HSLS Data Scientist Alexis Cenname has been recognized with the PAIR Professionalism Accolade from the Associate Dean for the Learning Environment, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, for her exceptional teaching in MSTP 5973—the seven-week summer course for Pitt’s Medical Scientist Training Program students.
This year’s class focused on the All of Us Research Program (AoU) data analysis with hands-on labs in R and Python. Alexis led the programming sessions, helping trainees develop research-ready notebooks and pipelines customized for AoU datasets—covering data wrangling, visualization, reproducible workflows, and transparent reporting.
Throughout the course, Alexis guided MD-PhD trainees through practical, research-ready skills—emphasizing clear reasoning, clean code, and reproducible research practices. Students noted her approachable style, real-world examples, and steady support as they navigated modern data tasks that bridged the bench and the clinic.
” Alexis has been incredibly helpful in teaching multiple medical students how to navigate the All of Us dataset. She consistently went above and beyond, often volunteering her own time outside of class to walk students through various coding analyses, especially for those who were new to coding. In addition, Alexis took the initiative to help medical students learn how to create cohorts and manage a complex dataset, making a significant difference in their learning experience. Her willingness to go above and beyond in supporting others truly exemplifies what sets her apart as a TA and educator. Alexis’s dedication, patience, and generosity have made her a valuable member of the Pitt Med community, and she has had a lasting positive impact on both her students and colleagues.”
~Testimonial from a medical student and former learner in one of Alexis’s classes
The accolade underscores Alexis’s ability to meet learners at their current skill level while elevating standards of rigor. It also reflects HSLS’s commitment to collaborative training that equips future physician-scientists with the tools to analyze data confidently and communicate results transparently.
Congratulations, Alexis! Your leadership strengthens MSTP 5973 and advances HSLS’s mission to empower Pitt researchers with skills that matter.