From: Statistical Science Majors Union
Date: November 17, 2025
Subject: SSMU Snapshots: Week of Nov 17, 2025


 

📣 Announcements

1. Interested in leading a committee? The Statistics in Medicine Committee Lead application is open and due this Wednesday 11/19 at 11:59 PM ‼️
This committee will host weekly journal club meetings and organize statistics + medicine socials. Great for those interested in pre-health/biostatistics!
Committees are a fantastic way to shape initiatives, build leadership skills, and collaborate with peers. Fill out this form to apply!

🍵 Upcoming Events

1. GBM #3 + Summer Experiences Panel ☀️
Join SSMU for our monthly GBM along with a summer experiences panel! Learn from upperclass students on how to apply for programs and make the most of your experience. Cookout milkshakes, burgers, sides, and more will be provided! (RSVP)
🗓️ 7-8:30 PM on Thursday, November 20th
📍 Old Chem 116

2. Statistics in Medicine Journal Club 📖
Thank you to all who expressed interest in joining the journal club! The first one will be this Thursday 9 PM (right after the GBM!) The papers we will be discussing are linked below:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1898525/?page=1
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8206235/
No prior experience of any kind needed! It will be a relaxed event with open conversation.
🗓️ 9-10 PM on Thursday, November 20th
📍 WU 238

3. Stats Chats 🥐
Come join us for a relaxed afternoon chat with Statistics professors! Ask questions, get advice, or just talk about anything stats (or not!). We’ll have bagels, tea, and good company—all you need to bring is yourself!
🗓️ 1:30-2:30 PM on Monday, November 24th
📍 TBD
🌱 Competitions & Opportunities

1. FEMMES+ (Females Excelling More in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Hacks) is hosting our annual high school outreach hackathon for students in the Raleigh-Durham area on Saturday, January 17, 2026! There are a few ways to get involved. If you’re interested, please fill out the forms below or contact hyunjin.lee2@duke.edu or mahi.patel@duke.edu with questions!
  • Small Group Speakers: Chat with a small group (7–10 students) about your experiences in STEM — what you study, how you got into it, and any advice you’d share. Lunch will be provided! Sign up here: small group speakers
  • Workshop Leads: Run a fun, hands-on workshop during the hackathon! More info on the workshops: http://bit.ly/3NPMaif. Sign up here! workshop leads
  • General Volunteers: Help with logistics, guiding participants, registration, setup/cleanup, and keeping the day running smoothly. No experience required! Sign up here: general volunteers
2. Interested in learning various coding languages for free? Exercism enables users to develop fluency in 78 programming languages through a unique blend of learning, observing others’ solutions, programming challenges, and interactive mentoring. To learn more, check out their getting started page!

3. Registration for UW’s 7th Seattle Symposium in Biostatistics closes this Thursday! The virtual event will focus on the role of causal inference in biomedical research:
  • design and analysis of observational and randomized studies
  • integration of machine learning into statistical inference
  • clarity on assumptions that suffice to infer causality from different study designs and inform strategies for sensitivity analyses.
The Symposium will take place from Saturday, November 22, to Tuesday, November 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST each day.

4. The American Statistical Association’s 2025 Fall Data Challenge will help students engage in the statistical investigative process to explore and analyze Low-Income Energy Affordability Data (LEAD). This challenge invites you to develop data-driven narratives that translate complex patterns in energy consumption, household demographics, and geographic variation into actionable policy recommendations. Teams of 2-5 students must have a sponsor and will submit a PowerPoint presentation with the goal of analyzing LEAD data. Each member of the winning team will receive a $50 gift card. Entries are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on December 19, 2025.
📅 Stay Connected

Want to keep track of all our events? Add our Google Calendar here (SSMU Events Calendar) and follow us on Instagram @dukessmu!

Future Statistics majors who are currently undeclared, join the stat-undergrad-undeclared majors listserv here to stay up to date on departmental news and opportunities!

Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you at our events!

Until next week,
SSMU

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Statistical Science Majors Union. Cover image

EVENT

SSMU GBM #3 - Summer Experiences Panel

clock Thursday, November 20, 2025
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Join SSMU for our monthly GBM with a summer experiences panel! Learn from upperclass students on how to apply for programs and make the most of your experience. Cookout milkshakes, burgers, sides, and more will be provided!
REGISTER