Paulina Rodriguez

Welcome to my personal website! I’m a computational scientist with a passion for the credibility and reproducibility of computational evidence.

My journey to become a computational scientist has been non-traditional and far from linear, beginning with my roots in downtown Los Angeles and leading up to my current position as a PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The George Washington University. As a first-generation college student, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, followed by a Master of Science in Mathematics from Claremont Graduate University. During my undergraduate years, I had the opportunity to explore mathematical modeling research through undergraduate STEM programs, where I discovered my love for computational modeling.

In my role as a program manager for the CalTeach Program at UCSC and a web developer for a startup company, I gained valuable experience in web and software development, coding, and programming skills. Later, at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), I integrated all of my experiences to assess the credibility of computational evidence for regulatory applications related to medical devices. My current research focus is developing an end-to-end example of a regulatory grade computational model for medical device applications with an emphasis on risk informed credibility and reproducibility.

As a third-year fellow of the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF), I am exploring the intersection between High-Performance Computing, risk-informed credibility, reproducibility, and open-source software. I have had the opportunity to perform two summer practicums at the Sandia National Laboratories where I gained training in Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification methods with a focus on using high-performance computing. I focused on a multi-metric approach for small sample datasets.

In my free time, I enjoy reading and learning about new topics, especially in the areas of science and technology. I’m also passionate about giving back to my community and have volunteered with several organizations, including the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans. I believe that everyone should have access to education and opportunities to pursue their dreams, no matter their background or circumstances.

If you’re interested in learning more about my work or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me. I’m always happy to share my experiences and insights with others who are passionate about computational science and its potential to make a positive impact on society. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me!