Incoming Medical Student with expertise in STEM and Project Management

Lauren M.

College Counseling

My Journey as a College Counseling Tutor My journey as a college counseling tutor began with my own path to higher education. As an incoming medical student, I understand firsthand the challenges students face when navigating college admissions, scholarships, graduate school applications, and professional programs. I didn’t come from a privileged background, and I had to learn how to advocate for myself, find opportunities, and maximize my potential despite systemic barriers. Now, I use that knowledge to help others do the same. Over the years, I have counseled hundreds of students at all levels of higher education, including high school students preparing for college, undergraduates applying to graduate programs, and professionals seeking medical school, law school, or other advanced degrees. Specifically, I have worked with students applying to community colleges, four-year universities, master’s programs, medical schools, Ph.D. programs, and other professional degrees. My expertise spans college essays, personal statements, interview preparation, financial aid strategies, and career advising. My approach is highly individualized, focusing on each student’s unique strengths, background, and goals. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all method; instead, I tailor my guidance based on their aspirations, challenges, and personal stories. I emphasize storytelling, strategic planning, and highlighting the resilience and achievements that set each applicant apart. I also focus on mindset, confidence-building, and breaking down complex applications into manageable steps. This approach has proven successful, leading to drastic improvements in my students’ outcomes. Many have gained acceptance into competitive programs, secured substantial scholarships, and discovered academic and career paths they never thought possible. I have worked with students who started with weak applications and transformed them into compelling narratives that resonated with admissions committees. Some of my students have seen significant in

Computer Science

With years of experience managing IT healthcare projects and a degree in Information Technology, I bring a unique and highly technical approach to tutoring in computer science. My background in healthcare IT project management has given me extensive expertise in software development, data management, cybersecurity, and system optimization—all of which translate seamlessly into my ability to teach both theoretical and practical computing concepts. Having managed complex healthcare IT initiatives, I am well-versed in software development life cycles (SDLC), database management, and cloud computing, ensuring that my students not only understand programming but also the real-world applications of IT systems. My experience in healthcare IT project management has involved leading cross-functional teams, implementing electronic health record (EHR) systems, and overseeing AI-driven analytics platforms, all of which reinforce my ability to teach high-level computational thinking, database architecture, and security protocols. In my tutoring, I integrate real-world industry applications into lessons, offering students practical insights into how computer science is used in fields like healthcare, finance, and artificial intelligence. My expertise extends across multiple programming languages, including Python, Java, C++, and SQL, as well as advanced topics such as machine learning, cybersecurity, and enterprise software development. Beyond coding, my project management experience (PMP, CSM-certified) enables me to teach students about systems thinking, IT infrastructure, and strategic planning in software engineering. This ensures that my students not only develop strong technical skills but also understand how technology drives business decisions and innovation. With a student-centered, structured, and application-driven approach, I empower students to grasp computer science from both an academic and professional perspective, preparing them for exams, technical careers, and leadership roles in the tech industry.

COOP/HSPT

As a tutor, I have provided structured and results-driven preparation for both the Cooperative Admissions Examination (COOP) and the High School Placement Test (HSPT), helping students excel in their Catholic high school entrance exams. With a strong foundation in reading, mathematics, and language instruction, I have designed customized study plans that address the core competencies required for each exam while ensuring that students build confidence and test-taking strategies. For the COOP, which assesses students across 10 units covering reading, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling, I have developed a targeted curriculum that strengthens these essential skills through practice drills, timed assessments, and personalized feedback. I have worked with eighth-grade students preparing for the exam in October and November, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the test’s structure and question formats. For the HSPT, which consists of 298 multiple-choice questions testing reading, mathematics, and language, I have implemented data-driven instruction that hones problem-solving techniques and critical thinking. My students have benefited from one-on-one tutoring, structured review sessions, and simulated practice tests that mimic real exam conditions. Given that the HSPT is offered year-round, I have provided flexible tutoring schedules to accommodate students preparing for both the fall and spring administrations. In addition to content mastery, I emphasize test-taking strategies, helping students improve time management, question analysis, and elimination techniques to maximize their scores. Through my experience in standardized test preparation, I have successfully guided students to achieve competitive scores, boosting their chances of admission to top Catholic high schools. With a comprehensive, adaptive, and student-centered approach, I have helped students approach the COOP and HSPT with confidence, ensuring they reach their full academic potential.

Data Science

Data science is a powerful field that integrates statistics, programming, and analytical reasoning to uncover meaningful patterns in data. With a background in information technology, psychology, neuroscience, and public administration, as well as experience managing AI-driven research initiatives and multimillion-dollar IT projects, I bring an interdisciplinary approach to data science instruction. I have taught data science at the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Aurora, helping students develop skills in data analysis, machine learning, predictive modeling, and data visualization. My experience extends beyond the classroom, as I have applied data science methodologies to clinical research, neuroscience, psychology, and healthcare policy, using advanced analytics to drive decision-making in real-world scenarios. My research experience further strengthens my expertise in data science. I have worked extensively with large-scale datasets in clinical trials, neuroscience research, and psychiatric studies, applying machine learning models, statistical analyses, and predictive algorithms to identify patterns in mental health disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and patient outcomes. My work has involved natural language processing (NLP) for medical records, AI-driven diagnostics, and computational modeling of biological systems, demonstrating the real-world applications of data science in healthcare. I guide students through essential tools and programming languages such as Python, R, SQL, and Excel, teaching them how to clean, process, and analyze large datasets efficiently. By bridging theory with hands-on application, I equip students with the skills needed for academic research, industry roles, and careers in data science, AI, and analytics across multiple fields.

Discrete Math

Finite mathematics is a practical and applied branch of mathematics that plays a crucial role in business, economics, computer science, and the social sciences. I have taught finite mathematics for several years at the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Aurora, helping students develop both computational proficiency and real-world problem-solving skills. My instruction covers essential topics such as linear algebra, matrices, set theory, probability, logic, and mathematical modeling, ensuring students not only understand theoretical concepts but also see their applications in optimization, financial mathematics, and statistical analysis. By breaking down complex topics into clear, logical steps and reinforcing learning with applied examples, I make finite mathematics more accessible and engaging. Success in finite mathematics requires more than memorization—it demands critical thinking, pattern recognition, and analytical reasoning. I emphasize strategic problem-solving techniques, guiding students through advanced topics like Markov chains, game theory, and linear programming while tailoring instruction to different learning styles. My experience in teaching at both university and community college levels allows me to adapt my approach to students with diverse academic backgrounds, ensuring they gain both confidence and competence in finite mathematics.

Information Technology

A solid foundation in information technology fundamentals, combined with hands-on AI deployment and certified project management expertise, enables me to tutor machine learning and artificial intelligence topics from the ground up through production operations. Technical depth grounded in an IT degree My B.S. in Information Technology trained me to reason about data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and network architecture—the substrate on which every machine-learning application ultimately runs. When a student is puzzled by why an LSTM’s hidden-state matrix explodes in size or why PyTorch’s `DataLoader` stalls on a spinning drive, I can trace the issue to cache misses, thread contention, or I/O throughput and show the exact code or hardware tweak that resolves it. That engineering fluency turns abstract model diagrams into concrete, working programs. Real-world AI implementation experience At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and later at UC Irvine’s College of Medicine, I managed multimillion-dollar, AI-enhanced clinical trials that streamed physiologic, behavioral, and genomic data to predictive models in real-time. Those projects required end-to-end pipelines: ingesting raw data with ETL jobs, validating it against HIPAA constraints, training it for gradient-boosted decision trees or convolutional neural networks, and containerizing the models behind RESTful endpoints for clinicians. The result is a library of stories—successes and near misses—that I use to illuminate topics such as concept drift, data governance bottlenecks, bias audits, and post-deployment monitoring. Breadth across the machine-learning spectrum I coach students through supervised algorithms (linear and logistic regression, decision trees, random forests, gradient boosting with XGBoost and LightGBM, SVMs with RBF or polynomial kernels, and k-nearest neighbors) while emphasizing loss functions, regularization, and the bias-variance trade-off. We explore unsupervised methods, including k-means, Gaussian mixtur

Machine Learning/ AI

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, which grounded me in the algorithms, data structures, and systems architecture that support modern machine-learning workflows. Professionally, I directed AI-enhanced clinical trials at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and UC Irvine’s College of Medicine, where I built and maintained Python-based pipelines that streamed real-time physiologic and behavioral data into predictive models deployed behind secure REST APIs. My hands-on experience with scikit-learn, PyTorch, MLflow, and containerized MLOps means I can guide students from data wrangling and feature engineering through model training, hyper-parameter tuning, and production monitoring. As a PMP- and CSM-certified project manager I transform complex machine-learning topics into clear, goal-oriented learning plans, using agile techniques to track progress and adapt to each student’s pace. Over five years of tutoring in statistics, programming, and research methods have refined my ability to explain back-propagation, bias–variance trade-offs, gradient boosting, and transformer attention in plain language while demonstrating the code live. This combination of technical depth, real-world AI deployment, and structured pedagogy equips my students to master machine-learning theory and apply it responsibly in academic projects or industry settings.

Microsoft Outlook

To effectively tutor Microsoft Outlook, a tutor must have a thorough understanding of its features and functionality, hands-on experience using the platform in professional or academic settings, and the ability to adapt instruction to suit a range of learners. I bring all these qualifications and more to the table. Having used Microsoft Outlook extensively throughout my career in academic and professional roles, I am well-versed in its features, including managing emails, scheduling meetings and appointments, creating and organizing calendars, using tasks and to-do lists, and customizing settings for efficiency. My work as a Clinical Research Project Manager required me to coordinate multiple projects, manage communications, and maintain organized schedules using Outlook, ensuring all stakeholders stayed informed and on track. Additionally, my role in public administration involved high-level calendar management, email communication with diverse teams, and task prioritization—all of which were streamlined through Outlook. Beyond my professional experience, I am adept at effectively teaching others how to use Outlook. I've helped colleagues and students navigate the platform, teaching everything from basic email setup to advanced features like rules and filters, shared calendars, and integration with other Microsoft Office applications. My teaching style is patient and tailored to the learner’s skill level, ensuring they understand how to use Outlook and customize it to meet their needs. My academic achievements, including a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Master of Public Administration, further demonstrate my ability to grasp complex systems and communicate them effectively to others. These qualifications, combined with my technical proficiency and commitment to helping others develop practical skills, make me an excellent candidate to tutor Microsoft Outlook. I aim to empower my students to use this essential tool confidently and efficiently, whether for personal productivity or professional succes

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is a powerful tool for project planning, scheduling, resource management, and workflow optimization, and my experience managing multimillion-dollar IT projects, clinical trials, and AI-driven research initiatives has made me highly proficient in its use. As a PMP and CSM-certified professional, I have used Microsoft Project extensively to develop Gantt charts, track project timelines, manage budgets, allocate resources, and oversee risk assessments across a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, and government operations. My ability to integrate Microsoft Project with other tools such as Excel, Power BI, and SharePoint allows for streamlined data visualization and reporting, ensuring that stakeholders can make informed decisions based on real-time project insights. Having led large-scale projects in clinical research, IT infrastructure, and AI/machine learning, I understand the importance of precision, collaboration, and scalability in project management. I train professionals in using Microsoft Project for task automation, critical path analysis, dependency tracking, and milestone management, ensuring that teams stay on track and optimize productivity. Whether managing regulatory-compliant clinical trials, state government initiatives, or technology deployments, my expertise in Microsoft Project’s advanced features—such as resource leveling, earned value analysis (EVA), and portfolio management—ensures that projects are executed efficiently, on time, and within budget.

Project Management

I have 10 years of experience managing IT projects and clinical trials using waterfall and agile methodologies. In the IT field, I have managed teams of up to 28, including software developers and engineers. I can assist with project management strategies in the workplace and PMP Certification preparation.

Psychology

Exploring the Relationship Between Maladaptive Daydreaming and Adverse Childhood Experiences Graduate Student Journal of Psychology 2024-12-16 | Journal article DOI: 10.52214/gsjp.v23i.12525 Examining Coping Skills, Anxiety, and Depression Dynamics Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic Graduate Student Journal of Psychology 2024-04-24 | Journal article DOI: 10.52214/gsjp.v22i1.12260 Associations Between Cannabis, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia in Adolescents Academic Leadership Journal in Student Research Journal article DOI: 10.58809/dbkn1868

Spelling

I have tutored dozens of students in spelling, two of which are spelling bee champs!

SPSS

I have extensive experience using SPSS for data analysis, with three first-author publications that showcase my ability to leverage the software for meaningful research. My proficiency with SPSS extends beyond basic statistical tests—I have used it for advanced data modeling, multivariate analysis, regression techniques, and hypothesis testing. Whether analyzing clinical trial data, conducting epidemiological research, or exploring neuroscience and behavioral health patterns, I have demonstrated the ability to clean, organize, and interpret complex datasets efficiently. Key Strengths in SPSS: 1. Statistical Mastery • Conducting descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, frequency distributions) to summarize data effectively. • Running inferential analyses (t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square tests, correlation, and regression) to draw meaningful conclusions. • Utilizing non-parametric tests when data do not meet traditional assumptions. 2. Data Management & Cleaning • Handling large datasets with multiple variables, ensuring accuracy through rigorous data cleaning procedures. • Merging and restructuring data files to improve analysis efficiency. • Managing missing data and applying appropriate imputation techniques. 3. Advanced Modeling & Research Applications • Implementing linear and logistic regression models to assess predictors of health outcomes. • Conducting factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) to explore latent variables. • Applying survival analysis techniques for clinical research. • Using repeated measures ANOVA and mixed models for longitudinal studies. 4. Clinical & Public Health Research Experience • My background in clinical research, neuroscience, and public administration has allowed me to use SPSS in diverse applications, from analyzing patient behaviors to evaluating policy interventions. • My ability to interpret results clearly and translate statistical findings into actionable insights has been crucial in my research contributions. 5. Da