ESTEBAN C. LOETZ

Iterator Innovator | Data Democratist

Mission Statement

To apply a scientific mindset to data analytics by leveraging Python, SQL, and Excel, complemented by data visualization tools like Tableau and Streamlit. Fueled by a passion for problem-solving (and coffee), I excel at identifying patterns in complex data and transforming them into intelligent strategies.

Bachelor of Arts

• University of Colorado - Boulder | 2012
• Major: Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology

Certifications

• Google Data Analytics Professional Certification - Coursera
• Responsive Web Design - FreeCodeCamp
• Data Analysis with Python - FreeCodeCamp

Courses

• Learn Python 2 - Codecademy
• Principles of Data Literacy - Codecademy
• Getting Started with Python for Data Science - Codecademy
• Intro to Data Visualization with Python - Codecademy
• Python for Data Science: Working with Data - Codecademy
• Intro to SQL - Codecademy
• Learn SQL - Codecademy
• Probability - Codecademy
• Linear Algebra - Codecademy

Data Analysis

• Graphically display data results. Run statistical analysis to find significant group differences. These include but are not limited to scatterplots, bar charts and pie charts with and without standard error of the mean values. Created Python programs to compile and analyze thousands of MS Excel data cells. Also, programs to extract text file data and convert this data into analyzable MS Excel datasheets. Created sharable desktop and mobile applications for specific data collection and laboratory calculations.

Leadership

• Keen to train undergraduate students, fellow professional researchers and post-doctoral fellows. Provide guidance for professional conduct to students that have no prior professional experiences. Coordinate collaborative scientific projects and timelines to meet research goals.

Management

• Partner with numerous Principal Investigators simultaneously. Managing different projects and leading their respective teams toward experimental objectives on different timelines. These experimental endeavors were accomplished while managing inventory and regulatory compliance.

Communication

• Oral presentation of research findings to colleagues, peers as well as the public. Presented at numerous neuroscience conventions, including the Society for Neuroscience. Co-author peer reviewed scientific papers across a variety of scientific domains.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

University of Colorado Boulder

Institute for Behavioral Genetics

2003 - 2012

• Evaluated behaviors through a battery of testing procedures.
• Quantified nicotinic receptor differences in mouse neural tissue.
• Cross bred genetically engineered mice to abtain novel strains.
• Characterized genetically engineered mouse phenotypes through behavioral testing.
• Treated subjects with compounds of interest, for hypothesis testing.
• Collected tissue samples for molecular analysis in a regulated pathogen free facility.

- Supervisor: Michael J. Marks Ph.D.

Professional Research Assistant

University of Colorado Boulder

Institute for Behavioral Genetics

2012 - 2015

• Responsible for determining genotypes using PCR, gel electrophoresis, and molecular imaging techniques.
• Continually managed, updated, troubleshooted, and resolved problems with a multi-lab animal database. Database management included a self-directed census.
• Gained experience in animal surgical techniques to collect sperm and eggs for the cryogenic preservation of genetically unique mouse strains.
• Became expert in cryostat operation for the sectioning and mounting of mouse brain tissue slices.

- Supervisor: Michael J. Marks Ph.D.

Professional Research Assistant

University of Colorado Denver

Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratories

2015 - 2024

• Developed a novel social fear conditioning test modeling social aspects of anxiety.
• Launched a novel optogenetic protocol and experimental design at the lab.
• Pioneered chemogenetics at the University of Colorado Denver Downtown campus.
• Operate precision equipment including micro dialysis sampling, optogenetic laser systems, and stereotaxic surgical frames.
• Self-taught Med Associate operant behavior box functions using MedState computer code to control operant drug schedules and responding. This included data output collection and storage.
• Learned the Python programming language to automate data analysis tasks and present findings graphically. Used Python to create programs for lab members to proof calculations and accelerate experimental output for non-technical users by development of graphical user interfaces.
• Presented our laboratory findings at neuroscience conferences.
• Co-authored publications in numerous peer reviewed scientific journals.

- Supervisor: Benjamin N. Greenwood Ph.D