Sara Costalas, Mph Email & Phone Number

United States

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States

· Acts as senior-level oversight on qualitative and quantitative studies, collaborating cross-functionally and allocating resources to ensure alignment and to achieve project objectives.· Supervises, coaches, and evaluates mid and senior level research specialist and project management staff.· Consults on department objectives and KPIs, thought leadership initiatives, and research design and execution for proposals and SOWs.· Cultivates and maintains strategic client relationships and consults on ongoing business opportunities.· Participates in employee selection, hiring, onboarding, training, promotions, performance improvement plans, and evaluations.· Analyzes metrics and usage of systems to monitor service risk levels and trends; evaluates overall team performance and efficiency.

Lecture “Optimizing the Impact of Health Communication”- Spring 2024 - Effects of Science, Environmental and Health Media (COM328)- Spring 2024 - Public Health Education Methods (PHS807)- Fall 2024 - Public Health Education Methods (PHS807)

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

- Consulted on health-related research and evaluation quality across portfolios and projects- Set and maintained processes and templates for the Research and Evaluation team- Coached and evaluated team members in skills and competencies - Ensured team members are assigned to appropriate projects based on skill set and interests- Drove thought leadership for the company; grew and further developed research capabilities - Determined approach and level of effort estimates on tasks for proposals and projects - Consulted on health communication project strategy across portfolio, specializing in the day to day coordination of research and evaluation projects- Supervised junior, mid-, and senior-level staff- Oversaw multidisciplinary teams throughout the project lifecycle- Developed project and staffing plans- Ensures project goals are met; deliverables are delivered on time and in budget- Managed portfolio’s subcontracts (e.g., survey platforms, recruiters, and analysis software)

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Research Institute, Lancaster, Pa

Responsibilities included:- Coordinating the IMPLICIT ICC program at eight Family Medicine practices in Eastern PA, helping provider teams improve maternal health screening and intervention rates - Providing technical assistance to Network sites on collection of patient encounter data, through assessment and evaluation of research datasets- Initiating and monitoring quarterly PDSA cycles for research quality improvement- Creating provider and patient-facing educational materials that meet health literacy and readability standards- Providing ongoing editorial and technical support for grants, manuscripts, and scholarly presentations- Contributing to IMPLICIT research projects including a health disparities initiative, a baseline survey study and the 4th trimester pilot program

Community Sciences And Health Outcomes (Csho) Shared Resource

Responsibilities included developing a strategic communications plan for cancer-related community outreach, research, and education; acting as managing editor of the patient navigator digital network (cansun.psu.edu), development and optimization of website and e-newsletter content; managing a multidisciplinary team to research, layout, and write Penn State Hershey’s first interactive, web-based cancer Story Map for central Pennsylvania (redlands.pop.psu.edu/storymap); developing REDCap survey for cancer patient navigators, analyzing response metrics, and compiling final report and recommendations for network improvements

Penn State Desk Pedaling Study

Responsibilities included conducting a pilot research study exploring the feasibility of using compact pedaling devices to increase physical activity in the work place, coordinating a team of student research assistants; screening potential participants for study eligibility criteria; scheduling study sessions; managing the REDCap database, collecting and recording work performance and physical activity data; conducting interviews; assisting with IRB submissions; and assisting with data cleaning, statistical analyses, and manuscript preparation.

Hershey, Pa

Responsibilities included being co-investigator for "Perceptions of StudyFinder Research Recruitment Platform and Use Suggestions in a Rural Pennsylvanian Community" survey; developing benchmarks and best practices for StudyFinder website; developing "9 Strategies to Improve Studyfinder Recruitment" whitepaper; website traffic data and trend analysis; and 1-on-1 consulting with research teams on study description best practices

Hershey, Pa

Grant proposal support for Public Health Department faculty, including literature search and review, technical writing, crowdfunding campaign coordination, etc. Grants completed: Social Sciences Research institute (SSRI) pilot funding for The Penn State Sitting and Health Study, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant for Promoting Physical Activity in Chronic Care Management: A Randomized Trial, Crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for desk pedaling workstation devices for pilot study.

Lancaster, Pa

Responsibilities included diet interpretation, delivery, and support for patients currently receiving treatment at Lancaster General Hospital.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Responsibilities included coordination of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) for the Lancaster location; conducting guided grocery store tours (Share our Strength's Cooking Matters at the Store); assisting WIC Nutritionists and leadership team with client support and education.

Lititz, Pa

Responsibilities included managing technical solution integrations for US and international ecommerce clients; executing a 90 day onboarding plan for new employees that included training on the Listrak application, communication, and management principals; training new clients on purchased solutions; coordinating teams of developers, designers, and account managers to meet budgetary and scope goals; conducting multiple case studies for department-wide quality assurance and process improvement.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania Area

Responsibilities included managing technical solution integrations for US and international ecommerce clients; training new clients on purchased solutions; coordinating teams of developers, designers, and account managers to meet budgetary and scope goals.

Lancaster, Pa

Responsibilities included project management of website design and development for multiple small to medium-size organizations.

Master Of Public Health (Mph), Community And Behavioral Health

Associate Of Arts - Aa, Predietetics

Activities and Societies: Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society

Bachelor Of Arts, Political Science/Sociology