Before joining the I2D2 team as a data scientist in 2021, Gio worked as a data manager and analyst for multi-institutional cross-disciplinary projects involving more than dozen land-grant universities across the Midwest, government institutions and state organizations. Over six years he has curated data from agricultural and environmental studies, and has published two datasets in the National Agricultural Library.
Taylor joined the I2D2 team in early 2023. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from the University of Iowa. With a career background in public health research administration and non-profit management, she brings valuable insights to the I2D2 team as the Program Manager. Taylor guides I2D2 projects from start to finish, ensuring that deliverables are met for project stakeholders.
Christine has collaborated with the I2D2 team since the 2019 Iowa’s Early Childhood Statewide Needs Assessment. Christine’s passion has always been to improve the experiences young children have in group settings and to support the providers teaching and caring for them. Christine has overseen data collection for several projects and collaborates on various analyses and dissemination efforts.
Sharon Zanti joined the I2D2 team in 2024 after receiving her Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania and serving as a Doctoral Fellow at Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP). Sharon’s scholarship is grounded in strong partnership with state and local agencies and the ethical use of integrated administrative data to address pressing social policy issues. Previously, she held multiple research and analytic roles at the Colorado Department of Human Services, earned her MSW from the University of Denver, and spent several years working in the software industry after graduating with a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
In 2022, Fattaneh joined the I2D2 team as a graduate research assistant at Iowa State University. She began her Ph.D. journey in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in Fall 2021. Fattaneh’s research focuses on family and children’s mental health and well-being, community and public health interventions, child and family public policy, and disparities and social determinants of health. Her work includes quantitative analysis, survey development, and contributions to projects such as Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and Early Childhood Iowa Statewide Needs Assessment Report Review Summary (ECI).
Hannah joined the I2D2 team in 2022 as a graduate research assistant and is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University. With a background in Economics and International Studies, her research focuses on early childhood, families, and public policy. She is particularly interested in how young children and families experiencing adversity can better access education, health, and social services and achieve better outcomes, and how these experiences vary by individual, family, and neighborhood characteristics.
At I2D2, Hannah primarily works on Head Start research, as well as projects with Early Childhood Iowa and Iowa Data Drive. Her work includes quantitative analyses, data collection, state partner communications, and dissemination activities. In 2024, she was awarded a dissertation grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.
Ava Leibfried joined the I2D2 team in 2024 as a Student Program Assistant. She is currently a junior at Iowa State University studying Agricultural Business. Ava is committed to transforming data into accessible stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
Cassandra “Cass” Dorius is I2D2’s cofounder and a dedicated public scientist. Her career is driven by a commitment to making science accessible to all. At Iowa State University, she has established programs such as the Data Science for Public Good to bring data knowledge to people. Dr. Dorius is driving positive change for people and communities through data.
Ji-Young is an Associate Professor of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. Her research interests center on studying how early care and education programs and policies can promote the early development of linguistically and economically diverse children. Ji-Young collaborates on I2D2’s Head Start awards.