Lauren Terr will complete Duke’s Master of Biostatistics program in May of 2026. Her hometown is Manalapan, New Jersey. Lauren graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Mathematics with a Specialization in Statistics.
What drew you to the field of Biostatistics?
During my time at TCNJ, I took a couple of finance classes and realized that actuarial sciences was not a career path for me. Looking for a different outlet to apply my statistical skills, my advisor told me about SIBS (Summer Institute in Biostatistics), a 6-week program to give students an opportunity to explore the field of biostatistics. I attended SIBS the summer before going into my senior year of undergrad, through NCSU & Duke, where I learned more about the field and realized I had an interest in the application of statistics to the health and medicine industry. After my 6-week program ended, I decided I was going to apply to Master of Biostatistics programs!
What factored into your decision to attend Duke for graduate school?
My SIBS program gave me insight into the MB, and I realized that this program is unmatched compared to the other programs I applied to. The program has an applied focus which I am really interested in. There is lots of opportunity in the Triangle area and the faculty are very supportive. The Duke MB program has a dedicated career services professional who works exclusively with our cohort. This aspect of the program truly stood out to me, and Laura has been an amazing resource.
What have you enjoyed most about the MB program to this point in time?
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about the MB program is its collaborative atmosphere. Faculty and fellow students are welcoming and supportive, creating a community where people genuinely want to see each other succeed. There’s always a friendly face when you walk into the lounge.
What has been the most impactful class so far?
The most impactful class so far is BIOSTAT 709 – Observational Studies with Dr. Laine Thomas. In this class, Dr. Thomas used current studies she is working on and integrated them into the class material. It was great to see how to implement this class material to real-world examples. This class provided me with practical skills that will be beneficial to my future career.
What has been the biggest challenge in the graduate school you’ve faced?
One challenge I’ve faced is balancing research, classwork, and social life. A planner and the use of Google Calendar have helped me stay organized and on top of my tasks.
Have you participated on a research project, or did you complete a summer internship?
During the summer, I was a Statistical Programming Intern at Otsuka Pharmaceutical in Princeton, NJ. I created SAS programs to generate Tables and Listings for a clinical trial. In addition, I developed SAS programs to create analysis ready subject-level datasets. I gained knowledge with CDSIC guidelines, standards that must be followed for clinical research. I engaged with the Statistical Programming and Biostatistics team which helped me gain insight into the ongoing cross-functional collaboration essential to clinical trial execution.
What are your goals after graduation/for the future?
After graduation, I hope to find a role with a mix of programming and statistics. I have interests in the pharmaceutical industry as well as possibly working for a research hospital. I am open to exploring all possible opportunities with biostatistics.
What do you like to do for fun or to relax after your schoolwork is caught up?
In my free time I enjoy painting, watching reality TV/documentaries, and baking!
What advice do you have for prospective or incoming students?
If there’s an opportunity that interests you, go for it—you never know what doors it might open. The MB program offers endless opportunities and resources, so be sure to take full advantage of them during your time here.