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From Navya:
I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science in 2023 from PES University, Bangalore, India. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Data Science at the University of Washington. I work part-time as a Data Manager in the L16HTHOUSE study. The L16HTHOUSE study is a clinical trial investigating the effects of Arbaclofen on children/adolescents with neurodevelopmental impairments caused by a 16p11.2 chromosomal deletion.
As a part of my role, I am mostly responsible for defining data organization and maintenance protocols, ensure timely completion and secure storage of PHI (Protected Health Information) data within Zelta (a data management system), and document clinical assessments and procedures comprehensively. Additionally, I assist the team with administering drug dispensing and performing some assessments during patient visits.
Although I have no formal training in psychology and human subjects research, I was always fascinated by the field of psychology. Throughout college and high school, I spent many hours reading psychology books and attending webinars. Fueled by my interest, I co-authored a paper titled, “Supervised Learning Models to Predict Mental Illness and its Severity from Reddit Posts” which is currently under publication in an IJCSE journal. This research explores the application of data science techniques to analyze social media data, specifically in identifying and assessing mental health issues using supervised classification and probabilistic calibration.
Working with L16HTHOUSE while pursuing my Data Science degree has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I get to work with a multidisciplinary team from diverse backgrounds which broadens my worldview and creates an environment of continuous learning. I recognize the multidisciplinary nature of data science, allowing me to apply my skills in various fields.
During my time here, I’ve gained insights into leveraging data management techniques to enhance efficiency and objectivity in both pediatric psychology and human subjects research. I learn about the importance of maintaining accurate and complete PHI data to ensure success of the clinical trial. Ensuring data validity is crucial, as errors or breaches can compromise research findings. I try my best to maintain records of data access and have developed comprehensive plans for backing up PHI data to ensure its availability in emergencies.
Working with L16HTHOUSE, I have the unique opportunity to make decisions about data organization and maintenance. Knowing that the team trusts my judgment has taught me to be accountable as my choices directly impact the quality and accessibility of data. This experience has deepened my understanding of data management best practices.
More About Me:
I was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA but was mostly raised in Bangalore, India.
I am passionate about combining my love for people with data-driven methodologies to create solutions that directly impact people’s lives. Working at the IHDD, where my skills directly contribute to impactful work, has further solidified my passion. I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made and the knowledge I gained about human subjects research .This experience also allowed me to fulfill my love of working with children.
I like to think I have a wide range of hobbies. One could call me a “jack of all trades, master of none” and I wear that badge with pride. I’ve been formally trained in Indian classical music and dance, and can also play the veena. I love taking naps on rainy afternoons (even sunny afternoons). I love cooking with my roommates and even exploring new places to eat with my friends.
