Lauren first joined the VPGE in 2014. She received her PhD in social psychology from Columbia University and completed her postdoctoral research at Stanford University. Lauren’s work with EDGE centers around using scientific insights to build community, support, and professional development for graduate students of diverse backgrounds. Her research examines how social identity affects success in education, with a focus on the sciences. Her research concentrates on how people work together in academic communities—how they communicate and connect with others, and how people see themselves in these contexts. Lauren translates her scientific insights into testable intervention strategies and programs that help students thrive at Stanford.