Ashley Howard is currently in her second year of study in the Master of Biostatistics program. Gibbstown, NJ, is her hometown. Ashley completed her undergraduate education at the University of South Carolina, where she studied Statistics and Economics.
What first sparked your interest in biostatistics?
As a statistics major in undergrad, I loved the subject but had no idea where I wanted to apply it. Junior year, I started working for a biostatistician in my school’s College of Nursing and he encouraged me to apply to graduate programs for biostatistics.
What attracted you to the Master of Biostatistics program at Duke?
During the application process and when deciding on a program, the support I felt from the faculty and staff at Duke was unmatched. I felt like I wasn’t just a number in the program; everyone I met when I toured showed genuine interest in me and was so friendly and welcoming. I also was attracted to the potential opportunities in the Research Triangle and liked that Duke’s program is within the School of Medicine.
What do you enjoy most about this program?
I’ve most enjoyed the opportunity to work directly on projects and research within Duke’s School of Medicine. It’s been rewarding to collaborate with exceptional clinicians and investigators at Duke. Also, I’ve enjoyed the strong sense of community that is fostered by the program.
What are some of your favorite classes?
Biostat 709- Observational Studies with Dr. Laine Thomas was my favorite class so far. All of the class examples were real problems from Dr. Thomas’s work at the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), so it was really cool to learn from real problems she’s encountered in her work. I am also currently enjoying Biostat 719- Generalized Linear Models with Dr. Hwanhee Hong.
What skills have you gained from the program?
In addition to all the statistical knowledge and skills from my work, I’ve gained a lot of confidence and professional skills. When I first joined the program, I was scared of networking and was intimidated to work alongside clinicians and faculty members with PhDs. However, the emphasis on participation in every class, along with numerous presentations during classes and internships, has really helped me find my voice and feel more assured in sharing my work. Laura, our director of career development, has helped me grow so much professionally and taught me important networking and career-related skills that I know will serve me well in the future.
What does the program do well?
The program has multiple resources beyond professors and faculty for support. Kendall, our program coordinator, and Laura, our director of career development, have been instrumental in my success in the program. Also, the program has a collaborative, non-competitive culture and plans lots of social events that helped me transition and feel comfortable more quickly.
What's the most challenging aspect of the program?
Time management and balancing responsibilities can be difficult. Classwork, internships and other things start to pile up quickly. There are so many opportunities it’s easy to overwhelm yourself and take too much on. Staying organized and prioritizing what is most important has been my biggest challenge.
Did you participate in a summer internship?
Yes, I worked with the Duke BERD Core in their BCTIP Internship program and also participated in the Quantitative Methods for HIV/AIDS Research Summer Internship, which is through Duke’s Center for AIDS Research.
What type of work did you do for your internship?
For BCTIP, I work with residents in the Department of Pharmacy on their research projects. I’ve worked on about 6 different projects under the mentorship of experienced faculty and staff biostatisticians in the BERD Core. For each project, my tasks typically include drafting the statistical analysis plan, completing the analysis, drafting results reports, and reviewing manuscripts for residents. I also meet often with team to present my work, review code, and communicate results.
During the HIV/AIDS Summer Internship, I completed a project titled “ Development of a Predictive Model for Fungal and Mycobacterial Infections in Hospitalized Patients with Advanced HIV Disease in Vietnam .” The project used machine learning and statistical modeling techniques. I worked with an infectious disease doctor at Duke and a statistical mentor within the B&B department, Dr. Lynn Lin, who mentored me and guided my work.
Both internships have been enjoyable and provided me with excellent opportunities!
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Take time to explore your interests outside of classes and internships. Joining local networking groups in the Triangle, attending conferences, or doing a project on the side are great ways to expand your learning experience. Enjoy your time at Duke and have fun because the 2 years goes quickly. Also, know that you have a large support system that wants you to succeed and don’t be afraid to ask for help!
What type of work do you see yourself doing in the future?
I’m not exactly sure what type of work I want to do. However, I really enjoy programming, writing, and collaborating with others, so I hope to find a role that incorporates those things. I don’t enjoy statistical theory too much so I’d like a role with more applied statistics.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like to read, exercise, cook, watch reality TV, and try new restaurants. Going to Duke sporting events, Duke Gardens, the Duke Lemur Center and exploring the Triangle have been highlights of my time in the program!