We are a small but mighty team of subject matter experts with decades of experience in scientific portfolio analysis, evaluation, data science, and economics.

If you value a bespoke approach to understanding what is in your scientific portfolio, analyzing the scientific workforce, or carrying out an impact assessment, then we are the team for you!

Paula founded The Analytics Research Institute in 2021 and is the company’s CEO. Prior to this, Paula consulted with funding agencies and research administrators to provide state-of-the-art tools and analyses needed to make informed, data-driven decisions. Paula served as Training Director in the Office of Portfolio Analysis at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where she implemented and led an innovative training program that continues to assist program officers and policy analysts in carrying out effective analyses of the NIH research portfolio. With over a decade of analytical experience, Paula’s expertise spans the fields of biomedical research, science policy, and portfolio analysis.

Paula earned her Ph.D. in cell biology from Newcastle University, her M.Sc. in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, and her B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of Edinburgh.

Zahra is a Data Scientist at The Analytics Research Institute, specializing in applying her expertise in machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to develop AI-driven methodologies to address questions in the growing field of metascience. At the ARI, Zahra builds large-scale data pipelines and applies advanced NLP techniques to structure and analyze complex research and administrative data, enhancing research impact assessment and strategic planning, and supporting data-driven decision-making by research organizations and policymakers. 

Zahra earned her Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Boston University, where she specialized in explainable and sparse predictive models for healthcare applications. She holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tehran. 

Aviva is a Senior Economist and Strategic Advisor at The Analytics Research Institute, bringing over a decade of experience conducting quantitative analysis to guide research funding agencies and their decision making. Before joining ARI, Aviva served as a Senior Innovation Economist at RTI International, where she designed and executed impact analyses for federal clients, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Aviva previously worked as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of Portfolio Analysis at the NIH, applying tools such as econometrics, simulation, and machine learning to issues of researcher productivity and diversity, exploring strategies on funding allocation and effectiveness.

Aviva earned her Ph.D. in Policy Analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School, her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University, and a B.Arts.Sc in Chemistry and Multidisciplinary Studies from McMaster University.

Heather is a Senior Analyst at The Analytics Research Institute with expertise in portfolio analysis, research evaluation, and data-driven decision-making. She supports the development of analytical methods and tools that help research funders understand the productivity, impact, and outcomes of scientific investments. Heather has extensive experience working with the National Institutes of Health, including the application of machine learning, bibliometrics, and portfolio analysis techniques to assess research programs and inform strategic planning.

Heather earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California, San Francisco, and her B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of California, San Diego.