Megan Riel-Mehan
@meganriel-mehan
I build interactive visualization tools that make complex scientific and civic data meaningful.
United StatesWhat I'm looking for
At the Allen Institute for Cell Science, I build end-to-end tools that make datasets and models usable for scientists, researchers, students, and the public. I led CellPack’s move from a Python 2 plugin to a standalone Python 3 package and service, and built visualization products including Simularium, Cell Feature Explorer, Simularium Learn, and IMSC.
I also built the first Town Hall Project site and led 4–5 volunteer developers as it grew into a national civic-data platform used by 100,000 people in its first months. Across scientific research and civic technology, I combine full-stack engineering, data visualization, chemistry, and fine art to help people explore complex systems directly.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Builds tools to make the Institute's datasets and models usable, accessible, and interpretable for internal scientists and external researchers, students, and the public. Owns products end to end, from scoping with scientists to architecture, implementation, and iteration.
Freelance Software Engineer and Animator
Riel-Mehan Media
Feb 2013 - Present (13 years 7 months)
Built web applications and scientific animations for progressive civic organizations and research institutions, including Indivisible, SEIU, Strike With Us, and academic clients.
Lead Developer
Town Hall Project
Jan 2017 - Dec 2021 (4 years 11 months)
Built the technical foundation for a national civic data project tracking public town halls held by members of Congress. Led a team of 4-5 volunteer developers and grew the project from a shared Google doc into a real platform.
Worked to visualize data collected on a state-of-the-art microscope to better understand cell motility.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
University of California, San Francisco
Ph.D., Chemistry & Chemical Biology
Ph.D. in Chemistry & Chemical Biology from the University of California, San Francisco.
University of California, Berkeley
B.S. and B.A., Chemical Biology and Fine Art
B.S. in Chemical Biology and B.A. in Fine Art from the University of California, Berkeley.
Code Fellows
Certificate, Full-Stack JavaScript
Certificate in Advanced Software Development in Full-Stack JavaScript from Code Fellows, Seattle.
Availability
Location
United StatesAuthorized to work in
Website
meganrielmehan.comPortfolio
meganrm.github.io/portfolioSalary expectations
Social media
Job categories
Skills
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