Ruby Hernandez, Ph.D., M.S., (she/her/ella) is a mixed-method researcher with over 10 years of experience conducting research on original and client-based projects. Ruby has dedicated her research skills and learning to understanding and addressing issues that could improve community well-being. She uses strength-based frameworks focusing on resiliency to uncover resources marginalized populations cultivate to survive and thrive. 

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Ruby's mixed method background includes designing, analyzing, and implementing both qualitative and quantitative studies. Her qualitative experience encompasses a variety of skills, including protocol development, conducting, and facilitating interviews, and focus groups in-person and virtually. She has led participatory action research with young adult undergraduate students and conducted field research and observational studies via ethnography of high school and undergraduate students. Ruby has conducted qualitative data analysis using different programs ranging from accessible software like Microsoft Word and Excel to advanced statistical qualitative analysis software such as MAXQDA. 

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In addition, Ruby has experience with survey design and analysis, utilizing survey development software such as Qualtrics, and using validated scales and question creation for closed and open-ended questions. She also has experience cleaning data with Excel and analyzing data with statistical software like SPSS. She has instructed undergraduate-level courses, where she taught research methodology and presented and led workshops on conducting literature reviews, interviews, surveys, qualitative data coding, introductory quantitative analysis, and utilizing online survey software. 

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Ruby has collaborated with and served a range of communities. She has worked with ethnic resource centers and campus programs in higher education to evaluate how student services can improve outcomes for historically underrepresented students. She co-developed materials and gathered data with program directors, program managers, and undergraduate students, leading to evidence-based and data-driven changes to programming. Programs she has assisted include those serving community college students, first-generation college students, those who have experienced foster care, homelessness, violence or neglect in their homes, parents or guardians with severe mental illness or substance abuse, forcible removal from their homes due to gender identity or sexual orientation, incarceration, and/or forcible separation from family due to deportation. She has also previously worked with non-profit leadership committees to gather data to inform their strategic planning direction and increase their community impact. 

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Currently residing in Southern California, Ruby spends her personal time with loved ones, consuming narratives via various mediums like films, shows, books, and podcasts, and taking long walks with her dog.