From: Statistical Science Majors Union
Date: February 16
Subject: SSMU Snapshots: Week of Feb 16, 2026


Read on for this week's events!

📣 Announcements

1. Register for SSMU's second Data Mini! 🏆
Register for SSMU’s 2nd Data Mini! This series is run by the Statistical Science Majors Union's Competitions and Opportunities Committee and is open to all students. The kickoff is on Friday, February 27th, from 5:30 to 7 pm in Old Chem 001. This data mini will differ from the first and be more similar to the structure of DataFest: the kickoff will introduce the dataset and competition layout, and submissions (media, a link to a forked Git repository, and a recorded video presentation) will be due March 1st at 11:59 pm. Please note that teams should consist of 3-4 members, and all members must complete this form. If you would like to receive a random team, please specify during registration.

2. Register for ASA DataFest 2026! 📊🏅

ASA DataFest 2026 at Duke, organized by the Department of Statistical Science, will take place in Perkins Library on Duke University West Campus, Friday March 20 through Sunday March 22.

DataFest is a data analysis competition where teams of up to five students attack a large, complex, and surprise data set over a weekend. Your job is to find and communicate insights into these data. The teams that impress the judges will win prizes! The event is open to all undergraduate students at Duke and beyond, regardless of level of programming experience.

See the DataFest website for more details: https://dukestatsci.github.io/datafest/
Whether you form a team or wish to be assigned a team, registration is open! You can sign up here: https://dukestatsci.github.io/datafest/#signup

Please reach out to Dr. Alexander Fisher (alexander.fisher@duke.edu) with any questions.

🍵 Upcoming Events

1. [FRIDAY!] Sign up for Group FLUNCH with Dr. Sifan Liu 🍎
FLUNCHes are a great way for faculty and students to connect over lunch, fostering mentorship and informal conversation outside the classroom. Our next group FLUNCH is THIS FRIDAY with Dr. Liu, and you can sign up here!
🗓️ 12-1 PM on Friday, February 20th
📍 The Commons (3rd floor of WU)

2. Research Committee Reading Group 📖
The Research Committee is hosting an undergrad reading group on theory and methods research in statistics and machine learning. We will meet biweekly on Fridays, 5-6pm in Perkins Link Group Study 1. More info here.
At each meeting, someone presents a manuscript/excerpt they read, and we discuss. If you are an undergrad interested in theory/methods work, put your name here, and show up! No further registration or prerequisites required. If you would like to present a manuscript, please fill out this form.
🗓️ 5-6 PM on Friday, February 20th
📍 Perkins Link Group Study 1

3. SSMU Seminar - Galen Reeves 💡
The Research Committee is excited to welcome Professor Galen Reeves for an upcoming (in-person) seminar! Prof. Reeves is an Associate Professor of ECE and Statistical Science at Duke who uses information theory to analyze machine learning, high-dimensional inference, and signal processing tasks. He will give an overview of his work and its applications to engineering, physics, and more. Snacks will be provided! Register here: https://duke.is/ssmu-seminars.
🗓️ 3:30-4:30 PM on Wednesday, February 25th
📍 Physics 235
reeves

4. GBM #6: Alumni Panel 🎓
Join us for SSMU’s sixth General Body Meeting of the semester, featuring a special Alumni Panel. Hear from SSMU alumni as they share insights on their academic journeys, career paths, and life after graduation. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain advice, and learn how involvement in statistics at Duke has shaped their professional and personal growth. Open to all! RSVP: https://cglink.me/2do/r2278314
🗓️ 7-9 PM on Thursday, February 26th
📍 Social Sciences 136

🌱 Competitions & Opportunities

1. Interested in volunteering for the Regional Science Bowl at Duke on 2/21? Fill out this form - no experience necessary!

2. The 4th International Mathematics and Statistics Student Research Symposium (IMSSRS) will be held virtually on Saturday, April 11, 2026. IMSSRS is a free conference welcoming high school, community college, undergraduate, and graduate students to present research in the mathematical sciences, explore current research topics, and connect with peers worldwide. This year's program features a plenary by Dr. Katherine B. Ensor (Rice University) titled "The Critical Role of Statistical Thinking, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." The program also includes a panel discussion, "Life After College," on career paths for mathematical science graduates, with audience Q&A. The abstract submission deadline is March 27, 2026. While presenters must be students, all are welcome to attend. 

3. Duke’s Center for Data and Visualization Sciences is offering lots of resources on Data Science! You can register for a free workshop, schedule a project consultation, access data sources, visit the lab, and learn from online sources. All are free to visit. This spring we have a wide range of workshops covering the latest data, visualization, mapping, and research data management approaches for a range of data projects.

📅 Stay Connected

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

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

Stay warm,
SSMU

Got ideas for events or newsletter features? Reply to this email; we’d love to hear from you!

Statistical Science Majors Union. Cover image

EVENT

SSMU Seminars: Professor Galen Reeves

clock Wednesday, February 25
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
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Join the SSMU Research Committee for a seminar by Galen Reeves, Professor of ECE and Stats. Prof. Reeves uses information theory to analyze high-dimensional inference, machine learning, and signal processing. He will discuss his work and its robust connections with engineering, math, physics, and more!
REGISTER
Statistical Science Majors Union. Cover image

EVENT

SSMU GBM #6: Alumni Panel

clock Thursday, February 26
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Join us for SSMU’s sixth General Body Meeting of the semester, featuring a special Alumni Panel. Hear from SSMU alumni as they share insights on their academic journeys, career paths, and life after graduation. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, gain advice, and learn how involvement in statistics at Duke has shaped their professional and personal growth. Open to all!
REGISTER