Priscila
Lopez-Beltran, Ph.D.
PROJECT MANAGER
–Researcher & Data Analyst–
About Me
Dedicated Project Manager with over 7 years of experience in research and
industry settings capable of successfully overseeing project execution at all stages and ensuring that requirements are met timely in fast-paced environments.
I am currently a Research Project Manager at the Pennsylvania State University.
Throughout my career, I have overseen numerous complex projects that involve collaborative partnerships and require careful management of time and resources to ensure that milestones and deliverables are completed on schedule and within budget. Thanks to a unique blend of business and academic experience, I am able to combine complementary research and management techniques to maximize efficiency concept to implementation, and to guarantee the satisfaction of stakeholders, clients and customers:
- Research-backed Strategy: from research to development, I monitor and evaluate behavior, transforming it into actionable insights.
- Agile Framework: whether conceptualizing a new project or working on an existing one, I use Scrum Sprints to iterate engaging ideas and prioritize incremental development.
I am particularly interested in translational initiatives that increase synergy between academia and industry for transformative social impact.
Data Analysis
career story
Research Project Manager
I am responsible for overseeing the delivery of major research by initiating, developing and coordinating multidisciplinary projects from concept to implementation in collaboration with the PI. The lab has several multi-site projects that are carried out in collaboration with national and international research partners, so some of my main duties entail monitoring, controlling and evaluating of ongoing projects, as well as liaising with research and operations staff to ensure workstreams are kept on track.
For instance, I worked together with PIs from universities in Mexico, Puerto Rico an Spain to coordinate three research projects to be conducted by students during Summer 2023. Crucially, I conducted detailed resource identification for these projects based on pre-established budgets, benchmarks, and key deliverables. All initiatives were successfully carried out and data will be disseminated at diverse events in 2024.
I am also in charge of developing key metrics to measure the progress of our various projects, for which I utilize advanced quantitative methods to garner real-time project insights, create forecasts, and manage risks. I then produce dynamic, efficient progress reports for our team members, stakeholders and funding agencies.
Administrative Coordinator
During my time at Instituto Cervantes, one of my main responsibilities was to identify and prepare all materials to apply for funding sources that would cover our operational budget and finance our many international cultural events. In my two years there, I helped procure four awards for a total of 35,000 USD approximately. I also wrote post-project reports for funding agencies detailing the outcomes and impact of the project(s) funded.
One of the main events we organized was Cine Magnifico. For the 2021 and 2022 editions, In collaboration with our Director, I was responsible for securing sponsors, creating guest lists, inviting speakers and negotiating contracts with vendors. I also participated in coordinating catering, creating deliverables schedules, and planning venue logistics. Over 3000 people attended these 4-day event which showcased over 20 movies, 5 workshops and 8 talks by distinguished speakers.
In addition, I also carried out bookkeeping and light accounting duties such as processing invoices, making payments, tracking expenses, reconciling bank statements, and monitored cash flow to updated our budgets as necessary. Finally, I coordinated and facilitated meetings, and was involved in the hiring and training of new staff members.
Research Assistant
As a Research Assistant, I managed individual and team projects independently at all levels: conceptualization, design, approval, recruitment, data collection analysis, writing and publication. In particular, I worked with eye-tracking data and implemented complex quantitative data analysis methods to discover trends and report clearly interpretable results and their broader impacts.
In order to fund my research and applied for and obtained a renowned National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Award Grant by the U.S.A. Government for 12,000 USD.
Finally, Designed and taught workshops dedicated to experimental design and statistical analysis at the postgraduate graduate level, as well as participated in, and helped organize, community outreach and engagement activities including seminars and talks at events with diverse audiences.
The Pennsylvania State University
2021-Present
Pennsylvania, US
Manage international multi-site research projects on language processing in bilingual populations at the BrainTracking Lab.
Instituto Cervantes
2020-2021
Albuquerque, US
Instituto Cervantes is a worldwide non-profit organization whose mission is to promote Spanish language teaching, and to foster knowledge of the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries throughout the world.
The Pennsylvania State University
2016-2021
Pennsylvania, US
As a Research Assistant and Ph.D. candidate at a major research university, I have been trained to be highly proficient in all aspects of research project management.
skills
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
For the last 7 years I have been responsible for managing both scientific projects in higher education, and cultural projects in non-profit companies.
Collaborating with Principal Investigators and international research partners, I have overseen the delivery of major multidisciplinary research by initiating, developing and coordinating projects from concept to implementation. I have also successfully procured funding resources, both private and governmental, for the organization of large-scale international events and multi-site research initiatives.
As an individual who places strong value on translational work, I am eager to manage more projects where research and business intersect.
Garnering real-time project insights, creating forecasts, and managing risks are key to increase project impact. In my professional career, I have acquired extensive expertise in using complex quantitative data analysis methods to successfully complete milestones and deliverables on time.
I am also keen on implementing advanced statistical techniques to report clearly interpretable results and their broader impacts to diverse audiences such as the general public, funding agencies, sponsors, external partners, stakeholders and senior management.
DATA ANALYSIS
RESEARCH
I am a professional researcher specialized in Psycholinguistics. For all research projects I have conducted, not only did I created the experiments and analyzed the data, I also recruited all participants, administered all experimental tasks to collect data, processed payments, organized research assistants, and managed record keeping and data storage. In addition, I am extensively trained to handle sensitive research equipment. I have travelled with a portable eye-tracking machine to different sites.
I am interested in learning more about neural networks, deep-learning, and artificial intelligence and how it can be applied to produce transformative and impactful research.
SOFTWARE
PROJECTS
As a project manager, my website showcases some of the most exciting and successful projects I've had the privilege of leading.
The two projects featured here have been instrumental in shaping my professional growth because they challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, develop new skills, and grow professionally.
Multisite Collaborative Research
Project I
Translating cognitive and brain science
in the laboratory and field to language learning environments
The goal of this project was bring language science from the laboratory to practice and to integrate field research with laboratory-based experimentation in order to provide unique new data.
This initiative is part of The Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) is grant awarded by the U.S. National Science Foundation whose primary objective is to support high quality projects in which advances could not occur without international collaboration.
Coordinated 3 research projects with a workforce
of over 20 team members and liaised with all international research partners.
Planned resourced to disburse and budgeted over 20,000 USD in funding to for each project and produced al financial reports.
Used complex quantitative data analysis methods
to discover trends and report clearly interpretable results and their broader impacts to stakeholders.
Disseminated findings at various outreach and knowledge exchange events, and in an international newsletter.
Cine Magnifico Latino Film Festival
Project II
Cine Magnifico
Latino Film Festival – 2021
This project brings together the dissemination of Spanish-language culture and audiovisual creation in Spanish, and has given visibility over the years in New Mexico to numerous quality films and short films made in Spain and several Spanish-speaking countries.
The event took place over 4 days in which audiences are be able to enjoy 20 films, plus panel discussions, online conferences open to both academics and the general public.
In addition to the Albuquerque location, a second venue was organized in El Paso in collaboration with Southwest University.
Coordinated activities that took place simultaneously at different locations which required careful supervision and continuous progress updates.
Successfully procured both private and public funding resources for over 35,000 USD, and secured over 10 sponsors for the festival.
Created contracts for 20 vendor and invited speakers, coordinated catering for 300 people, and assisted with venue logistics at 5 different locations in 2 cities.
Produced post-project reports of the outcomes and impact of the initiative and explained how the funds were expended by providing financial documentation.
Portfolios
To have a look at a more samples of my work and skills, click here
Data Analysis
EDUCATION
The Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D.
2016-2021
Pennsylvania, US
Ph.D. in Language Science
Thesis advisor: Dr. Paola Dussias
Universidad de Granada, M.A.
2014-2016
Granada, Spain
Applied Linguistics (English Track).
Thesis advisor: Dr. Cristóbal Lozano
Universidad de Málaga, B.A.
2009-2013
Málaga, Spain
English Studies.
AWARDS
Google Project Management Certificate
2023
Create effective project documentation and artifacts throughout the various phases of a project
Learn the foundations of Agile project management, with a focus on Scrum.
Google Data Analytics Certificate
2019
Developed further in-depth analytical skills (data cleaning, analysis, & visualization) and mastery of analytical tools (spreadsheets, SQL, R programming, Tableau, Power BI).
Deep Learning & Neural Networks
2022
IBM AI Engineering Specialization.
Implemented using Keras API, Tensorflow, PyTorch, and Sickit-Learn.
National Science Foundation
2019
Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Award
BCS-1939903: Heritage speakers processing of the Spanish subjunctive during online comprehension: A pupillometric study.
Python Programming for Everybody
2022
University of Michigan.
Implemented in Jupyter Lab with and emphasis on NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib.
Fulbright Scholarship Award
2016
Awarded to obtain Ph.D. a The Pennsylvania State University.
More
Access GitHub repositories with the materials for workshops I have desgined and taught
Learn more about the Community Outreach initiatives I've contributed to
Management Portfolio
Bellabeat – Scrum Case Study
Managing software development projects is an essential skill in today's technology-driven world, and there is no better tool than Scrum for ensuring that the end product meets the client's needs and expectations, even if those needs change throughout the development process. Scrum is a popular Agile Methodology that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and iterative development. In the context of app development.
This case study showcases how I would use Scrum lead a team tasked
with developing a new features in a mobile app for the healthcare company Bellabeat.
Project Brief
COMPANY
Bellabeat is a wellness brand for women with an range of products that target women’s health.
Data from 2022 show that Bellabeat customers tend to progressively exercise less over a period of three months since they purchase a Bellabeat product. This has led to decreased customer satisfaction and retention rates, negatively impacting the company's yearly revenue.
BACKGROUND
PURPOSE
Develop a multifaceted feedback feature that will help increase customer motivation. We depart from the assumption that more motivated users will exercise with greater consistency and have better health gains in the long run which will, in turn, increase their satisfaction.
Goals
- Promote more consistent use – Customers use the app for a minimum of 20 days for 1 month by the end of Q1 FY24.
- Increase motivation – Customers maintain an exercise streak of at least 4 days a week for one 1 month by the end of Q1 FY24.
- Increase customer satisfaction rates – Review rate increases by one point by the end of FY24.
- Increase customer retention – Retention rate increases by 15% by the end of FY24.
- Increase yearly revenue – Revenue increases by 30% by the end of FY24.
BUDGET
Requirement analysis | $1,500 |
UI/UX-Design | $15,000 |
Software Compatibility & Integration | $8,000 |
Software Development | $25,000 |
Quality assurance | $700 |
Third party APIs | $20,000 |
App maintenance & Hosting | $5,000 |
DELIVERABLES
Feedback feature
Goal tracking feature
Personalized tips feature
Projected total – $68,000
Projected time distribution
50%
Development
10%
Design
20%
Testing
5%
Planning
15%
Launch & Maintenance
TIMELINE
Design Stage
Testing Stage
MARCH
DECEMBER
- Vision , Scope, and User stories – Dec. 1-8
- Storyboards and Wireframes – Dec. 9-12
Development Stage
JANUARY-FEBRUARY
- Wireframing – January
- Prototyping – February
- Regression testing – Mar. 1-10
- Quality testing & assurance – Mar. 10-15
- Beta testing & debugging – Mar. 16-23
- Troubleshooting – Mar. 24-30
Deployment Stage
APRIL
- Pilot launch & Content seeding - Apr. 1-15
Sprint Planning
The team develops the new feature for the app in iterative cycles called Sprints.
Here, I show how I would use Asana to plan a 4-week Sprint to develop
the Feedback feature deliverable for the Bellabeat product.
Sprint Retrospective
Sprint Retrospective is an opportunity for the team to inspect itself and create a plan for improvements to be enacted
during the next Sprint.
Pilot Launch Results
Post-launch data shows that the goals of the Feedback feature project have been meet.
See Tableau Workbook
Goals 2 – Increase use and motivation
Goal – Increase satisfaction rates
Next Steps
Customers are less active between 6-7am and 8-9pm.
This is an ideal moment for Bellabeat to schedule their advertising initiatives to effectively reach its consumers for optimal results.
Increase customer retention
Data Analysis Portfolio
Workshops
Pupillometry for Linguistics
- See JupyterLab + R kernel GitHub repository
- Sample pupillometric data is stored in Git’s LFS server
- You can also open the worksop on Kaggle Notebooks
- Neural Network implemented using Keras
- See JupyterLab + Python3 GitHub repository
Deep Learning Model
Experimental design & Data analysis
- HTML materials in GitHub repository
- Data and R Markdown files available upon request
Outreach
The goal of translational research is to translate (move) basic science discoveries more quickly and efficiently into practice. That is why I believe it is so important to disseminate the results of basic science to communities and institutions beyond academia is key to achieve profound social impact.
As a member of the Center for Language science at Penn State, I have participated in, and helped organize events including:
- Community outreach and engagement activities with diverse audiences: Bilingualism Matters and Science-U
- International knowledge exchange initiatives and newsletters (link)
- Academic panels, gatherings and symposia (PSUxLing and Young Scholars Speaker Series)
