Melanie (Mel) Hernandez

Student Intern

Melanie Hernandez recently earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication Studies from Marquette University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Psychology Data Analytics through Marquette’s accelerated graduate program. As a first-generation college student, her journey has been shaped by a desire to use research and data as tools for meaningful and equitable change. Through her academic and professional experiences, she has developed skills in research, communication, and data analysis while maintaining a strong commitment to equity and community engagement.

During her time at Marquette, she served as a Resident Assistant and a Facilities Manager in the college dorms, as well as a tutor for neurodivergent students on campus. She also worked as a research assistant in the Mental Health Disparities Lab under Dr. Lucas Torres, where she contributed to research focused on mental health in Latino communities in Milwaukee. In these roles, she supported students through community building, mentorship, and engagement initiatives while helping create inclusive and supportive environments. Her own research in graduate school has focused on understanding life expectancy disparities across Milwaukee ZIP codes and how spatial patterns reflect differences in health outcomes across communities.

At Data You Can Use, she is excited to contribute to projects that help organizations make informed decisions and better serve their communities. She is especially interested in community-centered research and equitable data practices, particularly understanding the factors that contribute to poorer health outcomes in disadvantaged neighborhoods and how these patterns overlap spatially.

In her free time, she enjoys biking, skateboarding, writing poetry, and exploring Milwaukee. She is passionate about creativity, storytelling, and finding ways to connect people through both data and community.