Karina Zemel is the policy communications specialist at the Baker Institute. She develops and implements communications plans for the institute’s flagship reports and other major initiatives, working closely with experts and Rice University Public Affairs and Government Relations to grow the institute’s national, state, local, and global reach. She also writes, designs, and serves as production lead for high-impact policy content that promotes the institute’s nonpartisan, data-driven research and programming. She was previously the institute’s senior editor.

Zemel graduated with high honors and a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. Her interests include the practice of civic engagement and bridging research with political and civic action.