Resume

Education

PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine – 2024
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

BSc in Neuroscience – 2015
Brigham Young University

Skills

Data science tools: R (ggplot2, lme4, R Markdown, Bioconductor, tidyverse), Python (Numpy, Pandas, Jupyter), ImageJ macros

Statistical methods: Dimension reduction by principal component analysis (PCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP), unsupervised machine learning, mixed effects regression, multiple mediation analysis, survival analysis, ANOVA, multiple linear regression, differential isoform expression, differential exon usage

Skills: Statistics, data manipulation, data visualization, data communication, meta analysis, transcriptomic analysis

Work and Research Experience

Data Scientist

NIDCD (contractor with Astrix Technology Group)
Bethesda, MD
Nov 2024–Present

Development and validation of phenotypic classification system for translational mouse model of hearing instability

Utilized dimensionality reduction methods (PCA, UMAP) in R to visualize clusters of mice with a similar hearing loss phenotype
Engineered novel variables measuring different aspects of hearing
Selected the best variables to include in PCA and UMAP projections based on PCA loadings
Created an R Shiny app to facilitate exploration of clustering by coloring points on a PCA or UMAP projection based on manually set thresholds for raw and engineered variables measuring hearing
Compared K-means clusters, to clusters created based on manually setting thresholds for engineered and raw measures of hearing using the Adjusted Rand Index
Compared separation of clusters using mixed effects regression to compare mean measures of hearing

Analysis of long read RNA-seq to understand development of the inner ear

Identified isoforms differentially expressed between subregions of the inner ear as part of a project identifying molecular contributors to the development of region-specific structure and function
Used gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and gene ontology term enrichment analysis to determine whether genes differentially expressed in certain regions were related to specific functions or structures
Calculated differential exon usage to determine whether the development of different regions might be affected by expression of specific exons

Presentation on responsible use of large language models (LLMs) in biomedical research

Created a presentation to foster discussion of best practices for using LLMs in biomedical research
Gathered policies and guidelines from NIH and biomedical scientific journals regarding use of generative AI in biomedical research
Explored and tested many LLM tools for literature review and search, coding and troubleshooting, and image generation
Distributed a survey to researchers to understand the ways they use LLMs in their work and any concerns they have about the use of LLMs

Graduate Researcher

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
Aug 2018–Jul 2024

Analysis of locomotor activity data for animal studies of anorexia nervosa

Created code in Python (Pandas, Jupyter notebooks) for semi-automated binning of behavioral data recorded minute-by-minute over 2-4 weeks
Analyzed data using discrete time survival analysis in R (R markdown) to uncover behavioral factors contributing to the severity of a rat model of anorexia nervosa, leading to a publication
Graphed behavioral data in R (ggplot2) to visualize behavioral differences in animals susceptible or resistant to animal model of anorexia nervosa
Compiled and analyzed dataset consisting of 2 million datapoints, facilitating analysis for 2 co-author publications

Determining the effect of maternal diet on offspring reward neurocircuitry

Compiled and analyzed data in Python (Pandas, NumPy, Jupyter) from 1200+ data files finding increased dopamine release to drug reward in offspring exposed to maternal high fat diet
Used high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) to find increased dopamine response to drug reward in offspring exposed to perinatal high fat diet
Calculated area under the curve (AUC) of dopamine response to drug administration in Python (NumPy, Jupyter) to measure offspring’s sensitivity to drug
Installed and utilized open-source packages in Python and ImageJ for microscopic image analysis to find sex-specific alterations to activity of reward neurocircuits in offspring
Used open-source packages in Python for semi-automated tracking of locomotor activity in study finding increased sensitivity to amphetamine in offspring exposed to a maternal HF diet
Wrote ImageJ macros for semi-automated analysis of microscope images of rat brains
Created code in Python (Pandas, NumPy) to assist with planning, execution, and analysis of qRT-PCR expression data finding maternal diet influences on dopamine signaling genes
Analyzed locomotor activity in R (R Markdown, lme4) using mixed effects regression to uncover maternal diet influences on dynamics of behavioral response to amphetamine
Mentored and trained 2 undergraduate volunteers and 5 research technicians for the collection and analysis of biological specimens for research projects

Research Coordinator

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
Jul 2016–Aug 2018

Created a relational database that coordinated ~1200 research subjects’ clinical visits with study timepoints helping our study site become the most productive of a multi-site collaboration
Gathered and analyzed data from electronic medical records for a project finding accelerated retinal atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis and overweight or obesity
Recruited and consented patients to research and coordinated study visits for research studies involving genetic testing and blood sampling

Post-baccalaureate Researcher

NIAAA
Bethesda, MD
May 2015–Jul 2016

Performed multiple mediation analysis for a project finding a relationship between poor emotional regulation, ADHD symptoms, and alcohol dependence leading to a publication
Administered Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV (SCID), research questionnaires, and intelligence tests to screen subjects for research studies

Gene Variant Classification Intern

Myriad Genetics
Salt Lake City, UT
Jan 2015–May 2015

Analyzed data from medical records for independent research project finding increased carcinogenicity of novel genetic mutations contributing to heritable colon cancer

Research Assistant & Lab Coordinator

Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
Sep 2013–Apr 2015

Coordinated research work for a group of 10 undergraduate students
Assisted students preparing research for presentation at research conferences
Analyzed biomarkers of stress in 250 rhesus macaques for a research project investigating a gene-by-environment interaction leading to a maladaptive behavioral response to stress

Awards & Honors

3^rd Place 3-Minute Thesis Competition, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program Annual Retreat, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2022)
Finalist Student Poster Presentation, 38^th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (2015)
1^st Place Poster Presentation, Mary Lou Fulton Undergraduate Research Conference, Brigham Young University (2015)