Gabrielle Walczak is in her second year of study in Duke’s Master of Biostatistics program. Ludlow, Massachusetts is her hometown. Gabby completed her undergrad studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, receiving a BS in mathematics and statistics, with a biology minor.
Did you work prior to enrolling in graduate school? What work did you do?
I went straight into graduate school after UMass, but I had worked as a research assistant in the mathematics & statistics department over the summer before my senior year.
What drew you to the field of Biostatistics?
As a math and statistics major in undergrad, I was fascinated by the impact that statistics and data science can have on decision-making. At UMass, I gained knowledge in probability and statistics and discovered how meaningful it was to use data to tell stories. At the same time, I pursued a minor in biology, and through taking both biology and statistics courses, I realized that I wanted to work at the intersection of public health and statistics. Biostatistics felt like the perfect fit — it allowed me to combine two areas I am passionate about while contributing to cutting-edge biomedical research.
What factored into your decision to attend Duke for graduate school?
After figuring out what field I wanted to go into, the next big step was figuring out which school was right for me. I had toured Duke during my senior year at UMass and fell in love with the campus. After meeting with Dr. Samsa and learning about the wide range of courses and research opportunities offered to students here, I knew the MB program at Duke would prepare me for a career in health data science and clinical research. To top it all off, I knew that Duke was part of the Research Triangle—a research hub with an abundance of opportunities for future biostatisticians. I can’t lie and say cost of living wasn’t something I had also considered. Given Duke’s location and all of the MB program’s resources, I knew Duke was the right choice for me.
What have you enjoyed most about the MB program to this point in time?
What I’ve enjoyed most about the MB program so far is how applied the classes are and how much they connect directly to real data and real problems. I’ve also appreciated the many opportunities to get involved in research groups, which has allowed me to explore different areas of biostatistics and gain hands-on experience outside the classroom.
What has been the most impactful class so far?
The most impactful class so far has been observational studies. This course deepened my understanding of study design and causal inference.
What has been the biggest challenge in the graduate school you’ve faced?
The biggest challenge has been balancing my time between coursework and research. While both are important, they require very different approaches. Coursework tends to be more structured, whereas research is more long-term and independent.
Have you participated on a research project, or did you complete a summer internship?
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Ben Goldstein on a research project at Duke, which has evolved into my master’s project. The goal of the project is to determine when in time autism risk assessments should be operationalized for children, and how risk evolves over time. I have gained experience in applying advanced machine learning models to EHR data and evaluating predictive models under varying time windows using ROC AUC and AUPRC.
What are your goals after graduation/for the future?
After graduation, I plan to work as a biostatistician at a CRO or tech company, where I can apply my knowledge in machine learning and statistical analysis to advance healthcare research.
What do you like to do for fun or to relax after your schoolwork is caught up?
After I’m caught up with schoolwork, I enjoy hiking, thrifting, and trying out new coffee shops.
What advice do you have for prospective or incoming students?
My advice for incoming students is to actively seek out conversations with individuals in a variety of roles within biostatistics. These discussions can better prepare you for applying to jobs or PhD programs. I also encourage students to pursue research opportunities and gain hands-on experience. This not only builds skills but also helps clarify the types of work you find most interesting and the areas that may not be the best fit for you.