Defying Expectations: From BS in Finance to MS in Bioinformatics at Yale

“Cal Poly gave me the flexibility to explore, the support to grow, and the freedom to forge an interdisciplinary path,” writes Anaïs Lohier.

Recent finance graduate Anaïs Lohier will pursue an MS degree in bioinformatics at Yale this fall. We asked her to describe her journey across two seemingly unrelated fields of study. Below is her reply in her own words:

When I applied to Cal Poly, I knew I liked math but wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to apply it. I was eager to gain practical skills and build a strong foundation for the future, so I chose to major in business administration. After taking my first statistics course, I was hooked, which led me to add a concentration in quantitative analysis to sharpen my analytical abilities. I also pursued minors in French and biology to connect with my heritage and explore my passion for science.

During my second year, I studied abroad with Semester at Sea. That experience broadened my worldview and deepened my appreciation for how global perspectives enrich and contribute to both academic and personal growth.

Back on campus, I joined the Student Managed Portfolio Project (SMPP) under Dr. Cyrus Ramezani, where I gained hands-on experience in financial modeling and investment strategy. I also became involved with the Women in Business Leadership Academy (WBLA), first as a mentee and later as a mentor. Through this program, I built skills in professionalism, networking, and career readiness while helping guide first-year students through their own transitions.

Thanks to AP credits and summer coursework, I was able to graduate in three years. Wanting to continue my education and pursue my love of learning, I applied to master’s programs in bioinformatics, a field that combines my interests in biology and data. I’m excited to begin my M.Sc. at Yale this fall.

Cal Poly gave me the flexibility to explore, the support to grow, and the freedom to forge an interdisciplinary path. I am deeply grateful to the professors and mentors who encouraged me every step of the way. I would love to connect, so feel free to reach out!

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