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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Dr. Courtney Haun, a Pelham resident, has been serving as the coordinator for the NASA Open Science Skills Training Initiative over the past year with a private company called Don’t Use This Code.

The training Haun provides is free and open to the public, aiming to equip researchers, educators and professionals with essential open science skills.

The program, which is supported by NASA’s Transform to Open Science Initiative, provides hands-on training in tools such as GitHub, Jupyter Notebooks and open data management. Under Dr. Haun’s leadership, the initiative has reached thousands of participants globally, fostering collaboration and accessibility in scientific research.

As an advocate for open science and education, Dr. Haun has played a key role in expanding outreach efforts, developing new training materials and enhancing participant engagement. Her work has helped bridge the gap between researchers and the broader scientific community, ensuring that knowledge and data are more freely shared.

Haun took the time to share her background, which is extensive and covers plenty of fields.

“My background spans healthcare administration, academia and open science advocacy- three areas that might seem different but actually align in fascinating ways,” Haun said. “Working in higher education, I’ve spent years training and mentoring students, helping them develop the skills needed to navigate research and data-driven fields.”

Haun detailed her current role with NASA and how it has influenced her life.

“When I had the opportunity to step into this role, it felt like an excellent fit,” Haun said. “Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of working with the DUTC team, NASA and partners across the world to expand open science training. It’s been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to keep growing this initiative.”

She then reflected on how her time in Pelham has positively informed her current role.

“Living and working in this community and the greater Birmingham area has allowed me to cultivate meaningful professional and personal connections that have shaped my approach to leadership and education,” Haun said. “My experiences here, particularly in fostering collaboration, building educational initiatives and engaging with diverse learners, have reinforced my commitment to community-driven learning.”

Haun further explained the goals of the NASA Open Science Skills Training Initiative and why it is important for researchers and educators.

“NASA’s Open Science Skills Training Initiative is all about breaking down barriers in research,” Haun said. “It provides free educational resources designed to help researchers, educators and even students master open science practices. In a world where collaboration and transparency are key to advancing science, this program empowers participants to share data, tools and discoveries in ways that make research more reproducible and accessible… At the end of the day, it’s about making science work for everyone, not just a select few.”

After explaining the initiative, Haun also detailed the Don’t Use This Code program.

“DUTC specializes in creating hands-on training experiences that simplify complex technical concepts, making them more accessible to a broader audience,” Haun said. “As part of this initiative, DUTC organizes virtual cohorts for remote learning, guiding participants through the principles and tools of open science.”

The fruits of participating in the Open Science program, according to Haun, are numerous.

“Participants in our Open Science training program develop practical, hands-on skills that enhance their ability to conduct and share research more effectively,” Haun said. “The training covers essential tools such as Git/GitHub for version control, Python for data analysis, Matplotlib for visualization, Jupyter Notebooks for interactive computing and Zenodo for open data sharing.”

Haun had no trouble recounting the most rewarding aspect of leading the initiative over the past year.

“Without a doubt, it’s seeing the impact firsthand,” Haun said. “Whether it’s a researcher who finally feels confident using open science tools, an educator incorporating these principles into their classroom or a student discovering a new career path through this training, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that we’re opening doors for people.”

While Haun is located in Shelby County, she recognizes the programs she leads have a global impact.

“I’ve also loved seeing the global reach of this program,” Haun said. “Open Science isn’t just a concept; it’s a movement, and I am grateful that I can be a part of something that’s making research more accessible across continents.”

With open science emphasizing collaboration and accessibility, Haun has worked hard to ensure these values are reflected in the training program.

“We prioritize inclusivity in both content and delivery,” Haun said. “This means designing beginner-friendly materials, providing support for those new to technical tools and ensuring that training materials are openly available. Additionally, we foster a collaborative learning environment where participants can engage in discussion, share experiences and learn from each other. Our goal is to lower barriers to participation so that open science is truly open to everyone.”

Haun closed by giving advice to those potentially interested in the programs she leads.

“First, take a deep breath,” Haun said. “You don’t need to be a coding expert to get started. Our training is designed for beginners, and we walk participants through everything step by step. The open science community is incredibly supportive, and we encourage participants to ask questions and take advantage of our helpful resources. The key is to approach it with curiosity rather than fear. These tools are meant to make research easier, not harder.”

For more information on both the NASA Open Science Training Initiative and the Don’t Use This Code program, visit Opensciencetraining.org and Linkedin.com/company/dont-use-this-code.