On Friday, October 23rd, MSS students gathered to hear from program Alumni for their Annual Alumni Event, organized by the Graduate Consultative Committee (GCC). The goal of the event is to provide an opportunity for current MSS students in the Department of Statistical Science to gain insight from MSS Program Alumni into the practice of statistics and data science in industry and research. Participants had a chance to hear from Alumni representing a broad range of industries, including Tech, Sports Analytics, Consulting,… read more about Duke MSS Alumni Day 2020 »
Simone Gray (PhD 2010) was elected president of the Eastern North American Region of the International Biometric Society also known as ENAR. The International Biometric Society is an international society for the advancement of biological science through the development of quantitative theories and the application, development and dissemination of effective mathematical and statistical techniques. A link to the announcement is here. read more about Ph.D. alumnus Simone Gray elected ENAR president »
Lorin Crawford (PhD 17 ) has been awarded a Packard Fellowship, a highly prestigious award given to innovative early-career scientists. From the award summary, "As sequencing and imaging technologies continue to improve, there is a growing need for novel statistical tools to better analyze the biological data that they produce. The Crawford group develops scalable machine learning algorithms that uncover how genomic features affect the architecture of complex traits and contribute to disease etiology."… read more about PhD Alum Lorin Crawford awarded Packard Fellowship »
We would like to congratulate three of our outstanding MSS students for winning the Dean’s Research Award. The Dean’s Research Award provides funding for the purchase of materials and supplies to support research relevant to a Master’s student’s degree completion. Congratulations Yizi, Daniel, and Christine! Below is a brief summary of each of their research projects. Daniel Deng Daniel’s research focuses on Bayesian dynamic modeling and decision analysis, advised by Dr. Mike West. Christine Shen Christine’s research… read more about Three MSS Students Win Dean's Research Award »
The Department of Statistical Science is excited that Dr. Funda Gunes has joined the department as the new Master's Program Director. Previously, she worked at SAS Research and Development as a Principal Machine Learning Developer. At SAS, she built end-to-end predictive modeling pipelines for SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning Software by researching and implementing new machine learning techniques and data science best practices. In addition, Funda was involved in many exciting projects with computer… read more about Statistical Science Welcomes New Master's Program Director, Funda Gunes »
DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke students will soon emerge more prepared to use data to create new knowledge in a host of disciplines thanks to the newly launched Center for Computational Thinking (CCT). The new center is a response to the growing demands for more computational skills among new college graduates. It will infuse data literacy across the academic experience while simultaneously preparing students to consider the ethical, legal, and social impacts of technology. “The CCT will provide training in a co-curricular… read more about Duke Launches Center to Bring Computational Thinking to All Students »
The annual American Statistical Association DataFest held at Duke each spring gives hundreds of students a glimpse of statistics and data science in practice, bringing real challenges to life in a collegial, competitive setting. Due to COVID, this year’s virtual version took place over several weeks – rather than a couple days – and focused on emerging data sets related to the pandemic and its effects. Two of those projects caught the attention of another organization whose members were impressed by what Statistical… read more about COVID-Inspired Statistics Projects Earn Accolades in Global Competition »
If hanging upside down from a crane while escaping a straitjacket seems like suitable training for today’s topsy-turvy campus environment, then statistician Eric Laber is primed for success. That daring escape is just one of many tricks Laber performed during a 12-year-career as a professional magician. But now he’s distinguished professor at NC State who will be joining the Duke faculty in the departments of statistical sciences and biostatistics and bioinformatics in January. Laber likes using data to solve real-world… read more about Eric Laber: From Awe-Inspiring Magic to Problem-Solving Statistics »
The National Science Foundation has awarded Duke University a $3 million, five-year Research Traineeship grant to develop a program for graduate students to develop expertise in using artificial intelligence (AI) for materials science research. The aiM (AI for Understanding and Designing Materials), program will fill a vital workforce gap by training the next generation in the new convergent field of materials and computer science research. “To achieve the promise of the U.S. Materials Genome Initiative of… read more about Filling an AI and Materials Science Training Gap »
Eric Laber Broadly, my research focuses on the development of rigorous statistical methods to inform data-driven decision making in complex environments. During the past few years, I have become particularly interested in driving the adoption of reinforcement learning methods as a means of decision support in high-risk settings including precision medicine, public health, defense, and business. From a methodological perspective, my work involves machine learning, causal inference,… read more about New Faculty Arriving in January 2021 »
The Graduate School published a piece titled Recognizing the “Me” in Team: A Journey of Self-Awareness through Teamwork in the Emerging Leaders Institute by Eduardo Coronado and his teammates about their experience in the program. read more about Alumni Eduardo Coronado published on the Graduate School Website »
This is the first installment in a series of articles profiling winners of the Duke ASA DataFest: COVID-19 Virtual Data Challenge, co-sponsored by the Duke University Department of Statistical Science and the Duke AI Health Institute. To read more read more about Duke DataFest Analysis Reveals How COVID-19 Impacts Communities Already Suffering from Health Disparities »
Professor Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel was named a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA). As noted on the ASA Fellows website, "The designation of ASA Fellow has been a significant honor for nearly 100 years. Under ASA bylaws, the Committee on Fellows can elect up to one-third of one percent of the total association membership as fellows each year." read more about Professor Mine Cetinkaya-Rundel Named ASA Fellow »
What do toxicology, a Tanzanian imam, women’s tennis, virgin births and your cat have in common? Admittedly, not much, except that biostatistician Amy Herring has worked on projects involving all of them. Herring, the Sara and Charles Ayres Professor of Statistical Science & Global Health, has a hard time saying no to statistical analysis projects that seem like fun. She enjoys her work so much, if she hears that you are working on an interesting project, she might ask to take a look at your data when you’re done with… read more about Amy Herring Wants to See Your Data »
A panel of three Duke alumni recently joined the 2020 Data+ cohort to discuss their experiences in the program, the role of data science in their jobs today and the importance of building lasting professional relationships. Data+ is a 10-week summer program that provides research experiences allowing Duke undergraduates to explore data-driven approaches to interdisciplinary challenges. “We’ve had quite a few students move all the way through Duke and on to some very interesting careers,” said Paul Bendich, who helped… read more about Stats Alum Anne Driscoll Talks Career Paths and Mentoring with Duke Students »
Congratulations to our PhD alumna Raquel Prado on her selection as Fellow of the International Society for Bayesian Analysis (ISBA). Raquel is recognized "For outstanding contributions to research in Bayesian methodology, especially in time series analysis and its applications in neuroscience and other fields; her impact in university teaching and programmatic leadership; and her significant and dedicated service to ISBA." You can read about the Fellows in the latest ISBA Bulletin. read more about Alumna Raquel Prado is elected ISBA Fellow »
A panel of three Duke alumni recently joined the 2020 Data+ cohort to discuss their experiences in the program, the role of data science in their jobs today and the importance of building lasting professional relationships. Data+ is a 10-week summer program that provides research experiences allowing Duke undergraduates to explore data-driven approaches to interdisciplinary challenges. “We’ve had quite a few students move all the way through Duke and on to some very interesting careers,” said Paul Bendich, who helped create… read more about Data+ Alums Talk Career Paths and Mentoring with Duke Students »
Alumna Dr. Ana Rappold from EPA’s Office of Research and Development was awarded one of 13 prestigious Arthur S. Flemming Awards for her exceptional contributions to Social Science, Clinical Studies, and Translational Research. The Flemming Award recognizes outstanding and meritorious achievement, and encourages the highest standards of performance in federal service read more about Alumna Ana Rappold awarded Arthur S. Flemming Award »
Congratulations to our PhD alumna Lindsay Berry on her selection as a Savage Award finalist this year. Lindsay will present an invited talk in the virtual Savage Award session at the JSM this year. read more about Alumna Lindsay Berry is 2020 Savage Award finalist »
Merlise Clyde and Jerome Reiter, both professors of Statistical Science, have been named 2020 Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) Fellows. Founded in 1935, IMS is a member organization devoted to “fostering the development and dissemination of the theory and applications of statistics and probability.” Fellows are selected on the basis of the contributions to the field, as assessed by a committee of their peers. Approximately 12 percent of the 3,500 active IMS members have earned the status of fellowship. The 2020… read more about Two Duke Professors Named Institute of Mathematical Statistics Fellows »
In 2020-2021, the Duke University Energy Initiative’s Energy Research Seed Fund will support projects addressing renewable energy’s integration into the grid, battery performance, electrochemical catalysts, utilities’ decision-making, the energy-water nexus, and energy’s connections with war and health. The Energy Research Seed Fund has a strong track record of investing in early-stage projects that go on to secure external support. The program will award six grants to projects involving thirteen… read more about Energy Research Seed Fund awards six grants to Duke faculty to kickstart innovative projects »
Fifteen Duke Ph.D. students have received prestigious awards from the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) for 2020. Launched in 1952, the GRFP is the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind. It supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing Ph.D. or research-based master’s degrees. Fellows receive a three-year stipend, coverage of tuition and fees, and opportunities for international research… read more about Stats PhD Student Becky Tang Receives Prestigious NSF Fellowship »
Fifteen Duke Ph.D. students have received prestigious awards from the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) for 2020. Launched in 1952, the GRFP is the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind. It supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing Ph.D. or research-based master’s degrees. Fellows receive a three-year stipend, coverage of tuition and fees, and opportunities for international research and… read more about 15 Ph.D. Students Receive Prestigious NSF Fellowships »
2020 BEST Award Winners: Undergraduate Award Winner: Chiwan Kim (pictured below) for his research on Black-Scholes Integrated Gaussian Process Model for American Option Pricing Master's Award Winner: Haohan Chen (pictured below) for his research on Bayesian Dynamic Network Modeling for Social Media Political Talk Honorable Mention: Evan Poworoznek for his research on Easy and Efficient Bayesian Factor Analysis Ph.D. Award Winner: Xu Chen … read more about Congratulations to the 2020 BEST Award Winners »
Congratulations to the following student award winners from Duke University units in 2020. African & African American Studies John Hope Franklin Award for Academic Excellence: Elizabeth DuBard Grantland Karla FC Holloway Award for University Service: Beza Gebremariam Mary McLeod Bethune Writing Award: Jenna Clayborn Walter C. Burford Award for Community Service: Kayla Lynn Corredera-Wells Art, Art History & Visual Studies… read more about Student Honors and Laurels for 2020 »
Professor Fan Li and colleagues Laine Thomas and Michael Pencina (Duke Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics) published an article in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) on overlap weighting, a causal inference method for comparative effectiveness research that Li and co-authors have developed in recent years, and is used in a COVID-19 study featured in the newest edition of JAMA Cardiology. Read the full article in JAMA here. read more about Fan Li publishes article in JAMA on overlap weighting »
Jim Clark, the Nicholas Professor of Environmental Sciences, Biology, and Statistical Science, was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Read more here. Congratulations Jim! read more about Jim Clark elected to National Academy of Sciences »
The Department of Statistical Science has planned a nice slate of courses in Summer 2020 in order to provide a few more options in these uncertain times. All have great instructors, and we have offerings at every level, with an eye on giving you useful skills to get attractive internship and job offers in the future. Course descriptions for extant courses are in our site's Courses section, and I’ve described the new ones in the Video below. We’re also offering summer versions of two courses that are full for fall: STA 199 (… read more about DUS Message: Summer Courses Bring More Options for Students »
Making Statistics Available from a Distance When the semester started, no one expected to move all of Duke’s classes to remote delivery with only a week’s notice. But once the university announced its plans to do just that in response to COVID-19, the Department of Statistical Science had someone to turn to in order to ensure a smooth transition: Joan Combs Durso. “She has been incredible,” Department Chair Jerome Reiter said. “She is working with faculty one-on-one to train them in remote learning, setting up their Sakai… read more about Making Statistics Available from a Distance »
Katie Dickerson wanted someone to talk to as she navigated the transition from postdoc to assistant professor in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Duke. A supportive sounding board for her questions about gender, equity, and other issues would be nice, she thought. Back in her grad student days, a book club geared toward women in science served as a safe space for candid discussions. Dickerson asked her colleague Shabnam Hakimi, postdoctoral scholar at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), to collaborate on a… read more about Confronting Power Dynamics in Academia »