AYUMI SAITO
Seattle,WA
Summary
Epidemiologist and research scientist with experience linking complex biomedical datasets to support research decisions. Background includes laboratory and patient-reported outcome data analysis, data integration, data imputation, manuscript development, technical reporting, and synthesis of international expert discussions, with additional clinical training in modern and traditional medicine.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant / Research Scientist
Kinga Study Project, International Clinical Research Center, University of Washington
10.2024 - Current
- Conducted primary statistical analyses for in vitro HIV replication and host gene expression experiments and in vivo observational studies using cytokine assays, flow cytometry, immune-cell response data, and clinical measures.
- Led analysis across various study types, developed statistical analysis plans, and integrated genomic, laboratory, and clinical data to support study aims and inform analytic decisions.
- Prepared manuscripts and interpreted findings; translated analytical results into technical reports and data visualizations for publication, contributing to 5 publications and 2 conference papers, with additional projects in progress.
Research Assistant
PROSPECTS Study, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington
01.2022 - 09.2025
- Contributed to prospective study (n=598) operation and recruitment at the University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.
- Led development of review protocol and guided evidence synthesis and manuscript writing for scoping review on imaging severity and long-term pain and disability outcomes in lumbar spinal stenosis.
- Managed longitudinal statistical analyses of anticonvulsant and opioid use in people with low back pain using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models; directed manuscript development as first author.
Research Assistant
Burn Injury Model System National Database, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Built statistical analysis plans and ran longitudinal mixed-effects analyses for a multicenter cohort of approximately 700 burn survivors.
- Prepared analytical reports, tables, and figures for multisite prospective cohort study on psychosocial and functional outcomes.
- Supported investigators with interpretation of statistical results and manuscript development for burn injury recovery research.
Research Assistant
International Clinical Research Center, University of Washington
09.2020 - 08.2021
- Executed probabilistic and deterministic record linkage in R to integrate de-identified university and state datasets, enhancing transmission-pattern analysis.
Rapporteur
World Health Organization and Ministry of AYUSH
12.2019 - Current
- Synthesized discussions among international experts and prepared technical reports for standardization of traditional medicine terminology, advising specialists on alignment with WHO protocols.
- Proposed creative strategies to improve team collaboration and efficiency during project meetings.
Volunteer Researcher
Kokua Kalili Valley Comprehensive Family Services
04.2019 - 09.2019
- Reviewed evaluation tools on social determinants of health to enhance evidence synthesis for community health intervention assessments.
Public Health Intern / Research Assistant
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
07.2017 - 08.2018
- Supported manuscript publication in lifestyle medicine through thorough study screening and data extraction for systematic reviews.
- Delivered independent work and effective collaboration with external experts.
Teaching Associate
EPI 511 Foundations in Epidemiology, University of Washington
09.2025
- Provided graduate instruction in epidemiologic methods by tutoring, providing individualized guidance, assessing student performance, grading, and offering constructive feedback.
- Evaluated and provided feedback on student assignments to ensure understanding of course material.
- Facilitated an EPI 511 course of the University of Washington for non-epidemiology students.
Teaching Assistant
BIOL 350 Foundations in Physiology, University of Washington
09.2021
- Supported physiology discussion sections for University of Washington BIOL 350 course with 60+ students.
- Led quiz sections on physiology concepts and research methods, graded assignments and exams, and provided individualized guidance.
- Guided students through study design, trial conduct, and analysis interpretation for randomized controlled trial projects, strengthening research methods understanding.
Seminar Planner and Lecturer / Health Tourism Coordinator
Travel Assistance Service, Kerala, India
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Coordinated and delivered workshops on traditional Indian medicine for international healthcare professionals, enhancing their understanding of holistic practices.
- Coordinated bookings, reservations, and schedule changes with vendors and partners.
Medical Intern
Siddha and allopathic hospitals, India
08.2014 - 10.2015
- Provided consultations, treatments, and diagnostic procedures in governmental and private Siddha hospitals and an allopathic gynecological hospital, enhancing patient care and outcomes.
- Participated in hospital rounds alongside senior physicians in Siddha and allopathic settings, contributing to patient evaluations.
Education
PhD - Epidemiology
University of Washington
01-2026
Master of Public Health -
Brown University
01-2019
Bachelor - Siddha Medicine and Surgery
University of Kerala
India01-2015
Skills
- Statistical analysis planning, programming, and reporting
- Longitudinal data analysis
- Prospective cohort study
- Clinical research
- Clinical, genomic, biomedical, patient-reported data
- Laboratory data analysis
- Data integration; record linkage
- Data imputation techniques
- Data interpretation
- Data visualization methods
- R programming; Quarto; R-Markdown
- Systematic review; scoping review
- Manuscript development
- Scientific communication strategies
Personal Information
Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST AND EPIDEMIOLOGIST
Awards
UW Epidemiology Fellowship, 2026; Brown MPH Partial Scholarship, 2016–2018; Indian Council for Cultural Relations Full Scholarship, 2008–2015; University of Kerala first rank with distinction.
Affiliations
Affiliate Member, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UW, 2024–Present; Graduate Student Committee, Earth Lab Climate Justice Conversations & Connections, 2024–2025.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- MacLean F, Zemek RM, Tsegaye AT, et al. (coauthor: Saito A). Genital herpes shedding episodes associate with altered spatial organization and activation of mucosal immune cells. JCI Insight. 2025.
- MacLean F, Tsegaye AT, Graham JB, Saito A, et al. Bacterial vaginosis associates with dysfunctional T cells and altered soluble immune factors in the cervicovaginal tract. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2025.
- Noordzij RC, Saito A, Humbert A, et al. Characterization of stigma and its predictors in the burn population: A Burn Model System National Database Study. Journal of Burn Care & Research. 2025.
- Rundell SD, Saito A, Meier E, et al. The Lumbar Stenosis Prognostic Subgroups for Personalizing Care and Treatment (PROSPECTS) study: protocol for an inception cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022.
- Katz DL, Karlisen MC, Chung M, et al. (coauthor: Saito A). Hierarchies of Evidence Applied to Lifestyle Medicine (HEALM). BMC Medical Research Methodology. 2019.
- WHO Siddha Working Group. WHO Standard International Terminology of Siddha Medicine. World Health Organization. 2023. Contributor, expert, and rapporteur.
- Saito A, Parman T, et al. Radiological severity of lumbar spinal stenosis and prognosis for pain and disability outcomes: a scoping review. In submission; lead author.
- Saito A, et al. Gut, brain, and pain: Disorders of gut-brain interaction associated with low back pain. International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health. 2024.
- Saito A, et al. Constipation status and low back pain: Using the Traditional Indian Medicine model to understand associations between the gut-brain axis and pain. International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health. 2024.
- Gornalusse G, Dwivedi A, Saito A, et al. Host gene expression pathways associated with HIV reservoir size. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. 2025.
Timeline
Teaching Associate
EPI 511 Foundations in Epidemiology, University of Washington
09.2025
Research Assistant / Research Scientist
Kinga Study Project, International Clinical Research Center, University of Washington
10.2024 - Current
Research Assistant
Burn Injury Model System National Database, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington
03.2024 - 09.2024
Research Assistant
PROSPECTS Study, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington
01.2022 - 09.2025
Teaching Assistant
BIOL 350 Foundations in Physiology, University of Washington
09.2021
Research Assistant
International Clinical Research Center, University of Washington
09.2020 - 08.2021
Rapporteur
World Health Organization and Ministry of AYUSH
12.2019 - Current
Volunteer Researcher
Kokua Kalili Valley Comprehensive Family Services
04.2019 - 09.2019
Public Health Intern / Research Assistant
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
07.2017 - 08.2018
Seminar Planner and Lecturer / Health Tourism Coordinator
Travel Assistance Service, Kerala, India
01.2015 - 01.2018
Medical Intern
Siddha and allopathic hospitals, India
08.2014 - 10.2015
PhD - Epidemiology
University of Washington
Master of Public Health -
Brown University
Bachelor - Siddha Medicine and Surgery
University of Kerala