Public Health Data Scientist

Roberto Mejia

Epidemiologist & Data Scientist

Address **** ****** ** **. *******, GA, 30345

Phone 678-***-****

E-mail ********@*****.***

Senior project manager on public health analytics working with diverse teams to provide IT health solutions for the federal government. Dynamic researcher with ample experience conducting projects for a variety of epidemiological and public health priority areas including surveillance of HIV/AIDS, chronic diseases, and respiratory diseases (COVID-19) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Professor of Public Health and biostatistics and senior SAS and R programmer. Results-oriented and excellent written and oral communication skills.

Skills

Epidemiology/Data Analytics

Excellent

SAS/R/Python/Tableau/Epi-Info Programmer

Very Good

Population Survey Research

Very Good

Professor of Public Health and Biostatistics

Excellent

Work History

04 – 2023 Data Scientist and Simulation Specialist Current Division of Oral Health, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA

• Provides data management and analytics support for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics. Tasks include coding oral health algorithms in SAS and SUDAAN to generate population-based statistical and programmatic reports for CDC’s senior management and MMWR publications.

• Developed two dashboards using python-dash apps for the CDC’s Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS). A state and county-level app with mapping capabilities and dropdown options to filter the data by PWS (Public Water Systems) and a discrepancy report dashboard to monitor state performance to provide optimal fluoridation and operational data.

• Developed a cloud-based survey to modernize the Sealant Efficiency Assessment program for Locals and States (SEALS). The survey is on a testing phase for scaling - up in Epi-Info 7.

• Coordinate WFRS state reporting daily activities (i.e., bi-annual fluoridation statistics, data upload, website’s trouble shooting).

2022-03 - Senior Manager, Public Health Data Analytics 04 - 2023 Maximus, Atlanta, GA

• Collaborated with the health strategy and innovation team on developing a machine learning model to predict COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the US.

• Worked with four workstreams on projects aimed at developing solutions for CDC’s Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) including a software solution on advancing electronic case reporting (eCR) and surveillance for state health departments and local jurisdictions

• Managed a team of data architects, data engineers, and public health scientists to develop a scalable, data enterprise solution for the CDC’s DMI project

• Developed a data visualization tool in Tableau® to weekly monitoring RFPs and other contract vehicles from federal agencies and state grants

• Provided epidemiological and bio-statistical support to advance public health and data modernization initiatives at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC. 2014-06 –

2022-02

Data Scientist, CDC Contractor (NCIRD/NCBDDD)

Maximus, Atlanta, GA

• Provided bio-statistical & data analytical support on surveillance activities of respiratory diseases in five US cities (New Vaccine Surveillance Network, NVSN study)

• Developed SAS programs to check for data integrity and provided NVSN's sites with quarterly data reports.

• Provided advance statistical support (i.e., logistic regression models, discriminant, and factor analysis modeling technics) to EIS officers and epidemiologists working at CDC/NCIRD

• Deployed twice in 2021 to support CDC's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on COVID-19 activities related to data visualizations and surveillance using health care national datasets and cloud-based analytic environments

• Conducted population-based data analysis generating national weighted estimates on alcohol use among adults in the US at the National Center of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) in conjunction with CDC’s Division of Population Health (DPH)

2013-01 -

Current

Adjunct/Visiting Professor

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

• Developed syllabus and curriculum materials on descriptive and inferential statistics

(i.e., measures of disease frequency, chi-square test, t-test, non-parametric test, OR calculation, confidence limits, linear regression, ANOVA models) for graduate students, master’s in development practice.

• Encouraged class discussions on how to use data and apply statistical methods on current development issues affecting communities around world. Provided hands-on training using SPSS statistical software.

• Used a variety of learning modules and SAS support materials to facilitate and teach BIOS500 labs at Rollins School of Public Health

2013-11 -

2014-06

Public Health Analyst

Scimetrika LLC, Atlanta, GA

• Logistical and analytical support for Field Epidemiology Training Program Branch

(FETP), Division of Global Health Protection at CDC.

• Worked with project officer to provide technical assistance for global FETP data reporting system (i.e., monthly tracker)

• Developed training materials in Spanish for Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) global health initiative.

• Assisted project officers on curriculum development in five pilot countries: China, Thailand, Colombia, Jordan, and Tanzania.

2011-02 -

2012-12

Project Officer, Associate Researcher

Universidad CES, School of Medicine, Medellin, Colombia

• Coordinated research activities for two epidemiological studies on mental health in conjunction with Harvard University School of Medicine, World Mental Health Consortium (WMH), and the local government in Medellin, Colombia. Closely collaborated with project officers to identify and quickly address issues.

• Developed quality control protocols for data collection, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.

• Collaborated with leadership team to identify relevant research questions for publication of findings.

• Provided technical assistance to the Colombian Ministry of Health to develop a mental health surveillance system (former Colombian Mental Health Observatory in 2012.

2003-09 -

2010-12

Public Health Analyst

Business Computer Applications, (CDC/NCHSTP), Atlanta, GA

• Contributed to writing of scientific manuscripts for publication on peer reviewed journals in US based on quantitative and qualitative research using multivariate analysis including logistic regression, aim at studying behavioral and structural factors associated with recent HIV infection

• Coded interviewer's transcriptions and writing qualitative reports using CDC-EZ-Text for database management and analysis of qualitative codes using SAS.

• Provided scientific assistance to Massachusetts' Community Planning Group (CPG) and published findings from observations made for group-level behavioral data collected in 2001-2002.

• Provided technical and scientific assistance to health departments, researchers, and stakeholders to disseminate evidence-based behavioral HIV interventions in US (i.e., REP and ADAPT projects) and program evaluation.

• Prepared and presented government briefings and policy guidance based on collaborative work with HIV stakeholders.

2003-01 -

2003-08

Program & Planning Analyst

Bureau of Managed Healthcare Programs, WI, Madison, WI

• Provided scientific and technical expertise in running predictive models for state

(substance use and mental health metrics)

• Assisted senior level officers on publishing scientific papers, government briefings, and policy guidance for SSI Medicaid Managed Care population. 1993-02 -

1999-07

Universidad CES

Universidad CES, School of Medicine / Dentistry, Medellin, Colombia

• Graduate research professor on epidemiological methods and biostatistics

• Faculty/instructor, school of dentistry, oral surgery, and general practice. Administrative activities included continued education and Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) training for local and national public health agencies

• Co-authored manuscripts based on secondary analyses of large population-based surveys on school and community violence

• Instructor of dental practice and prevention among graduate students Education

1999-08 -

2003-05

Ph.D. MS Developmental Psychology

Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA

1994-02 -

1995-11

Master of Science: Epidemiology

Universidad CES - Medellin, Colombia

1988-01 -

1992-11

Doctor of Dental Medicine

Universidad CES - Medellin, Colombia

Accomplishments

• Developed two state-level dashboards for the CDC’s water surveillance reporting system. Presented the results to project officers and senior management.

• Successfully led an IT solution’s team over a period of 10 weeks to develop a pilot project for a CDC’s data enterprise infrastructure solution.

• Served as chief scientist on a population-based study in Mental Health in Colombia, South America in conjunction with Harvard University and Colombian researchers in 2011-2012.

• Authored 5 publications in violence and drug use prevention and co-authored 16 publications on diverse topics in public health.

• Taught epidemiological methods to five cohorts of master-level epidemiology students in Colombia.

• Professor of BIOS500 lab and applied statistics at Emory university

• Successfully trained and supervised five cohorts of undergraduate students in dental emergencies and community health between 1993-1998.

• Bilingual (Spanish-English).

Consultations:

• Scientific Committee Member, School of Dentistry, Universidad CES, Medellin-Colombia. Revista CES Odontologia (Journal of Dentistry). Dates: 1999-Present.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). Scientific and logistic coordinator: Workshop on Strengthening Non- Communicable Disease Capacity in the Pacific Islands, August 13-15, 2013.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP). Curriculum Development for the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), Alianza Net. D. David Kleinbaum, Emory University, 04/2010 - 06/2013.

• Emory University, School of Medicine

Statistical Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Georgia Latino Diabetes Program, Grady Memorial Hospital, 2006-2016.

• Software Development Rolling School of Public Health, Emory University. Activepi 2.0 (CD Spanish Version). David Kleinbaum, Nancy Barker, Kevin Sullivan, 08/2010 - 06/2013. Awards:

• Outstanding Developmental Psychology Student Award. College of Humanities and Sciences Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond Virginia, 2003

• Outstanding job performance. Development of an EndNote Library for the CDC’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders' epidemiology team. Blue Ribbon Award (September 2016).

• Maximus Federal recognition for successful completion of its Leadership Development Program, 2022

Selected Publications

Hartsell J, Sanciangco J, Mejia R, Hoelzer, K. Predicting counties with elevated COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy utilizing a data mining approach. American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo, Boston, Massachusetts. November 6-9, 2022 McKnight-Eily LR, Okoro CA, Mejia R, Denny CH, Higgins-Biddle J, Hungerford D, Kanny D, Sniezek JE. Screening for Excessive Alcohol Use and Brief Counseling of Adults - 17 States and the District of Columbia, 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Mar 31;66(12):313-319. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6612a1. PMID: 28358798; PMCID: PMC5657951.

Green PP, McKnight-Eily LR, Tan CH, Mejia R, Denny CH. Vital Signs: Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies — United States, 2011–2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:91–97. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6504a6

Carey, J.W., Mejia, R., Bingham, T. et al. Drug Use, High-Risk Sex Behaviors, and Increased Risk for Recent HIV Infection among Men who Have Sex with Men in Chicago and Los Angeles. AIDS Behav 13, 1084–1096

(2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9403-3

Guillermo E. Umpierrez, Dawn Smiley, Ariel Zisman, Luz M. Prieto, Andres Palacio, Miguel Ceron, Alvaro Puig, Roberto Mejia; Randomized Study of Basal-Bolus Insulin Therapy in the Inpatient Management of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes (RABBIT 2 Trial). Diabetes Care 1 September 2007; 30 (9): 2181– 2186. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc07-0295

Mejia, Roberto, Wendy Kliewer, and Larry Williams. "Domestic violence exposure in Colombian adolescents: Pathways to violent and prosocial behavior." Journal of Traumatic Stress: Official Publication of The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 19.2 (2006): 257-267.

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