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Data analyst, R programmer, and research assistant interested in all things science, biostatistics, and clinical trials. Experienced in creating data-driven tools to improve STEM education, advancing active learning research, and providing feedback on public health interventions. Passionate about collaborating with researchers and industry leaders to better inform decisions and refine study design.

EDUCATION

University of North Dakota | Extended Learning Program
June 2021May 2022

GPA 4.0

  • Relevant Courses: Introductory Linear Algebra
Florida International University (FIU) | Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
August 2018May 2021

GPA 4.0, summa cum laude

  • Relevant Courses: Calculus I, Statistics I & II
  • Honors College graduate, Dean's List (2018-2021)
  • Multicultural Program & Services (MPAS) scholarship recipient

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

FIU STEM Transformation Institute - Learning Assistant Program
January 2023present

Data Analyst & R Programmer

  • Developed Shiny applications, including ‘Pick-LA’ (integrated with Qualtrics) for Learning Assistant selection and ‘LA-ReadyGo’ (connected to SharePoint) for notifying 60+ faculty each semester, enhancing efficiency in the hiring process.
  • Developed ‘Provost LA Initiative Review’ for faculty-course approval and funding allocation, ‘LA-Flip’ for generating 450+ LA contracts per term, and ‘LA Program Dashboard’ for delivering visual program statistics, supporting program leadership in decision-making with data.
  • Co-designed ‘LAunch Pad’, a multi-semester internship program aimed at expanding the skills of LA interns by leveraging Coursera to learn data analytics, supplemented by AI-driven activities and hands-on projects. 
  • Served as adjunct instructor for first-time LA pedagogy training course, introducing a new lesson on data literacy, academic integrity, and proper referencing. 
University of Miami School of Nursing and Health - REACH Equity Research Team
January 2022present

Member of Research Community Advisory Board

  • Collaborated with Dr. Audrey Harkness, PhD, and the REACH team during monthly CAB meetings, contributing to research publications and providing input on public health interventions targeting Latino MSM living in Miami, FL.
  • Contributed to the development of the ‘Within My Reach/Hombre a Hombre’ program, addressing the relationship needs of Latino MSM, and supported the ‘Oye Miami’  initiative, a platform that features personal stories from local Latino MSM about their experiences with PrEP, HIV testing, and behavioral health services.
  • Provided strategic feedback for ‘SOMOS Alianza’,  a collaborative initiative between community-based implementers and researchers in Miami, Orlando, and San Juan, supporting the development of effective HIV-prevention and treatment strategies, specifically aimed at engaging Latino MSM in PrEP and mental health/substance use treatment.
FIU Department of Biological Sciences
August 2021present

Course Analyst

  • Collaborated with Dr. Lisa Brinn, Ph.D., and education researchers to identify confounding variables aligned with current best practices in education research.
  • Conducted regression analyses in R to evaluate the potential impact of active learning on exam averages, passing rates, and DWF rates across 13 semesters in both lecture and lab Human Anatomy courses.
  • Applied LASSO variable selection to identify key predictors and developed an interactive dashboard that visualized findings, enabling dynamic exploration by semester, student demographics, and other relevant variables.
  • Provided data consultancy and facilitated the interpretation of statistical results, ensuring accurate application of insights to inform educational practices and research decisions.
FIU Department of Biological Sciences - Peer-led Team Learning (PLTL) Program
May 2020April 2021

Research Assistant Peer Leader

  • Trained in research methodologies across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, gaining skills in statistical analysis using SPSS and RStudio.
  • Conducted a study on how chemistry and biology students interpret REDOX reactions, utilizing surveys with PLTL participants.
FIU Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
August 2019April 2020

Research Intern/Observer

  • Participated in weekly team meetings and used Scite.ai to a conduct literature review about REDOX chemistry education.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

FIU STEM Transformation Institute - Learning Assistant Program
January 2019December 2023

Learning Assistant

  • Facilitated active learning and group sessions over 12 semesters across multiple STEM courses in Math, Biology, and Chemistry, guiding collaborative problem-solving and reinforcing course concepts.
  • Led in-class group discussions, guided by the pedagogy training received and weekly preparation sessions with instructors, while hosting weekly office hours and grading quizzes, activities, and homework.
  • Designed and implemented 3 biochemistry learning activities to enhance students' scientific literacy and data interpretation, focusing on amino acid mutations, enzyme kinetics, and fatty acid metabolism.
  • Organized and recorded interdisciplinary "Science Hours" for biochemistry students over 3 academic terms, integrating chemistry, physics, and anatomy concepts, with recordings accessible to current students.
FIU Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
August 2020April 2021

Teaching Assistant

  • Taught basic chemistry concepts to non-science majors, grading assignments and providing feedback to 20 students each semester to enhance their understanding.
  • Redesigned learning activities for greater accessibility and conducted R-based statistical analyses to assess grading consistency among teaching assistants.
FIU Department of Biological Sciences - Peer-led Team Learning (PLTL) Program
January 2019April 2020

Biology PLTL Leader

  • Led two workshop-style sections of 9-12 first-year biology students each semester for three semesters, facilitating collaborative problem-solving sessions using prepared worksheets and reinforcing course concepts in General Biology I.
  • Prepared workshop materials alongside supervisors during weekly meetings and earned recognition as "Peer-Leader of the Month" by the PLTL program, highlighted on the Leader Spotlight webpage.

SKILLS

  • R/SQL Programming 
  • Hosting Shiny Applications
  • Data visualization
  • Survey Design
  • Qualitative & Quantitative Methods
  • Thematic Analysis 
  • Hypothesis Testing 
  • Generalized Linear Modeling
  • Customer Discovery Interviewing
  • Business Model Canvasing

LANGUAGES

  • Spanish: Native/Fluent
  • English: Native/Fluent

CERTIFICATIONS

  • R Programming Specialization Certificate - Johns Hopkins (Present)
  • Advanced Data Analytics Certificate - Google (Present)
  • Data Analytics Certificate - Google

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed

  • Atuluru, P., Weinstein, E. R., Serrano, L. P., Doblecki-Lewis, S., Rogers, B. G., & Harkness, A. (2024). A Rapid Environmental Scan of South Florida HIV Organizations' Mpox Messaging During the August 2022 Peak of the U.S. Outbreak. AIDS and Behavior, 28(5), 1546–1558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-023-04176-z
    PubMed
  • Weinstein, E. R., Broos, H. C., Lozano, A., Jones, M. A., Serrano, L. P., & Harkness, A. (2024). Longitudinal predictors of post-exposure prophylaxis awareness among Latino sexual minority men in South Florida. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 47(3), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-024-00466-6
  • PubMed
  • Weinstein, E. R., Herrera, C. M., Pla Serrano, L., Martí Kring, E., & Harkness, A. (2023). Promoting health equity in HIV prevention and treatment research: A practical guide to establishing, implementing, and sustaining community advisory boards. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 10, 20499361231151508. https://doi.org/10.1177/20499361231151508
    PMC Article

Under Review/In Writing

  • Perry, N. S., Laporte, R. R., Pla Serrano, L., Rhoades, G. K., & Harkness, A. (Under review). Tailoring an evidence-based relationship education program for Latino sexual minority men through community engagement and input. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.
  • Pla Serrano, L., Acuna, A., Orozco, E., Schenk, H., Osorio, J., Sosa Antunez, Y., Reyes, N., Weinstein, E. R., Jaramillo, J., Lozano, A., Quiroz, B., & Harkness, A. (Under review). Processes and bidirectional benefits of a community advisory board of Latino sexual minority men in Miami, Florida. American Journal of Health Promotion.
  • Pla Serrano, L., Kornreich-Leshem, H. (In writing). Exploring problem-solution feedback of learning assistants in LA seminar via a design thinking project.
  • Pla Serrano, L., & Brinn, L. (In writing). Association between active learning and student performance and retention in human anatomy: A comparative study of traditional methods and active learning with learning assistants.

AWARDS, CONFERENCES & PRESENTATIONS

International Learning Assistance Conference 2024
October 2024

Presenter - Exploring Problem-Solution Feedback of LAs in LA Seminar via a Design Thinking Project

  • Delivered a research talk on preliminary findings from a qualitative descriptive study, which evaluated 56 presentations by first-time Learning Assistants through thematic analysis, revealing nine major categories that identified problems and solutions they suggested during a design thinking project aimed at improving their classroom environments and teaching practices.

National Science Foundation - iCorps Program, Award 2422819
June 2024present

Entrepreneurial Lead - Team 3510, STEM Peer

  • Collaborated with a technical lead and industry mentor in a seven-week program based on Stanford University’s Lean LaunchPad course, presenting weekly updates to I-Corps instructors and cohort teams while conducting parallel customer discovery interviews to better understand the needs of STEM faculty using the Learning Assistant model.
  • Awarded $50,000 in funding from I-Corps to support customer discovery, attending conferences, consulting with domain experts, and conducting over 120 interviews during the program to explore open-source and freemium SaaS models and potential funding options for our developing startup.

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

MedX Program
December 2019

Pre-med Volunteer

  • Assisted with medical outreach in the Dominican Republic, participating in basic medical simulations and supporting local medical students in delivering health services to underserved communities.
Superheroes for Colombia
March 2019

Community Volunteer

  • Organized a volunteering trip with Superheroes for Colombia, delivering toys and essentials to underserved children while engaging in educational and recreational activities with local families.