Research & Data Analysis Specialist with Public Health Focus

PRANEETHA PINNAKA

+1-224-***-**** Newark, NJ *****

*******************@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/praneetha-pinnaka- 388a41313

SUMMARY

I am a Research Support Associate with over one year of experience supporting research projects, along with prior research experience in public health. I have a strong background in epidemiology, biostatistics, and clinical dentistry, with experience in patient care and assisting with dental procedures in clinical settings. Throughout my research experience, I have developed expertise in grant preparation, manuscript development, IRB documentation, and regulatory processes, as well as in sample collection, preparation, and storage in a laboratory setting for research studies. I am proficient in using R, SAS, and SPSS to analyze and interpret health data. My combined clinical, research, and academic experience enables effective collaboration with researchers and clinicians within an academic environment while supporting the accurate and compliant execution of research projects.

EDUCATION

Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) (GPA-3.75) The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Aug 2023-Dec 2024 Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery (GPA-3.79)

KLE Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India Oct 2016- Dec2021 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Research Support Associate – Biomaterials laboratory Rutgers School of Dental Medicine – Newark, NJ

April 2025 – Present

• Hands-on experience using laboratory equipment including Scanning Electron Microscopy

(SEM), Universal Testing Machine (UTM), and Vickers microhardness tester for material characterization and analysis.

• Handled preparation, labeling, and storage of biological and material samples in a laboratory setting following established protocols and safety guidelines.

• Worked on preparing and supporting federal grant applications, including NIH (R03) and NSF proposals, along with budgets, biosketches, facilities sections, and IRB/compliance documentation.

• Identified and reviewed relevant funding opportunities (RFAs, FOAs, and program announcements) aligned with ongoing research projects.

• Contributed to manuscript writing and supported journal submission, revisions, and documentation processes.

• Supported sample preparation and assisted with routine laboratory procedures, data collection, and experimental workflows.

• Coordinated research activities with Principal Investigators and team members to support project timelines and progress.

• Managed day-to-day laboratory operations, including ordering supplies, coordinating with vendors, and maintaining inventory.

• Assisted graduate and Master students with laboratory techniques and day-to-day research activities.

• Maintained regulatory compliance with HIPAA, IRB standards, and institutional data protection policies.

• Performed data management and statistical analysis using R, SAS, and SPSS to support pilot studies and manuscript development.

Research Data Analyst Intern – Gulf South Center, Hattiesburg, MS Aug 2024 – Dec 2024

• Performed statistical analysis using R, SAS, and SPSS to analyze epidemiological data, including regression, ANOVA, and multivariate analysis.

• Worked on the Aspire Project, performing data cleaning, statistical analysis, and data interpretation to examine relationships between multiple variables and public health outcomes.

• For the Aspire Project, entered and organized Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ III) data in REDCap, ensuring data accuracy.

• Supported documentation for grant proposals and also worked on manuscripts and literature reviews for the Aspire Project.

• Volunteered in community outreach programs, creating awareness on diet and nutrition as part of the Aspire Project.

Master’s Researcher – Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The University of Southern Mississippi Aug 2023-Dec 2024

• Worked on designing different epidemiological study methodologies, including case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, and retrospective studies, to investigate disease patterns, population health trends, and health disparities.

• Applied statistical techniques such as regression, ANOVA, multivariate analysis, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation), chi-square tests, t-tests, and hypothesis testing to analyze data.

• Worked with large datasets, including NHANES and CDC data, performing data cleaning, data analysis, and data interpretation using tools such as SPSS, SAS, and R.

• Developed risk prediction and assessment models to examine factors associated with chronic diseases.

• Engaged in both collaborative and independent research projects, working with peers on team- based studies while leading individual research efforts. Associate Dentist – Siddharth Dental Clinic, India Jan 2022 – Jul 2023

• Performed dental procedures including scaling, fillings, extractions, and crown placements using different types of dental materials.

• Performed over 950 fillings, 500 scaling procedures, and 525 crown preparations.

• Managed end-to-end patient care, including initial examinations, reviewing medical history and insurance, explaining treatment plans and costs, and overseeing treatment through completion.

• Performed emergency access opening of root canals for pain management and initial endodontic treatment.

• Scheduled appointments with specialists when advanced or follow-up treatment was required.

• Educated patients on oral health and promoted awareness of preventive care practices.

• Ensured daily sterilization and proper maintenance of dental instruments in accordance with clinical safety protocols.

• Ensured proper disposal of biomedical waste in accordance with safety and regulatory protocols.

• Assisted in conducting free oral health check-ups in rural and urban communities, including schools, colleges, and underserved areas, promoting oral health awareness. TOTAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (As of Feb 2025: 3 Years 2 Months)

• Epidemiological & Biostatistical Research (Master’s Program – Active Researcher): 1 year 5 months (Aug 2023 – December2024)

• Biomedical Data Analysis (Research Data Analyst Intern): 4 months (Aug 2024 – Dec 2024

• Translational & Grant-Based Research: 1 year (Apr 2025 – Apr 2026) SKILLS

• Scientific Writing & Grant Development: Federal grant writing (NIH, NSF), proposal development and supporting documentation, budget justification for federal grants.

• Large Language Models & AI Tools: Applied knowledge of large language models (LLMs) for biomedical and public health research applications, use of Ollama and Open Web UI for research workflows.

• Technical Skills: IBM SPSS, SAS, R Studio, Epi Info.

• Data Analysis: Data Cleaning, Preparation, Wrangling, Risk Assessment, Statistical Reporting, Biostatistics (Linear/Logistic Regression, Survival Analysis)

• Databases: QUALTRICS, REDCAP, MATLAB, Ollama, Open Web UI (AI-powered data analysis and modeling)

• Research & Reporting: Literature reviews, manuscript preparation, research report writing, and data management.

• Microsoft office: Microsoft Word, MS Power point, Microsoft Excel.

• Other Skills: Data cleaning and statistical analysis, Data Mining and visualization, Disease outbreak and surveillance, Epidemiological study designs, problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, interpersonal skills, innovative and critical thinking, decision-making, attention to detail, risk management, leadership skills, and organizational skills. PROJECTS

1. Association of Urinary Albumin-Creatinine Ratio and Type II Diabetes using NHANES DATA by SAS

2. Analyzed the relationship between smoking status, demographics, and physical activity using SAS, based on data from the CARDIA study.

3. Exploring Perceptions and Attitudes on Microplastics among Mississippi Adults. CERTIFICATIONS

1. CITI Program- Human Subjects Research: Stage -1 – University of Southern Mississippi 2023 2. CITI Program- Common Course: Stage -1 - University of Southern Mississippi 2023 3. CITI Good Clinical Practice: Stage - 1 - University of Southern Mississippi 2025 4. PH Learn Link- Emergency Preparedness and Leadership series - University of Washington 2024

5. 2024-25 HIPAA Basics and Best Practices – Rutger’s School of Dental Medicine 2025 PUBLICATIONS

• Saghiri, M.A., Momeni, K., Chien, C.H., Conte, M., Pinnaka, P. and Morgano, S.M., 2025. Diabetes Increases Residual Stress and Microcrack Length in Dentin: An XRD–SEM Study with AI-assisted Quantification. Journal of Endodontics.

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