Current Role: Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Statistical Science, Duke University
Education: PhD, Statistics, University of Virginia; MS, Statistics, University of Tennessee-Knoxville; BS, Mathematics, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
I grew up in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, where my passion for math began at an early age. I was drawn to its underlying logic and the satisfaction of solving puzzle-like problems. I remember first learning about algebra in an elementary school enrichment program and being fascinated by the notion of using math equations to solve for unknowns. I am thankful for the encouragement from my parents and teachers during those formative years. Their support helped me cultivate not only a love for math but also confidence in my ability to excel in it.
I always enjoyed school and learning, and, over time, knew I wanted to be a teacher. In high school, I did a practicum working with a professor in the department of mathematics at Vanderbilt University. I was energized by the college environment and found the multiple facets of being a professor exciting (even grading!). This experience motivated me to pursue a career in academia, and I entered college with the goal of becoming a math professor.
I majored in mathematics at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and took my first statistics course as a requirement for the major. I was immediately drawn to statistics and the power of using data to illuminate trends and glean insights across a wide range of disciplines. I had the opportunity to continue taking statistics classes through a “4+1” program and earned a master’s degree in statistics.
After working as a statistician in industry, I made my way back to academia and earned my PhD in statistics from the University of Virginia. I joined the department of statistical science at Duke University in 2018 and am now an associate professor of the practice. My work focuses on inclusive pedagogy and the factors that influence students’ sense of belonging in math and statistics courses. I have also worked with nonprofit organizations to develop curricula and instructional materials for high school and college-level statistics and data science courses.
One of the proudest moments in my career was receiving the Bass Connections Leadership Award in 2024 for my work leading an interdisciplinary undergraduate research team. Mentoring students has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my career, and this award symbolizes the fulfilling work of walking alongside students as they realize their potential and accomplish their goals. I am here because others supported me along the way, and it is truly rewarding to now support students on their own academic journeys.
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