Kara Zivin

Kara Zivin, Ph.D., is a mother, stepmother, and senior researcher at Mathematica. She is also a professor of psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and health management and policy at the University of Michigan, as well as a research career scientist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She has dedicated her more than two-decade career to assessing the intended and unintended consequences of health policies on vulnerable populations with mental health and substance use conditions, including older adults, veterans, and pregnant and postpartum individuals. She aims to increase public awareness about and influence policy addressing behavioral health conditions by combining research expertise and personal narrative. Zivin completed her Ph.D. and M.S. at Harvard University, her M.A. at Johns Hopkins University, and her M.F.A. at Vermont College of Fine Arts.