Laura Cabrera, Ph.D., PST

Laura Cabrera, PhD (Cornell), is a systems scientist, translational researcher, and educator whose work explores one of science's greatest challenges: how to translate scientific discovery into widespread human understanding and practical use. She serves as Professor and Chief Translational Scientist of the Cabrera Research Lab (CRL), a scientific research organization dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and public understanding of systems thinking through research, education, media, and technology.

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From 2005 to 2026, Laura served on the faculty of Cornell University, where she held appointments in the College of Human Ecology, the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs, the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Executive Education, and the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. During her time at Cornell, she served as Faculty Director of the Graduate Certificate in Systems Thinking, developed and delivered executive education programs in systems thinking and leadership, and taught systems thinking through eCornell and Cornell Executive Education.

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While at Cornell, Laura and her husband and research partner, Dr. Derek Cabrera, co-founded the Cabrera Research Lab to advance basic and applied research in cognition, complexity, and systems science. As the Lab's research gained international recognition, its mission expanded beyond the university through scientific publications, executive education, software, public scholarship, and media. At the encouragement of their graduate students, Laura and Derek launched the Cabrera Lab Podcast to make the science of systems thinking accessible to a global audience. What began as an extension of their teaching and research has become the world's leading systems thinking podcast, now ranked among the top 1% of podcasts worldwide. In 2026, the Cabrera Research Lab and podcast studio relocated to Montana, where Laura now leads the organization's operations while continuing her research and public engagement focused on translating systems science into practical tools for individuals, organizations, and society.

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Laura serves as Vice President of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) and was inducted as a Fellow of the Academy of Systems Thinking (AST, formerly IASCYS) in recognition of her contributions to the field. She also serves on the Systems Engineering Advisory Board of the United States Military Academy at West Point and works closely with the Systems Thinking Standards Institute (STSI) to advance evidence-based systems thinking education and practice.

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As co-founder and Chief Translational Scientist of the Cabrera Research Lab, Laura leads the translation of scientific discoveries into evidence-based methods, educational programs, technologies, and professional practice. Her work focuses on ensuring that advances in systems science and cognition become practical methods, tools, and technologies that improve learning, leadership, decision-making, organizational performance, and human flourishing. Through books, executive education, software, film, and the Cabrera Lab Podcast, Laura has helped bring systems science from academic research into classrooms, boardrooms, government agencies, and homes around the world.

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Laura has twice received National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards (2018 and 2024) supporting innovations in cognition and systems thinking. During her career at Cornell, she served as Senior Research Associate at the Center for Translational Research, Principal Evaluator for Eat Smart New York, Project Director for the National Science Foundation STEM Systems Evaluation Capacity Grant, Co-Principal Investigator of Cornell's Parenting in Context Initiative, and Acting Executive Director of ThinkWater, a USDA-funded national initiative integrating systems thinking into water research, extension, and education. Prior to Cornell, she conducted research at the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

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Laura has authored five books, including the award-winning Systems Thinking Made Simple, Thinking at Every Desk, Flock Not Clock, and Connect the Dots, and is co-editor of the Handbook of Systems Thinking. Her work in K–12 education and systems thinking was featured in the full-length documentary RE:Thinking. She has also developed systems thinking programs for eCornell, including the Systems Thinking and Leadership certificate and courses for Cornell's Executive Master of Public Administration program.

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Her work spans education, leadership, organizational change, evaluation, parenting, public policy, and human development, with a particular emphasis on translating cutting-edge scientific research into practical tools that improve decision-making and human flourishing. She lives in Montana with her husband and research partner, Derek Cabrera, their children, and their dogs.

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Twitter: @_Laura_Cabrera
Facebook: laura.cabrera6
LinkedIn: laura-cabrera-66a2968
Instagram: lauracabrera53