Grace.
I use data analytics to study health inequity.
Driven by a commitment to public health, I apply my analytical expertise to uncover insights and advocate for evidence-based health policies.
Hi there! My name is
About Me
I am a Research Analyst at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC), where I bring a robust analytical skill set to my role. I hold a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology with minors in health equity and biostatistics from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. My expertise spans multiple statistical processing and data visualization software, enabling me to transform complex data into actionable insights.
Broadly, my research interests include social epidemiology, health equity, biostatistics, and health in all policies (HIAP) research. I am particularly passionate about applying diverse data analysis methods to explore these areas and uncover the underlying factors contributing to health disparities. My goal is to translate research into evidence-based policies that promote health equity and improve outcomes for underserved populations.
Throughout my career, I have been driven by a commitment to addressing health disparities and advancing health equity in innovative and impactful ways. By leveraging my analytical skills and deep understanding of social determinants of health, I strive to contribute to meaningful changes in public health policy and practice. My work is inspired by a dedication to using analytical thinking and evidence-based approaches to achieve health equity for all.
These are a few of my personal interests:- Travel
- Baking & Cooking
- Music
- Video Games
- Community Building
- Quality Time
Professional Experience
I am currently working as a research analyst at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) in Minneapolis, MN. In my role at SHADAC, I…
- Acquire, clean, code, and analyze large survey datasets using STATA to identify health trends and provide technical assistance to state agencies and policymakers.
- Lead the administration and quality assurance of the State Health Compare tool.
- Create sophisticated data visualizations to effectively communicate research findings.
- Ensure reproducibility of research methods by developing comprehensive documentation.
- Compose deliverables in various formats, including written products, data tables, and data visualizations.
During my Master’s program, I worked part time as a student worker at the Minnesota Department of Health. In this position, I…
- Analyzed data as the lead epidemiologist to drive Minnesota Statewide Trauma System improvement.
- Created multiple merged data sets using trauma registry, definitive care hospital, and border hospital data.
- Produced an influential data quality report by analyzing trauma system benchmarks.
- Developed a GIS map of state hospital designation levels and drive-time buffers.
Education
2021 - 2023
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
GPA:
4.0
Minors: Health Equity and Biostatistics
Master’s Thesis: Health, Place, and Class
- Examined the relationship between level of rurality, demographic identity, socioeconomic status, and infrastructure as predictors of self-reported poor health using National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data.
2018 - 2020
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
GPA:
3.78
Extracurricular Activities
- Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies: Vice President of Recruitment and Operations
Projects
Analysis
STATA
VLOOKUP
Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota Community Uninsured Profile
A project I performed analysis for. This tool aims to provide information about the uninsured in Minnesota, one community at a time.
Visualization
ArcGIS
Uninsured Profile Map
A companion piece to the Minnesota Community Uninsured Profile, I created this map from scratch. This presents information about Minnesota's uninsured communities in visual medium.
Analytics
STATA
Excel
QC
State Health Compare
A site where you can view visualizations and data for various state health metrics. Though the website is created by a vendor, I serve as the primary admin, monitoring for new data, processing that data, performing quality checks, and updating metrics on the site.
Get in Touch
My inbox is always open. Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, I’ll try my best to get back to you!