Dr. Lauren KB
CV
about me
I've always been a person who wanted to know the why. Why does that work? Who does it work for? Who does it leave out? And who isn't showing up in the numbers?
I am interested in what helps communities thrive, from the systems that shape people's opportunities to the everyday behaviors that build healthy schools and neighborhoods. My expertise includes research design, program evaluation, assessment, and turning findings into decisions leaders can act upon.
Over my career, I've led R&D portfolios in K-12 education, managed teams and contractors across multiple states, and overseen large private and federal research projects. I began in research labs, building a foundation in rigorous people-centered research.
I earned my PhD in Health Psychology, with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health Science, from Virginia State University where I focused on math anxiety and health outcomes. I then completed my postdoc at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology.
I am based in the Research Triangle, NC. When I am not trying to find the answers to questions, you'll find me baking and listening to records with my pets and spouse.
SKILLS
Research Design
Community Co-Design
User Research
Assessment Development
Research Communication
Data & Analysis
Creative Initiatives
Recent Work Experience
Research Scientist
Assessment for Good
Advanced education and research development fund(AERDF)
2022-2026
Developed asset-based assessment R&D across 43 schools: managed multi-state teams, authored 1,000+ items, ran 200+ student interviews, developed frameworks, and developed reports and training materials for diverse audiences.
Data & Evaluation manager
HBCU Center for Math and Education Research
(Virginia state University)
2023-2025
Managed the multi-site evaluation of a $3M NSF-funded HBCU center, leading data collection, analysis, and funder reporting that documented the center's progress and impact.
Postdoctoral Associate
University of Maryland, College PArk
(Human Development & Quantitative Methodology)
2020-2022
Developed assessment instruments for grades 3–5 as part of the EF+Math initiative, connecting executive function research to how students learn and succeed in math.
Assessment & Data Coordinator
(VSU C.E.N.T.E.R.S.)
2019-2022
Implemented assessments with students in grades 5–9, applying the PVEST framework to understand how identity and context shape learning, and managed data collection in schools. Data collection techniques and research protocols.
Education
Virginia State University
PhD, Health Psychology
Behavioral & Community Health Science