SARA MCMULLIN, PHD

Behavioral and Decision Scientist

I am a behavioral and decision scientist specializing in how people make decisions under risk, stress, and uncertainty—and how those decisions can be improved through evidence-based design. My work sits at the intersection of behavioral science, data science, and ethics, with a focus on high-stakes contexts such as safety, health, pricing sensitivity, and trust-critical decisions.

I bring over a decade of experience designing and leading rigorous research programs that combine experimentation, causal inference, and advanced analytics. My background spans academic research, federally funded programs, and regulated clinical environments, where I have served as both a scientific lead and a statistical consultant. Across these settings, I translate complex behavioral and quantitative evidence into insights that inform strategy, improve user experiences, and support responsible decision-making.

Currently, I work as an Assistant Professor of Psychology and applied decision scientist, while also consulting on large-scale behavioral and mental health research projects. I am particularly interested in building and leading behavioral science capabilities within organizations, integrating behavioral theory with data science and AI to create human-centered, trustworthy systems.