Joanna Salerno

In her new role as a Data Scientist, Joanna Salerno will provide comprehensive support across QCIF’s diverse research projects. By consulting with researchers to understand their specific needs, she will deliver tailored data science support to advance their work.

Previously, Joanna was a data science trainer at QCIF, where she delivered workshops designed to help researchers upskill in areas such as programming, statistical analysis, data management, and research communication. While her role has expanded, she will continue to contribute to QCIF’s extensive training program.

Joanna’s journey into data science began during her undergraduate studies in psychology, where she developed an interest in data analysis while studying memory and aging. She later worked as a research assistant at The Ohio State University and Duke University, managing projects focused on understanding how mindfulness meditation impacts cognition, and how memory and decision-making processes change across the lifespan. These experiences inspired her to pursue a Master of Data Analytics at Queensland University of Technology, blending her research and psychology background with technical capabilities.

Mentorship has been a key part of Joanna’s journey, and she remains committed to supporting others in their research, programming, and data science development. She is passionate about using data to uncover insights, tell meaningful stories, and foster innovation and impactful change across various fields.

Research interests

• Data modelling and analysis

• Data visualisation

• Machine learning

• Research design, development, and infrastructure

Qualifications

• Master of Science in Data Analytics, majoring in Computational Data Science, Queensland University of Technology (Australia), 2024

• Certified Carpentries Instructor, The Carpentries Instructor Training Program, 2023

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Elon University (USA), 2018