Analytic, meticulous, and self-motivated professional with extensive experience in statistical programming and quantitative research. Highly driven by a passion to use data to inform policy decisions.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Data Mining and Informatics; Data Visualization; Quantitative and Qualitative Methods; Survey Research; Advanced Policy Analysis; Oral and Written Communication; Program Planning and Evaluation

EDUCATION

Master of Public Health – University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN – May 2017

Concentration: Public Health Policy, Aging Studies

Master of Public Policy – Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN – May 2016

Concentration: Advanced Policy Analysis

Bachelor of Science, Advertising – University of Florida, Gainesville, FL – May 2013

Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology – University of Florida, Gainesville, FL – May 2013

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Washington, DC

Lead Research Analyst, Research and Action Institute, May 2024 – Present

• Lead complex research projects on a range of topics related to fiscal, technical, management, or public policy issues

• Manage and conduct all statistical analyses using R and SQL for the Institute's publications on varying health policy topics

• Develop, maintain, and improve statistical support programs

• Conceptualize and design statistical test methods and metrics for product, technical, scientific, or policy research

• Conduct statistical analyses on data from various sources, interpret the results, and develop statistical summaries and reports

• Interact and consult with research staff, scientists, and engineers to ensure proper use of statistical methodology and to ensure that project results and conclusions are presented accurately and without bias

• Serve as team’s research expert and provide guidance and assistance across the organization

• Supervise day-to-day activities and work of graduate student intern

• Create all data visualizations that effectively translate complex data into digestible information

• Manage and conduct all statistical analyses for the Institute's publications on varying topics from rural health to decreased applicants to residency programs in states with abortion restrictions

• Author reports, issue briefs, and data snapshots on research findings

• Supervise day-to-day activities and work of graduate student intern 

• Collaborate with internal and external subject matter experts to support research projects

Senior Research Analyst, Research and Action Institute, December 2021 – May 2024

• Collaborate with internal and external experts to guide project planning for our work

• Lead and conduct research on a wide range of health policy topics including mental health, rural health, health care costs, international comparisons of health, and market consolidation

• Author reports, issue briefs, and data snapshots on research findings

• Develop and edit national polling instruments for the Center for Health Justice

• Analyze polling data and develop creative and effective displays of the data using PowerPoint and Tableau

• Mentor staff on effective visualizations and R programming methods

Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), Washington, DC

Senior Data Analyst, Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured and State Health Facts, March 2020 – December 2021

• Developed and conducted quantitative analyses of large national and state-level databases using R, including developing research questions and analytic approaches; conducting data management and complex statistical analysis; and preparing tables, figures, and brief reports to present findings

• Supervised the daily tasks for the State Health Facts (SHF) Research Assistant

• Managed updates and additions to over 800 state data tables on SHF – one of KFF’s most frequented resources

• Mentored junior staff on statistical analyses and developing R programming skills

• Authored reports, issue briefs, and fact sheets to disseminate research findings

• Led analyses and data visualizations surrounding COVID-19 tracking

• Developed creative and effective displays of data for multiple purposes using PowerPoint, Tableau, and RMarkdown

Policy Analyst, Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured, June 2018 – March 2020

• Conducted quantitative analyses in R using large survey data (e.g., cleaning and merging datasets; creating variables; test statistical reliability of survey estimates; developing and running analytic models and reports of descriptive statistics)

• Developed projects based on data availability

• Authored reports, issue briefs, and fact sheets to disseminate research findings

• Worked as the lead analyst on products related to the uninsured and those with opioid or substance use disorders

• Developed creative and effective displays of data for social media, staff presentations, fact sheets, policy reports, and online resources using PowerPoint and Tableau

Policy Analyst, Program on Medicare Policy, April 2017 – June 2018

• Conducted quantitative analyses in R using large administrative, survey, and claims databases (e.g., cleaning and merging datasets; creating variables; developing and running analytic models and reports of descriptive statistics)

• Developed creative and effective displays of data for social media, staff presentations, fact sheets, policy reports, and online resources using PowerPoint and Tableau

• Co-authored reports, issue briefs, and fact sheets to disseminate research findings

• Conducted literature reviews on a project basis (e.g. Medicare Advantage provider networks, out-of-pocket spending among fee-for-service beneficiaries, Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease)

School of Public Health, Division of Health Policy & Management, Minneapolis, MN

Graduate Research Assistant, September 2016 – May 2017

• Worked with a team under the Principal Investigator on a study funded by the National Institute of Health. The goal of the project was to improve quality of life for nursing home residents in Minnesota and across the country, particularly for nursing home residents of color.

• Duties:

  • • Data collection: created interview and focus group instruments; conducted observations at nursing homes; developed rapport with residents and staff at each nursing home; interviewed residents, staff, and community leaders on disparities in quality of life and quality of care within nursing homes; conducted focus groups with community leaders

    • Qualitative analyses: compiled theme analyses from all observation notes and interviews

Minnesota Department of Health, Health Economics Program, Saint Paul, MN

Senior Student Paraprofessional, Health Analyst, October 2015 – May 2017

• Assisted in the preparation of the 2015 Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA)

• Conducted statistical and survey-based analyses using Stata

• Developed data tables and charts illustrating analyses with Excel and Stata

• Assisted with development of nonpartisan issue briefs based on household survey data

• Created, researched, and presented abstracts for health access panels in Minnesota

• Analyzed coding, data-cleaning, and analyses of capital expenditures and spending reports using Excel, SQL, and Access

• Conducted statistical analyses on the small group and individual health insurance markets and their trends since 2002

Volunteers of America of Minnesota and Wisconsin, Saint Paul, MN

Intern, Caregiver Services for African American Families, Scholarship Winner, October 2015 – May 2016

• Planned events for African American caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (AD/D)

• Conducted literature reviews of recent trends, data, and analyses related to African American caregivers in the United States and health equity challenges for people of color with AD/D

• Created strategic plan with contracted planner focusing on health equity and accessibility to care and support for African American caregivers and patients with AD/D

• Conducted phone surveys of 20 caregivers and analyzed results

AARP, Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN

Legislative and Public Policy Graduate Intern, June 2015 – October 2015

• Tracked key issues related to older adults and policy topics through the Minnesota legislative process

• Conducted research on key priority policies and issues in the state

• Wrote and deployed policy-related communications to more than 100 volunteers, e-activists, and legislators

• Supported volunteers through the legislative process

• Researched, designed, and wrote AARP's 2015 White House Council on Aging brief for AARP

Health and Oasis Student Consulting Project, Minneapolis, MN

Student Consultant, January 2015 – May 2015

• Conducted financial and social cost-benefit analyses using Excel to determine appropriate actions for the expansion of an Egyptian health care project, Health & Hope Oasis

• Examined current trends and forecasted future opportunities for the project regarding budget and donation requirements for a $10.9 million project

• Composed a professional report for Health & Hope Oasis outlining all findings and recommendations

AmeriCorps Service, College Possible, Saint Paul, MN

Technology Based College Coach AmeriCorps Member, August 2013 – June 2014

• Mentored 205 College Possible high school graduates as they transitioned from high school to college

• Established relationships and partnerships with approximately 150 students at 3 different colleges

• Acted as the students’ primary resource through common obstacles such as family demands, budgeting, time management, FAFSA renewal, scholarships, registration, and transferring logistics