A Day in the Life: Victoria Rey

For Victoria Rey, life as a Duke master of biostatistics student is a blend of coursework, research, collaboration, and making time for the people and activities that keep her grounded. During her second year, she also completed an internship in the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design Core Training and Internship Program at the Duke Cancer Institute, where she contributed to breast cancer research while building skills that connected directly to her academic training. 

“One of the most meaningful parts of my experience as a Duke master of biostatistics student was my master's project, which was closely tied to the internship in breast cancer research,” Rey said.

Many of her classes took place in the afternoon, so mornings often provided time to prepare, review class materials, or organize tasks for the day ahead. 

Throughout the day, Rey relied on the tools commonly used by many Duke master of biostatistics students, with R as her primary software, followed by SAS and Python. She studied wherever she could be most productive, whether that was in a department common area, a study room, in the library, or at home. 

The supportive community was one of her favorite aspects of being a Duke Master of Biostatistics student. When she encountered challenges in class, she frequently turned to classmates and teaching assistants for help. She also found faculty and program staff to be highly accessible and supportive whenever questions arose. “The culture is collaborative, friendly, and encouraging,” Rey said.

Outside of academics, she intentionally made time for activities that helped maintain balance, such as meal prepping, baking bread, and spending time with friends. Weekly lunches and weekend gatherings also helped her recharge and stay connected. “One moment that perfectly captures balance in the program is playing cards with classmates between classes. It became a simple break that provided camaraderie and a chance to step away from homework for a while,” Rey said.

Her advice for future Duke master of biostatistics students is to intentionally make room for hobbies and relationships throughout the week. Taking breaks, spending time with friends, and pursuing interests outside the classroom can help reduce stress, stay motivated, and make the graduate school experience more enjoyable. 

For Rey, being a Duke master of biostatistics student meant more than mastering statistical methods. It was about applying those skills to meaningful research, learning from a supportive community, and finding balance along the way.