Biography
Rachael A Lennon, PhD, is an applied behavioral scientist who uses program evaluation and rigorous research to identify and scale interventions that prevent violence and promote maternal, child, and family health. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Lennon designs and leads rigorous, data-driven research to evaluate complex interventions and inform evidence-based policy and practice.
Her work centers on the evaluation of multi-level programs and policies using advanced quantitative and mixed-methods approaches, including quasi-experimental designs and structural equation modeling. She has led and contributed to evaluations across diverse domestic and international contexts, including the United States, Kenya, Jordan, and Moldova, examining outcomes such as maternal mental health, child well-being, education, and violence prevention. Her work is grounded in prior experience in direct service and program management, including roles supported by a Fulbright fellowship and positions with the Mayor’s Office to Combat Gender-Based Violence and UNDP, which inform her commitment to producing research that is both methodologically rigorous and practically relevant for communities and implementers.
Dr. Lennon has secured more than $10 million in research funding from major agencies and foundations, including USAID and the CDC, and has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to her research, she is committed to mentorship and capacity building, supporting students and practitioners in the application of rigorous analytic methods.
Dr. Lennon currently serves as a Behavioral Scientist at Tulane University, where her work focuses on the impact of economic policies on maternal mental health using large, nationally representative datasets.
