Hometown: Medway, MA
Current Location: Marlborough, MA
Current Role: Biostatistician II, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI)
Noah Graham, a 2020 graduate of Duke University's Master of Biostatistics (MB) program, has established a dynamic career at the intersection of clinical research and biostatistics. His journey to this point began as an undergraduate Health Science major, where mentorship from a biostatistics professor inspired him to apply for the Summer Institute in Biostatistics (SIBS). His experience at the Colorado Summer Institute in Biostatistics (CoSIBS) ignited his passion for biostatistics, leading him to pursue a minor in mathematics and apply to graduate programs, ultimately landing at Duke.
Reflecting on his time at Duke, Noah highlights the program’s comprehensive curriculum and strong mentorship, which prepared him for his current role at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Since joining DFCI in 2020, Noah’s work has spanned various clinical trials, with a focus on breast, ovarian, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal cancers. He is responsible for statistical analyses of phase I-III trials, helping design trials, and contributing to grant proposals, among other responsibilities. His role also involves peer-reviewing trial manuscripts for publication and participating in the scientific review committee.
Noah speaks highly of the mentorship culture at DFCI, which he credits for his growth as a biostatistician. "My supervisors have been incredibly supportive and have taught me a lot," he says. He also enjoys the variety and flexibility of his job, which allows him to work on diverse projects within different disease sites, while often working remotely.
When asked about the skills he uses in his current role, Noah points directly to the foundation laid during his time at Duke. "Almost everything I do on a daily basis is based on what I learned in the program—statistical concepts, programming skills, and critical thinking."
While the workload can be challenging—managing 10-15 projects at any given time—Noah emphasizes the importance of finding the right environment. His advice for students entering the field is to consider the setting that best fits their work style, be it academic or industry, and not to be afraid to continue learning on the job.
Outside of work, Noah is an avid skateboarder and enjoys lifting weights, playing sports, and video games. He also recently celebrated a personal milestone—becoming an uncle!
You can connect with Noah on LinkedIn.