Programmer | information designer | researcher | musician

Exploring the intersection of computation, humans, and sound.
Blending data, audio, and visuals for applications in communication and storytelling.

www.aurawalmer.com   •   aurawalmer@gmail.com

Highlights

• Pursuing a M.A. in Music, Science, and Technology at CCRMA, Stanford University.
• Author/coauthor of 3 publications | author of 9 articles | presenter at 8 conferences.
• Built a data sonification toolkit used by NPR, podcasters, and researchers.
• Performed in an interactive "Living Data" Concert.
• Developed two web applications at Eli Lilly used for COVID-19 research.

Technical Skills

• Code: R, Python, C++, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SPSS, SAS, Unix / Bash scripting, XML
• Data Visualization: Observable, D3.js, p5.js, SVGs, Datawrapper, Highcharts, Figma, Flourish, QGIS
• Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, After Effects, Photoshop, Express, Premiere Pro
• Frameworks / Database: GitHub, GitBook, SQL, Django
• Audio: Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, Sonic Pi, Max/MSP, Python, C++, ChucK

Professional Experience

Processed and enhanced data and documentation for ICPSR research studies. Used R, Python, SPSS, and/or SAS to handle data. Wrote code for batch processing, data cleaning, quality review, and metadata creation.
Built an internal R package that generates file templates for large study deposits.

Built a data sonification toolkit designed to centralize a wide array of sonification resources. The aim of this project is to help journalists and information designers learn about sonification and encourage them to use this unique and accessible method of conveying information.
Toolkit: www.sonificationkit.com | Monthly Articles: RJI Online

Developed accessible, sound-based educational resources with the Georgia Tech Sonification Lab.
Presented at the International Conference on Auditory Display (ICAD 2024).
Publication: "Accessible Sonification of Total Solar Eclipse 2024."
Built a custom website, wrote Python scripts, and generated sonifications in Highcharts.

Data visualization and sonification projects, research collaborations, and freelance journalism. See portfolio for project listings: www.aurawalmer.com/data.

• Built R Shiny web tools to automate biological data analysis and generate data visualizations. These tools were used for Covid-19 research efforts during 2020.
• Conducted data analysis using R and Python to support research scientists.
• Wrote parsing scripts in Python to systematically format data for centralized storage.
• Developed a data dictionary and helped design database structure for improved data access.
• Co-authored a scientific paper presenting new methodology (mAbs Journal 2022).

Assisted a development economics study (longitudinal, randomized controlled trial) measuring long-term impacts of a scholarship treatment on Ghanaian youth. Conducted econometric data analysis, monitored data collection, coded electronic surveys, and trained surveyors.

Assisted a development economics study (randomized controlled trial) measuring the impact of an informational treatment on beliefs about education in Peru. Conducted data cleaning and analysis, monitored data collection in rural regions, coded electronic surveys, and trained surveyors.

Education

Courses: Linear Algebra for Machine Learning, Practicum for Deep Neural Networks, Probability & Statistics for Deep Learning, Data Science in R

Presentations

• ICAD Conference 2024
  Presented research paper on sonification project with Georgia Tech. Discussed accessible multimodal methods for experiencing the 2024 eclipse. Conference proceedings. (June 2024)
• AIGA Design Conference 2024
  Presented methods of data sonification for information design. Shared research, examples, and fellowship project. Presentation recording. (October 2024)
• Cumulus Design Conference 2024
  Presented a speculative research paper proposing the adoption of design-conscious data sonification in information design. Conference proceedings. (October 2024)
• NICAR Conference 2025
  Led a data sonification workshop for journalists. Presented fellowship project, the Data Sonification Toolkit, as a supportive resource for participants. Workshop description. (March 2025)
• IRE Conference 2025
  Led a data sonification workshop for journalists. Guided participants through laptop-based sonification exercises, using the Data Sonification Toolkit as a reference. Workshop description. (June 2025)
• SRCCON Conference 2025
  Presented methods of sensory-driven journalism as alternatives to anxiety-inducing news formats. These included data sonification, ambient soundscapes, and multimodal design. Workshop description. (July 2025)
• SoniTEA Conference 2025
  Presented latest features of the Data Sonification Toolkit to researchers. Conference description. (October 2025)
• Information Plus Conference 2025
  Led a 3-hour data sonification workshop. Participants (20 attendees) engaged in hands-on sonification design exercises, spatial sonfication, and embodied data practices. Presented the Data Sonification Toolkit, shared examples, and led discussions on the varied efficacy of sonification approaches. Workshop description. (November 2025)
• Living Data Sonification Concert 2025
  Performed at Whitman College on Nov. 7th, 2025. Each contributor shared sound works inspired by the theme "living data." Performers: Aura Walmer, Jordan Wirfs-Brock, Tristan Peng, and Walker Smith. Website: www.livingdata.live.
• SRCCON Conference 2026
  Led a workshop called "Sound play and rebellious human-made craft," guiding participants through sound-centered exercises and alternative techniques for crafting short form audio documentaries, sound art, or podcasts. Workshop description and workshop document. (July 2026)
• ICAD Conference 2026
  Gave lightning talk and participated in a panel about data sonification for public egagement. Extended abstract in proceedings: "The Data Sonification Toolkit: Centralizing Resources to Support the Sonification Community." (July 2026)

Publications

• "High-throughput profiling of antibody self-association in multiple formulation conditions by PEG stabilized self-interaction nanoparticle spectroscopy"
  mAbs Journal | July 2022
• "Accessible Sonification of Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Accessible Map and Multimodal Virtual Reality Experience"
  ICAD Conference Proceedings 2024 | Paper | Project webpage | June 2024
• "The Data Diaries: Data Sonification of the Total Solar Eclipse"
  Nightingale Magazine | July 12, 2024
• "Data Sonification and the Power of Audio: Breaking Boundaries of Information Design with Creativity, Accessibility, and Innovation"
  Cumulus Design Conference Proceedings 2024 | October 2024
• RJI Fellowship Articles
  Embracing data-driven audio as a storytelling method | August 8, 2024
  Breaking down the barriers to data sonification | September 12, 2024
  Toolkit overview: Examples, tutorials, resources | October 3, 2024
  Why journalists should care about design-conscious sonification | November 4, 2024
  Customization is key to a compelling sonification | December 3, 2024
  Listening for feedback on a dynamic resource | January 21, 2025
  You’re not alone | February 19, 2025
  Introducing the Data Sonification Toolkit | February 27, 2025
  
• "The Data Sonification Toolkit: Centralizing Resources to Support the Sonification Community"
  ICAD Conference 2026 | Proceedings | July 2026

Recognitions & Community

• Data Sonification Awards Recipient, 2025 & 2026
• OpenNews Scholarship Recipient, 2025 & 2026
• Reynolds Journalism Institute Professional Innovation Fellow, 2024-25
• Data Visualization Society Mentorship Cohort: Winter 2024, Summer 2025
• Community Member
  International Community for Auditory Display (ICAD), Decibels Community (Discord), Sonification World Chat (SWC)
  Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE & NICAR), OpenNews Community (SRCCON)

References are available upon request.

Visit www.aurawalmer.com for respective portfolios of data-driven projects, artwork, and audio.

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