Using data science to drive change and impact in STEMM education and outreach

Sometimes, the path we think we’re destined for leads us to unexpected passions that redefine our purpose. I got accepted into medical school and sat through the lectures, experiencing sleepless nights chasing the dream I thought I wanted. But as I did, I realized I had a passion for the research and numbers behind the outcomes I was learning about. Eventually, I traded in my white coat for a dataset. 

During medical school, I started working in a cancer research lab. That experience was a turning point that opened my eyes to how much I enjoyed research and data analysis. At that point, I stepped away from medicine and came to St. Jude to pursue research full-time. I joined the Department of Developmental Neurobiology at St. Jude, doing cancer research in the Peng lab. Shortly after, I enrolled in a Master of Science in Data Science program at Christian Brothers University to sharpen my skills and align my career with data analysis.

Driving impact through data

The integrated domain of science, technology, engineering, math and medicine (STEMM) is where I thought I could make an impact - bringing together my interest in research and data analysis. About a year after enrolling in the Master’s program, I became a data analyst within the St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program. I’m a part of a team that focuses on program evaluation and continuous improvement. We help groups understand the impact of their programs and make data-informed decisions to improve them. We take a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data to measure the success of a program by uncovering its impact on participants and identifying opportunities for program improvement.

My role focuses on the quantitative side of our work, including survey design, data analysis and the application of statistical methods. I use coding languages like R and visualization software such as Microsoft PowerBI to perform statistical tests, analyze trends and generate data visualizations that help evaluate program outcomes. If it involves numbers, I can make sense of it. 

Where the data matters most 

The STEMM Education and Outreach Program is dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of scientists and critical thinkers. Through hands-on learning, mentorship and community-based initiatives, the program provides students with meaningful opportunities to engage with STEMM topics. The program offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities that make a lasting impact on students by creating learning experiences that empower youth and expand their sense of what is possible.

Beyond my job as a data analyst, I started to volunteer and offer my time and skills wherever I could be useful. I helped with the Kindergarten Infectious Disease and Wellness Collaborative by visiting classrooms to share my role as a scientist and introduce the students to the basics of science and data analysis. I also volunteer with the Community Health Club, helping middle school students explore and understand the impact of cancer within their local communities. 

Through a data-driven approach, I teach students how to interpret and visualize public health data, such as cancer incidence and mortality rates. To do so, I guide students through the basics of Excel, teaching them how to input data, create graphs and build meaningful visualizations. This helps them develop technical skills and begin to understand how data can reflect real-world issues in their own neighborhoods.

Bringing it full circle

I was born in Puerto Rico. When I was five, my family relocated to Collierville, Tennessee. Ever since, the Memphis area has been home. The students I support today are walking the same hallways, sitting in the same classrooms and growing up in the same neighborhoods that shaped me. I see these students as reflections of my own story, and a reminder of what’s possible when we invest in our communities.

I have seen firsthand how powerful it is when students are given the right tools, the right mentors and the confidence to believe that they belong in these spaces. 

Looking back, I never imagined that stepping away from medical school would lead me to a role where I get to blend my love for data science with my passion for giving back. Being part of an institution with such an impactful mission makes this work even more meaningful. I’m proud to help carry that mission forward.