Results-oriented HIV/STI public health researcher with extensive expertise in leading qualitative and quantitative studies, including FDA-regulated medical devices and digital health technologies. Skilled in managing multimillion-dollar research portfolios, developing data collection systems, and analyzing complex datasets. Proven ability to translate insights into strategic decisions while fostering strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Work History
Lead Research Advisor
1 Year 5 Months
Dscout | 03.2025 - Current
Trained and educated customers on platform functionality and Dscout methodology, enhancing platform adoption across diverse user segments.
Consult with customers to provide specific recommendations for their research designs on the software platform, ensuring successful outcomes and value realization.
Collaborated with customers to execute impactful research projects on Dscout, overseeing planning, design, recruiting, fielding, and client engagement.
Act as a Dscout expert to train and educate customers on platform functionality and Dscout methodology, driving wide and deep platform adoption.
Partnered with Sales team to boost customer retention, identify expansion opportunities, and proactively address churn risks.
Manage 1-3 Research Advisors, prioritizing workload, coaching on work performance, and professional growth.
Conducted onsite customer visits to gather feedback for the Product team and strengthen industry relationships.
Act as a customer advocate by sharing feedback internally to continuously improve Dscout’s product offerings.
Provide support and guidance to research participants
Senior User Experience (UX) Researcher
2 Years 1 Month
Bold Insight | 02.2023 - 03.2025
Lead multiple UX/HF research studies including exploratory, formative and summative studies, to refine and validate FDA-regulated medical devices to ensure they are safe and effective for patients.
Executed remote UX research studies using Dscout, enhancing participant engagement rates and reducing insight delivery time by 5 days compared to traditional methods.
Design and program complex qualitative and quantitative surveys featuring extensive branches, logic, and automatic internal data validation to ensure seamless, high-quality data collection.
Communicated strategic recommendations to clients, achieving satisfaction scores of 95% or greater and securing repeat engagements.
Build and maintain strong client relationships by effectively communicating strategic recommendations leading to client satisfaction scores of 95% or greater and repeat engagements.
Managed direct reports and trained on research methodologies and best practices, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
UX Researcher
1 Year 8 Months
Bold Insight | 06.2021 - 02.2023
Designed and implemented robust mixed-methods research studies, combining qualitative interviews, usability testing, diary studies, and large-scale surveys for digital health technologies.
Collaborated with designers, product managers, clients, and stakeholders to align data strategies and integrate key research findings into product development, enhancing user experience.
Analyzed complex qualitative and quantitative datasets to extract actionable insights that informed decision-making and optimized processes, contributing to improved project outcomes.
Led cross-functional teams to align stakeholders on timelines, budgets, and project goals, ensuring successful execution of research initiatives.
Adolescent Medicine Division Manager, Data Programs
2 Years
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago | 06.2019 - 06.2021
Developed data collection systems, methodologies, and procedures for 15+ NIH and CDC funded HIV/STI prevention research studies from study design to analysis/database lockdown.
Standardized Division data management by authoring and implementing SOPs including “Best practices for Preparing Datasets for Analysis” and “Data Aggregation Best Practices.”
Designed and implemented a standardized process for data abstraction via ROIs enabling multiple community based organizations with diverse workflows to efficiently submit data to meet goals.
Presented data analysis in narrative, table, graph, and Power BI dashboard formats for biweekly, quarterly, and DSMB reports, enhancing monitoring of patient safety.
Led cross-functional research teams and mentored junior researchers by prioritizing workload across teams, coaching individual work performance, and contributing to overall professional growth.
Implemented standardized data abstraction process via ROIs, enabling multiple community-based organizations with diverse workflows to submit data effectively to meet goals.
Lead Data Manager
1 Year 4 Months
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago | 02.2018 - 06.2019
Led implementation of data management plans for 10+ studies including multi-site clinical trials.
Performed quarterly QA and IRB audits, developing summary reports for stakeholders to enhance quality and accuracy of research data.
Designed user-friendly data collection systems in Qualtrics XM and REDCap, addressing complex data capturing needs while maintaining high data quality.
Conducted data management training sessions for division and hospital partners, improving overall data handling capabilities.
Senior Data Manager
2 Years 2 Months
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago | 12.2015 - 02.2018
Developed and validated surveys and data collection instruments in SaaS platforms for 5+ research studies, including NIH clinical trials and observational studies, enhancing data accuracy and reliability.
Evaluated software systems for data capture and secure storage, negotiating a 20% reduction in service fees, optimizing budget allocation for data collection systems.
Developed data management protocols to enhance data integrity and accessibility across departments.
Led cross-functional teams in implementing data governance initiatives to align with organizational standards.
Streamlined data reporting processes, reducing turnaround time for critical analyses and decision-making.
Data Manager
2 Years 4 Months
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago | 08.2013 - 12.2015
Programmed survey and other data collection instruments using SaaS-based platforms.
Reviewed, organized, and cleaned multi-year research study data to ensure integrity and usability for analysis.
Served as subject matter expert on data processes and systems, enabling leadership to make informed decisions regarding patient safety and monitoring.
Education
Master of Arts - Women's And Gender Studies
DePaul University | Chicago, IL | 06-2015
Honors with Distinction
Ballenger 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 04-2012
Summa cum laude
Minor in biology
Skills
HIV/STI Prevention Research
Epidemiologic Study Design
Data Management and Analysis
Statistical planning
Data programming
Public Health Surveillance
IRB Submission
SOP and protocol development
Team leadership
Complex concept communication
Certification
Optimal Methods and Strategies for Reproducible Research ICPSR at University of Michigan 2018
Data Management for Clinical Research - With distinction Vanderbilt University 2014
Improvisation Program (Levels A-E) The Second City 2016
Accomplishments
Optimal Methods and Strategies for Reproducible Research Data Management for Clinical Research - with distinction; Vanderbilt University 2014
Improvisation Program (Levels A-E); The Second City 2016
Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research(ICPSR); University of Michigan 2018
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS AS LEAD DATA MANAGER/ANALYST
Garofalo R, Adetunji A, Kuhns LM, et al. Evaluation of the iCARE Nigeria Pilot Intervention Using Social Media and Peer Navigation to Promote HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Among High-Risk Young Men: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(2):e220148.
Kuhns LM, Karnik N, Hotton A, Muldoon AL, Donenberg G, Keglovitz K, McNulty M, Schneider J, Summersett-Williams F, Garofalo R. A randomized controlled efficacy trial of an electronic screening and brief intervention for alcohol misuse in adolescents and young adults vulnerable to HIV infection: step up, test up study protocol. BMC Public Health. 2020 Jan 8;20(1):30.
Kolbuck VD, Muldoon AL, Rychlik C, Hidalgo MA, Chen D. Psychological functioning, parenting stress, and parental support among clinic-referred prepubertal gender-expansive children. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 2019 7(3), 254–266.
Timeline
Lead Research Advisor
Dscout
03.2025 - CurrentRead More
Senior User Experience (UX) Researcher
Bold Insight
02.2023 - 03.2025Read More
UX Researcher
Bold Insight
06.2021 - 02.2023Read More
Adolescent Medicine Division Manager, Data Programs
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
06.2019 - 06.2021Read More
Lead Data Manager
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
02.2018 - 06.2019Read More
Senior Data Manager
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
12.2015 - 02.2018Read More
Data Manager
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago