Laura Barrie Smith
About Laura Barrie Smith
Laura Barrie Smith is a Senior Research Associate at the Health Policy Center of the Urban Institute, where she has worked since 2024. She has a background in health services research and policy, with previous roles at The Lewin Group and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
Work at Urban Institute
Laura Barrie Smith has been employed at the Urban Institute since 2020. She currently holds the position of Senior Research Associate within the Health Policy Center, a role she has occupied for 8 months as of 2024. In her capacity at the Urban Institute, she focuses on health policy research, contributing to various projects aimed at improving health outcomes and informing policy decisions.
Previous Experience at The Lewin Group
Before joining the Urban Institute, Laura Barrie Smith worked at The Lewin Group from 2012 to 2015. During her tenure, she served as a Senior Research Analyst for three years and later as a Research Consultant for six months in 2015. Her roles involved analyzing health policy data and supporting research initiatives in the health sector, based in Falls Church, VA.
Academic Background
Laura Barrie Smith completed her undergraduate studies at St. Olaf College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with concentrations in Statistics and Management Studies from 2008 to 2012. She furthered her education at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, obtaining a PhD in Health Services Research, Policy, & Administration with an emphasis on Health Economics from 2015 to 2020.
Experience at University of Minnesota School of Public Health
At the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Laura Barrie Smith held multiple positions. She worked as a Graduate Research Assistant from 2015 to 2020, where she contributed to research projects in health services. Additionally, she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant from 2017 to 2018, supporting the educational mission of the school through teaching and mentoring students.