This fall, the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics welcomed a new cohort of PhD students in biostatistics. This accomplished group brings a wide range of academic backgrounds, research interests, and personal passions to the department. Their dedication to advancing health through data science and their enthusiasm for collaborative, interdisciplinary work will enrich the Duke community.
Peiyu He is originally from Loudi, China, and holds both a bachelors and Master of Science from Peking University. He chose Duke’s Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics for its strong research focus, outstanding faculty, and supportive environment — all of which set it apart from other programs he considered. In his free time, He enjoys hiking and photography.
Skyler Shapiro is from Boston, Massachusetts and earned a bachelor’s in biometry and statistics from Cornell University, with a minor in computer science. “I was drawn to Duke’s extensive research ecosystem and its close integration with the university’s medical centers, which foster collaboration between scientists and clinicians,” he said. In his free time, he enjoys running, cooking, and exploring new hiking trails.
From Beijing, China, Jiang Shu earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was drawn to Duke for its distinctive integration of biostatistics, informatics, and medicine within the School of Medicine. “The collaborative environment allows me to engage directly with clinicians and biomedical researchers while advancing rigorous methodological research,” Shu said. Outside of academics, Shu enjoys learning guitar, exploring new places, and playing sports, as well as reading about history and philosophy.
Liwen Sun, originally from China, holds a bachelor’s in mathematical economics and mathematical finance from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a master’s in computer science and economics from Duke. She was drawn to Duke for the biostatistics PhD program’s integration of data science and medicine, and the department’s leadership in biomedical AI and translational research. She especially appreciated the close collaboration with Duke AI Health, which fosters interdisciplinary work with real clinical impact. In her free time, Sun enjoys playing badminton and traveling.
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jacob Sussman earned undergraduate degrees in physics and applied mathematics from the University of Utah. He was drawn to Duke’s biostatistics program for its strong balance between methodological rigor and real-world application, particularly through opportunities with the Global Health Institute and the Duke Clinical Research Institute. “I was also drawn to the support and sense of community in the program,” Sussman said. In his free time, Sussman enjoys staying active outdoors, including hiking and playing pickleball.