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mleighc - Overview

Hi, I'm Miranda!

I’m a systems-minded data analyst and programmer focused on building scalable, sustainable infrastructure to support research, healthcare, and mission-driven teams. I specialize in workflow automation, data pipelines, and human-centered analytics that make complex operations more efficient and accessible.

With 9+ years of experience across academic research, nonprofit operations, and small business systems, I bring a pragmatic and adaptable approach to data work, balancing structure and flexibility to meet real-world needs. I’m especially passionate about streamlining research processes, automating repetitive tasks, and designing data systems that empower teams to do their best work.

🔧 What I’m Working On

  • PEARL (Participant Engagement and Research Lifecycle): Leading data pipeline and infrastructure development for a HIPAA-compliant research workflow platform at the University of Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Integrating REDCap, SharePoint Lists, Power Automate, and R to streamline participant tracking and reduce manual processes.

  • Analytics Engineering Practice Project: Designing a reproducible analytics engineering workflow using dbt, PostgreSQL, and open datasets to demonstrate modular data transformation pipelines. (Repo coming soon!)

  • Open Science Website (Data Core @ Michigan ADRC): Building a public-facing site using Quarto and GitHub Pages to share research outputs, data dictionaries, and analytic tools from the Data Management & Statistical Core. Focused on transparency, accessibility, and sustainability for long-term research collaboration.

  • REDCap + R Automation Toolkit: Developing internal tools to automate data archiving, REDCap API integration, and documentation processes using R and Task Scheduler. Aims to support reproducible workflows and reduce friction for research staff.

🛠 Technical Toolkit

  • Core Stack: Python (pandas, numpy, requests), R (tidyverse), SQL, dbt (self-teaching)
  • Automation: Power Automate, Bash/Zsh scripting, Windows Task Scheduler
  • Data Platforms: PostgreSQL, MySQL, REDCap (clinical), REST APIs, Salesforce
  • Version Control: Git, GitHub, GitLab
  • Visualization: Power BI, Tableau, Altair, Quarto
  • Process Design: Workflow documentation, cross-functional collaboration, ETL

🌱 Aspirations

I’m transitioning into analytics engineering and data infrastructure work where I can use my skills in automation, reproducible workflows, and data integration at scale. I'm especially drawn to roles that combine hands-on programming with systems thinking, in service of mission-driven organizations or high-impact research teams.

📬 Connect