Early Career Professionals

This Community is for those new to the research world (less than 10 years post terminal degree) and is meant to help support those just starting out in their career, whether academia, government, think tank, NGO, non-profit or a corporate role. 

Chair: Lauren Toppenberg, Social Security Adminstration
Lauren Toppenberg is a Social Science Research Analyst at the Social Security Administration, where she focuses on research related to disability and social welfare policy. She recently earned her PhD from Columbia University’s School of Social Work, where her research explored the intersection of food insecurity and social and economic policies. Before pursuing her PhD, Lauren worked as a researcher for Feeding Texas, a network of 21 food banks across Texas. In this role, she analyzed the impact of state and federally sponsored food bank programs on food-insecure households, examining their effects on health and well-being outcomes. Lauren also holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Tulane University, as well as dual Master's degrees in Public Health and Public Affairs from the University of Texas.

Interested in becoming a Co-Chair of this Community? Contact Michelle Avaroma (mavaroma@appam.org).