Ashlee Sawyer, Ph.D.

• Center for the Study of Tobacco, During the first month, designed study processes for 2 grant-funded projects 1 year behind schedule
• Supervised multiple projects from project start through delivery by prioritizing needs and delegating assignments
• Developed and implemented innovative methods and technologies to collect data
• Responsible for developing research plans, data collection documentation, SOPs, and training materials; managing survey data collection; and ensuring data quality control

• Developed diverse research portfolio examining various health topics within and across populations
• Designed and managed 7 survey research projects; performed qualitative and quantitative analysis
• Led or contributed to 12 publications and 21 conference presentations
• Known for ability to build trust and rapport with community partners and maintain relationships
• Ensured NIMH-funded project goals/timelines were met by managing recruitment, interviewing, and transcription—exceeding goals by 10% and outperforming the other study site by 27%
• Performed statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analysis

• Edited 267 peer-reviewed manuscripts to improve readability and impact
• Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and compliance with quality standards
• Provided editing across 8 topic areas, including public health and health care; social science, arts, and humanities; medicine and pharmacology; physical sciences; and biology and life sciences

• Accomplishment: Awarded 1 $100,000 grant to lead 3 policy-driven impact evaluation projects
• Sought out by Co-Director to design research projects and alternative approaches
• Contributed to and actively participated in research conception, design, and execution
• Published study results in 5 journals; presented at 2 seminars and 13 conferences
• Led and performed qualitative, complex quantitative, and mixed-methods data analysis
• Leveraged interpersonal and communication skills to mentor Ph.D
• Students and research assistants

• Refocused program evaluation goals and redesigned data collection and management processes
• Built 1 new web-based survey; completed survey testing, data collection, and data analysis
• Developed 1 comprehensive results report synthesizing findings using graphs, figures, and summary points and analyzing problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions
• Delivered outstanding client service to maintain and extend relationships for future opportunities
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.

• Undergraduate courses taught: Applied Statistics, Health Psychology, and Psychology of Women
• Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions, and using techniques to track student participation
• Consistently rated “excellent” in teaching; built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional, and academic goals while providing coaching on effective study habits
• Developed creative and effective course content teaching methods to capture students' attention

• Conducted service audits with accuracy, evaluating effectiveness and compliance with MS&Gs
• Documented findings and produced reports to aid management in assessing and correcting quality concerns
• Worked with medical providers to address gaps in knowledge and needs to improve internal systems and service quality

• Used strong communication skills to counsel patients and families who were unsure, highly emotional, and/or experiencing unusually complex circumstances
• Leveraged patient feedback and performed continuous process improvements to streamline day-to-day business operations and patient satisfaction
• Devised and implemented systems to improve operational efficiency, staff communication and cohesion, and patient care quality
• Trained new staff on correct procedures, compliance requirements, and performance strategies

• Provided patient and family education on available resources and care options
• Developed individual treatment plans and provided counseling to hundreds of patients
• Created transparent, supportive environment where patients felt comfortable sharing questions and needs
• Improved rates of follow-up care receipt and birth control adoption by increasing knowledge, improving access, and addressing questions and concerns

• Assisted with identifying community resources and connecting people with appropriate services
• Educated individuals on sexual and reproductive health topics at community outreach events
• Increased STI testing rates by organizing local community events and boosting advertising

Dissertation: Evaluating how motivations to receive cervical cancer screening and follow-up care differ between Black and White women (https://doi.org/10.25772/NAPB-1K73)

Professional Development: Conducted a feasibility program evaluation for a local non-profit

Relevant Coursework: Survey methodology, research methods, public health policy & politics, graduate statistics, multivariate methods, structural equation modeling

Thesis: Are you Covered? Examining how knowledge of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act influences use of preventive reproductive health services (https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.17681.43367)

Awarded Meritorious Abstract Award by the Society of Behavioral Medicine

Magna Cum Laude

Honors Thesis: The impacts of heavy drinking and drinking on intimate partner violence

President of VOX at ODU student organization

4-year Academic Honors Scholarship Recipient