Shifeng Sun is a 2023 graduate from Duke’s Master of Biostatistics program. He is currently employed as a Biostatistician II with Duke’s Biostatistics Epidemiology and Research Design Methods Core (BERD) in Durham, NC.
Background and Motivation
What initially drew you to the field of biostatistics?
- I have always been passionate about human health and was originally on the path to becoming a surgeon before coming to the U.S. Through my clinical and research experiences, I realized how much rigorous statistics are relied upon to make decisions that ultimately benefit patients. When I began exploring alternative roles in medicine, the field of biostatistics stood out as the perfect fit, combining my medical background with my desire to contribute through quantitative problem-solving.
Why did you choose Duke University’s Master of Biostatistics program?
- As a medical graduate, I had little to no confidence in my quantitative background, so the curriculum was the most important factor in my decision. I am truly grateful that Duke’s program provided excellent introductory courses, which allowed me to catch up and build a solid foundation.
Academic and Personal Experiences
What are some of your favorite memories or experiences from the program?
- One of my favorite aspects of the program was the strong sense of connection we built during the first year. Since most of us took the same courses, we saw each other every day in class. These daily interactions helped us form lasting friendships and a supportive community.
Were there any faculty members or mentors who had a significant impact on your learning journey?
- I am a big fan of those applied statistics courses and their instructors, including Tina Davenport, Hussein Al-Khalidi, and Hwanhee Hong. Their passion for teaching and their willingness to share their knowledge and experience with students made a lasting impression on me.
How did the program prepare you for the challenges in your current role or in your field?
- The program provided me with numerous opportunities to engage with real-world applications of statistics in the medical field through course projects and research work. These experiences equipped me with the confidence and skills needed to begin my career as a collaborative biostatistician in academia.
Career Path and Current Role
Can you describe your current role and responsibilities?
- I work as a collaborative biostatistician, supporting research projects in global health and general internal medicine. My responsibilities include data management, statistical modeling, and contributing to statistical analysis plans (SAPs) and manuscript writing.
What are some projects or achievements of which you’re particularly proud?
- Nearly all the projects I’ve worked on focus on improving health access and outcomes for marginalized populations. Being part of research with such a meaningful purpose has been incredibly rewarding.
Challenges and Advice
What advice would you give to current or prospective students in the biostatistics program?
- Take the opportunity to explore different areas within biostatistics through courses, research projects, or even conversations with faculty and peers. Biostatistics is a broad discipline, and gaining exposure to various fields can help you discover what interests you most and where you’d like to focus your efforts.
Future Goals and Aspirations
What are your goals for the next few years in your career?
- In addition to enhancing my statistical and programming skills, I aim to strengthen my non-technical skills, such as project management and communication, as these play a significant role in my work.
Personal Interests and Balance
Outside of work, what are your hobbies or interests?
- Trying new foods.
How do you balance work and personal life while working in a demanding field?
- While I’m still working on perfecting this balance, I’ve found that setting clear priorities for each time period can be incredibly helpful.
Reflections and Closing Thoughts
Looking back, how has your journey in biostatistics changed or impacted you personally?
- Switching to biostatistics has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. I’ve grown to enjoy tackling those challenges and deeply appreciate all the support I’ve received along the way. I’m always happy to share my experiences as a way to give back and support those who might be on a similar path.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Duke community or future biostatisticians?
- Playing intramurals at Duke is a lot of fun!