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Kristen Quinlan, PhD

Senior Research Scientist
EDC
Waltham, Massachusetts

Kristen Quinlan, Ph.D. is a Senior Research Scientist at the Education Development Center, where she serves as a Senior Research Advisor for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. In this role, she supports the Progress, Accountability, and Data Advisory Group, which is working to develop and launch a framework for tracking progress on the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Working closely with public and private sector partners, Dr. Quinlan is currently drafting the National Strategy’s Theory of Change Framework. This role demands proficiency in developing complex, nested logic models that reflect the functioning of a national system, a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of suicide prevention across the nation, effective leadership in engaging cross-agency and cross-sector partners, and a strong familiarity with HHS and other national surveillance systems.

Throughout her career, Dr. Quinlan has been dedicated to enhancing evaluation capacity within grassroots agencies, communities, and states. As the Director of Evaluation for the SAMHSA-funded Suicide Prevention Technical Assistance Center (SPTAC), she evaluated the operational effectiveness of the national center and supported grantees in their evaluation-related needs.

Dr. Quinlan is deeply committed to injury control and prevention, co-founding the Intersectional Council Workgroup for Suicide Prevention in the American Public Health Association. This initiative aims to engage all 32 member sections in promoting the importance of public health approaches to suicide and violence prevention.

Dr. Quinlan received her Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island in Behavioral Science in 2006, with a focus on Research Methods. She has served as adjunct faculty for the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College, teaching in the Psychology and Women’s Studies Departments. She has over 20 years of experience in working in public health.

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