Elizabeth O'Hare, Ph.D.

Dr. Libby O’Hare leads Lewis-Burke’s biomedical research activities, advising clients in the areas of federal research policy and health care, with a focus on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and agencies that determine grantmaking policies, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Leveraging her prior experiences as an academic neuroscientist, congressional staffer, and National Academies study director, Libby taps into her work with researchers and research organizations to develop strategies and approaches to enhance clients’ biomedical research portfolios and protect them from federal proposals that would undermine efforts to advance critical life sciences research. 

Libby has an in-depth and practiced understanding of how to work with Congress, the Executive Branch, scientific and health organizations, and other stakeholder partners to achieve results.  Libby is a trusted advisor on research administration and grants policy issues.  Her knowledge of the federal grantmaking process enables her to understand the needs of faculty and administrators.  Libby brings a passion for science and research to her efforts on behalf of clients and relies on her relationships with key stakeholders across the government to protect policies and programs, create new opportunities, and position clients for success in enhancing and protecting their biomedical research portfolios. 

Issue Expertise: Appropriations, biomedical research, research policy and regulatory issues, graduate education and the science and engineering workforce, STEM education, and social and behavioral sciences.

Additional Expertise: Libby got her start in science policy as an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Science Policy Fellow and gained Capitol Hill experience working with New Jersey Representative Rush Holt.  Before joining Lewis-Burke, Libby directed several high-profile studies at the National Academies of Sciences , Engineering and Medicine, designed to inform action on pressing issues in higher education and the science and engineering workforce.  During Libby’s career as an academic neuroscientist, she investigated relationships between brain and cognitive development and her research was supported by awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Association of Women in Science (AWIS), and the University of California.

Vital Statistics: Libby is proud of her New Hampshire roots.  She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles and an A.B. in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College.  Her favorite brain region is the cerebellum.