Joel Finkelman

Waunakee,WI

Summary

Clinical research informatics and healthcare data systems professional experienced in designing complex REDCap databases, rescuing fragmented historical datasets, building QA workflows, and improving research data operations. Department-level database architect, manager, and subject matter expert for 50-100 active and historical clinical research and data storage projects with strong ability to translate clinician, researcher, statistician, and operational needs into usable systems and reliable data delivery.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Data Engineer II / Clinical Research Informaticist

University of Wisconsin-Madison | Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation

01.2024 - Current

Serve as department-level REDCap database manager and subject matter expert for 50–100 active and historical clinical research projects, data storage projects, and research data workflows across Orthopedics & Rehabilitation.
Design, build, and maintain complex REDCap databases using data dictionaries and Online Designer, including longitudinal structures, repeating instruments, surveys, branching logic, calculated fields, custom alerts, reports, user rights, DAGs, imports, and exports.
Builder and architect of the Badger Athletic Performance REDCap database, supporting 15+ years of historical and ongoing UW athlete testing data across all men’s and women’s sports.
Developed data request workflow with automated notifications, request tracking, turnaround monitoring, and secure data return.
Created QA workflows using REDCap reports, R/RStudio, and Excel to identify missing data, incorrect formats, unit inconsistencies, outliers, and cross-instrument mismatches, generating review files for clinical research coordinators to confirm or correct flagged values.
Led consolidation projects, combining separate but clinically relevant databases into singular sources focused on interoperability and end-user access.
Collaborate with clinicians, researchers, statisticians, athletic performance staff, medical students, and external collaborators to define database structures, reporting needs, variable naming conventions, units, QA processes, and data delivery expectations.

Clinical Research Coordinator

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carbone Cancer Center

01.2021 - 01.2024

Coordinated simultaneous management of 40-80 next-generation sequencing test workflows, streamlining processes to support clinical research participants, oncology providers, pathology laboratories, and clinical staff effectively.
Developed quality assurance tools to ensure accuracy of patient data entered into medical records, aligning with clinical and research requirements.
Resolved operational, billing, and financial issues related to next-generation sequencing testing workflows while maintaining communication across providers, laboratories, finance, and research teams.

Radio Producer and Host

iHeartMedia

08.2014 - 08.2019

Produced/co-hosted more than 2,000 live radio programs while managing real-time communication, technical production, digital content, audience engagement, and more.

Education

Master of Science - Clinical And Healthcare Informatics

University of Wisconsin

Madison, WI

05-2023

Bachelor of Arts - Communications

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Whitewater, WI

05-2014

Bachelor of Science - Kinesiology

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI

05-2012

Skills

Clinical Research Informatics
REDCap Database Design
Data Quality Assurance
User Rights & DAGs
Data Imports & Exports
Advanced Excel
R/RStudio for data cleaning
Epic/HealthLink

OnCore
Historical Data Migration
Workflow Improvement
Data Request Workflows
Reports & Alerts
Clinical Research Operations
Stakeholder Training
Cross-Functional Collaboration

Timeline