Marissa Trotta, a 2021 graduate of Duke University's Master of Biostatistics (MB) program, has had an impressive and fulfilling career since earning her degree. Originally from Howell, NJ, Marissa lived in the Washington, DC area for seven years before settling in Hillsborough, NC, where she currently resides.
After obtaining her undergraduate degree in mathematical statistics, Marissa began her professional journey at the U.S. Census Bureau. She then transitioned to RTI International, where she initially worked as a statistician in the international education group before moving into the survey statistics group. During her time at RTI, she pursued her master’s degree at Duke. After graduation, Marissa briefly worked at a CRO before returning to RTI International, where she now serves as a Research Statistician 1 in the Center for Clinical Research.
In her current role, Marissa's workdays are dynamic and diverse. She could be monitoring data collection, working directly with data collection sites, creating analysis datasets, or running analyses and meeting with clients. All her projects focus on neonatal and maternal health, giving her the opportunity to contribute to improving the lives of mothers and babies around the world.
Marissa credits her success to the problem-solving and communication skills she honed during her time in the MB program at Duke. These tools have enabled her to tackle new challenges confidently, such as performing unfamiliar analyses. Recently, she had to learn and execute a causal mediation analysis, a rewarding experience that expanded her statistical skill set.
Her advice to current students and those transitioning into the workforce is simple: leverage Duke’s alumni network. Connecting with alumni who work or have worked at organizations you're interested in can be incredibly valuable during the job search.
Since graduating, Marissa and her husband have welcomed their first child, Hazel Lynn, into their family. When she's not working, Marissa enjoys gardening, tending to her animals (including a dog, cats, and backyard chickens), beekeeping, cooking, and baking.
Marissa encourages current students to engage with professors and ask questions whenever they encounter something unclear. “It's the best way to make the most of their time at Duke.”
To learn more about Marissa and her professional journey, connect with her on LinkedIn: Marissa Gargano Trotta.