Curriculum Developer & Instructional Designer · Iowa City, IA

Translating technical material into clear instruction.

I'm Patricia Kamau. I bring 9+ years of experience designing science learning experiences and 10+ years of scientific research to learning projects in the life sciences.

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9+Years designing learning
10+Years scientific research
45Learners taught per year
153Research participants analyzed
About

Science educator and life-sciences researcher.

I specialize in translating technical material into clear instruction, mentoring learners through research projects, and coordinating classroom and programmatic learning activities.

My background spans from high school science program coordination to postdoctoral research fellowships. I bring a foundation in scientific writing, documentation, and research methods to every learning project I undertake.

Technical Translation

Skilled at turning complex scientific concepts into accessible lesson plans and laboratory instructions.

Program Coordination

Experienced in managing logistics, documentation, and stakeholder communication for cross-disciplinary events.

Research Mentorship

Proven track record of guiding learners through independent research, final papers, and peer presentations.

Selected work

Instructional & Research Projects

A selection of projects spanning curriculum design, public health research, and scientific optimization.

Ashley Hall · 2016-2026

Science Program Coordination & Mentorship

Challenge
Managing complex science learning experiences for about 45 learners a year across three courses and interdisciplinary programs.
Solution
Designed chemistry lesson plans, coordinated a 9-day interdisciplinary travel program in Italy, and mentored 11 twelfth-grade learners through year-long research.
Impact11Twelfth-grade learners mentored through a year-long independent research course
Emory University · 2013-2015

Environmental Health Study Coordination

Challenge
Ensuring participant retention and data integrity for a complex three-month environmental health study.
Solution
Onboarded 28 participants, managed daily diary completion and sample collection, and analyzed data from 153 participants using SAS.
Impact153Participants analyzed for MPH thesis on PBB exposure
CDC · 2014-2015

Emergency Preparedness Training Research

Challenge
Identifying gaps in training programs serving Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and older-adult communities.
Solution
Conducted a literature review of 15 publications and interviewed 22 subject-matter experts to synthesize training recommendations.
Impact1Peer-reviewed publication resulting from gap analysis
Experience

Professional History

August 2016 – July 2026

High School Teacher | Program Coordination & Research Mentorship

Ashley Hall · Charleston, SC
  • Coordinated science programs, cross-disciplinary events, and student research while managing logistics, documentation, and stakeholder communication.
  • Designed and delivered chemistry and other science learning experiences, creating lesson plans, presentations, and laboratory instructions for approximately 45 learners per year across three courses.
  • Served as co-advisor to the school's first student-founded Black Student Union, providing guidance and a supportive sounding board for six consistent student members over two years; documented meeting minutes as needed and coordinated events in partnership with student leaders for Black History Month.
  • Served as science co-advisor and chaperone for a 9-day interdisciplinary travel program in Italy, collaborating with three teachers to guide 15 students' science-related projects and support student safety and well-being throughout site-based activities.
  • Co-advised students enrolled in online partner-school courses by reviewing student and parent inquiry forms, collaborating on application decisions, coordinating enrollment and billing, monitoring course participation and progress, and serving as one of two school liaisons for attendance, performance, and student-support concerns.
  • Coordinated chemical waste-disposal operations by inventorying lab waste, surveying faculty to identify needs, and vetting 2 external vendors to secure service quotes.
  • Mentored and coached 11 twelfth-grade learners alongside two colleagues in a year-long independent research course, guiding them through final papers, a community outreach project, and presentations to peers in grades 9-12. Collaborated with a 5th-grade science teacher twice-once in each academic year-to organize hands-on laboratory sessions in which approximately 15 tenth-grade students facilitated learning for approximately 20 fifth-grade students.
June 2013 – August 2015

Research Assistant (MPH Program)

Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University · Atlanta, GA
  • Onboarded and trained 28 participants for a three-month environmental health study, guiding daily menstrual-pattern and lifestyle diary completion and urine-sample collection; maintained ongoing participant support to promote retention and completion of the study protocol.
  • Entered primary data into an Access research database and delivered weekly progress updates to a 5-person research team, tracking deliverables and open issues.
  • Analyzed questionnaire and clinical laboratory data from 153 male participants aged 18-56 using SAS, producing a Master of Public Health thesis on the effects of environmental pollutant (PBB) exposure on hormone levels.
May 2014 – February 2015

Public Health Intern (MPH Program)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Conducted a literature review identifying 15 publications from a 5-database search that focused on emergency-preparedness training programs serving Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and older-adult communities.
  • Interviewed 22 subject-matter experts via email and telephone survey and synthesized findings into 4 themes of expert recommendations to improve training.
  • Identified key gaps and success factors by comparing literature and expert-interview data, resulting in a peer-reviewed publication.
September 2009 – August 2011

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Michigan School of Public Health · Iowa City, IA
  • Optimized and documented standard operating procedures for primary placental cell isolation, culture, and pollutant-induced gene-expression testing, resulting in 3 scientific posters and 3 peer-reviewed publications.
  • Supervised 2 undergraduate and 3 graduate students in laboratory procedures and facilitated meetings to troubleshoot experiments.
  • Delivered guest lectures to an undergraduate course (~70 students) and a graduate class (~50 students) and facilitated discussion sections in an environmental science course.
January 2006 – July 2009

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Iowa Molecular and Cellular Biology PhD Program · Iowa City, IA
  • Optimized and documented standard operating procedures and executed experiments to isolate and culture mouse lung fibroblasts and distinguish cell types using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, resulting in a completed doctoral thesis and 2 peer-reviewed publications.
Skills & credentials

Expertise & Education

Core skills

Cross-Functional CollaborationProblem-solvingProject CoordinationStakeholder CommunicationDeliverable TrackingMeeting Agendas & MinutesDocumentation & Support MaterialsMulti-Tasking

Tools

Microsoft OfficeGoogle Workspace for EducationPowerPointSAS (statistical analysis)Microsoft AccessBlackbaud LMS

Education

  • Master of Public Health | Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory UniversityJuly 2015
  • Doctor of Philosophy | Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of IowaJuly 2009
  • Doctoral Student | Structural and Cellular Biology PhD Program, Tulane UniversityTransferred to University of IowaDecember 2005
  • Master of Science | Chemistry, Tulane UniversityDecember 2001
  • Bachelor of Science | Chemistry, Xavier UniversityMay 1998

Awards & Memberships

  • 2019 Ashley Hall Dana Mobley Award (Math and Science Department) | RecipientJanuary 2019
  • American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) | Member.
Contact

Let's connect.

Looking for an instructional designer with a deep scientific background? Open to curriculum development and instructional design roles, including remote.

inlinkedin.com/in/patriciakamau
@patricia.kamau@gmail.com
IAIowa City, IA
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