Name: Sophia Anderson, MB
Hometown: Belmont, MA
Degree: Masters of Biostatistics
Why did you want to pursue a Master of Biostatistics degree?
I wanted to pursue a Master of Biostatistics because I wanted to go into a field that combined my interest in improving health outcomes with my quantitative background as a mathematics major. I also was drawn to this degree due to the ability to collaborate with so many others in biomedical and health-related research in order to solve problems relating to the health and quality of life of individuals and overall populations.
Why did you choose Duke?
I was drawn to Duke because of the program’s small class sizes and general sense of community between professors and students that I sensed from my visit day. Additionally, the benefit of being situated in a world-class School of Medicine and down the street from the Research Triangle I knew would offer many opportunities for internships and future jobs.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time in the program?
Some of my favorite memories come from the times I worked with my two thesis advisors, Emily D’Agostino, DrPH, and Carl Pieper, DrPH. I learned so much during this process and they were always so encouraging of my research ideas and genuinely interested in my development as a biostatistician here at Duke and wherever else my career takes me. I also always think fondly of the times I spent with friends during study groups. The program was very collaborative and I loved working with other students on projects or studying for exams. Having a program that fostered this type of environment made all the difference and helped make even the most difficult of times enjoyable.
What are your ultimate career goals?
My career goals are to continue developing, coordinating and executing clinical trials aimed at improving health outcomes in a number of different therapeutic areas. After graduation I will be starting a position as a Biostatistician II at a CRO in the Research Triangle area.
What about you experience as a student during COVID-19 will you carry through to your career?
Being a student during COVID-19 taught me a lot about resilience and the ability to adapt quickly, both of which will undoubtedly help me in my career. Moving from in-person to online learning was a huge adjustment and resulted in a lot of growing pains initially. Although we all would have preferred in-person learning, we were still able to find solutions and alternatives to many of the challenges we faced as individuals and as a program.
Read more about the Class of 2021 at medschool.duke.edu/graduation2021