally, I’m in the department of biostatistics where I teach the online version of Biostatistics I.

Courage is one of UNMC’s brand values. Tell us of a time you witnessed this value at UNMC.
Prior to the arrival of the Ebola patients who came to our campus for treatment, I worked with Drs. Phil Smith and Shawn Gibbs and other team members on a variety of research projects. When we learned that patients were coming here, I heard Phil and Shawn say that they were not only willing to help, but excited to be able to provide treatment to these highly infectious individuals whom few other people had the expertise and facilities to be able to provide.

What is your favorite spring activity?
I love to get outside and exercise in a variety of ways, including yard work, running (I’m training for my seventh half marathon), and officiating high school lacrosse (now my 10th season) and football for (14 years).

List three things people may not know about you.

• I played sousaphone (tuba) for five seasons in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhusker Marching Band and saw us win a national championship! I am lucky enough to own a sousaphone and to play it at several events throughout the year.
• I am a huge metal fan. For a guy who has spent nearly his whole life living in what many call “flyover country,” I feel fortunate to have seen almost every band that I’ve ever wanted to see except Iron Maiden, who is coming to Lincoln this summer. My mom bought me tickets for my last birthday.
• I’ve been to five of the seven continents. I look forward to going to South America someday, but I’ll probably be fine if I never make it to Antarctica.