The webinar featured a panel discussion with graduate students from various universities, each sharing their research and personal journeys to pursuing a graduate degree in Statistics, Biostatistics and Data Science. The discussion also covered the funding structure of graduate programs, the challenges faced during the application process and in graduate school, and the importance of persistence, department culture, and advisor support. Lastly, the panelists shared their experiences and tips on managing work hours, note-taking, and the importance of a supportive environment for success in a PhD program.
Graduate Student Research Panel Discussion
Our Moderator, Georgia Smits, initiated a panel discussion with a lineup of graduate students. Jess Kunke, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington, introduced her research on environmental and social applications, specifically focusing on leveraging network information to improve population size estimation. Hannah Waddel, a Ph.D. candidate at Emory University, shared her research on infectious disease modeling and inference using pathogen genetic data. Noé Vidales, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Riverside, discussed his research on variance estimators for serially correlated data. Jason B. Cho, a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell, talked about his work on Bayesian time series analysis with applications in volatility modeling and change point detection. Jeremy Flood, a fourth-year Ph.D. Student in data science at North Carolina, shared his passion for blending different types of data and his journey from experimental psychology to data science.
Data Science and Statistics Journeys
Jess, another panelist, discussed her transition from environmental science to statistics, driven by her interest in math modeling and social problems. Hannah shared her direct path from a math and stats major to a Ph.D. In statistics, inspired by her undergraduate research. Noé shared his journey from economics and mathematics to statistics, initially intending to pursue industry applications but finding his passion in mathematical theory. Jason, who started his career in statistics, shared his experience in a practical data analysis lab and his continued passion for theory and methodology.
Panelists' Paths to Statistics PhDs
The webinar involved a discussion about the panelists' backgrounds and their paths to pursuing a graduate degree in Statistical Sciences. Jason shared his journey from an animal science program to a Statistics PhD, while Jeremy discussed his transition from a psychology undergraduate to a Data Science PhD. Jess, who had a math and earth and planetary science background, shared her experience of applying to Statistics with little statistics background but a strong math background. Hannah, with a more direct path into the PhD, emphasized the importance of having solid references and considering programs with flexibility to explore different advisors. The discussion also touched on the importance of considering the specific focus of a program and the potential for flexibility in exploring different advisors.
Educational Journeys and Research Paths
Noé discussed his educational journey, highlighting his interest in theoretical statistics and stochastic processing. He shared how he chose the University of Minnesota for his PhD due to its emphasis on these areas and his professor's connection there. Noé also mentioned his plans to secure a postdoc at the same university. Jason shared his experience, explaining how he realized the difference between research in statistics and data analysis during his undergraduate studies. He decided to pursue a master's degree before a PhD to gain more research experience and publications. Jeremy emphasized the value of diverse backgrounds in graduate applications, suggesting that applicants highlight their ability to adapt and overcome challenges in their personal statements.
Graduate School Funding and Advisor Selection
In the webinar, Georgia initiated a discussion about the funding structure in graduate school and the process of choosing an advisor. Noé shared his experience, emphasizing the importance of performance in coursework and showing interest in research through thoughtful questions. Jess agreed, suggesting that applicants should mention potential professors they might be interested in working with. She also advised students to consider having multiple potential advisors in mind, as people's interests and availability can change. Jess further recommended that students should not hesitate to reach out to professors via email to learn more about their research.
PhD Funding Structures and Fellowships
Jeremy clarified that master's degrees are generally not funded, while PhDs are, often through assistantships or fellowships. Noé shared his experience of having both master's degrees fully funded through teaching, while Hannah discussed the distinction between departments and the funding structure at Emory University. Noé further explained the funding structure at UC Riverside, which typically includes a one-year fellowship, TAships, and outside consulting. Jess suggested exploring NSF Research Traineeship fellowships for master's programs and other fellowships for PhDs. The group also discussed the challenges faced during the application process and in graduate school, with Jason inquiring about the GRE requirement.
Challenges and Realities of Pursuing a Graduate Degree
The participants discussed the challenges and realities of pursuing a graduate degree in the statistical sciences. Noé emphasized the importance of persistence in completing a PhD, highlighting that it's not about being the smartest but about being willing to put in the effort. Hannah shared her personal experience of taking a medical leave during her PhD, emphasizing the importance of having support from the department. Jess stressed the significance of department culture and advisor support, suggesting that students should consider these factors when choosing a program. Jeremy and Jason echoed the importance of persistence and the need to keep working despite setbacks. The group agreed that a supportive environment is crucial for success in a PhD program.
Graduate Student Experiences and Tips
In the webinar, Jess, Hannah, Noé, Jeremy, and Georgia discussed their experiences as graduate students in the field of statistics. Jess shared her tracking system for monitoring her work hours, emphasizing that productivity doesn't necessarily correlate with longer hours. Noé and Hannah agreed, noting the flexibility of their schedules and the importance of finding a rhythm that works for them. Jeremy suggested investing in a cheap tablet for note-taking and reading papers, while Noé expressed a preference for paper notes. Jess also announced a University of Washington Department of Statistics peer application review service for students applying to statistics programs. The conversation ended with Georgia thanking the panelists and attendees, and encouraging further contact for any questions.