Zachary Hartzell
Behavioral Science Research Methodologist
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Graduate-level researcher and clinician-in-training committed to advancing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and identity-affirming clinical care for individuals navigating addiction, trauma, and marginalized identities. Seeking doctoral training that integrates rigorous clinical practice, psychological science, and community-engaged work to support underserved populations, develop innovative behavioral interventions, and contribute to the future of mental health research and practice.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Recovery Partner
Red Door Life
01.2025 - Current
- Provide trauma-informed support, crisis intervention, treatment engagement, and relapse-prevention guidance within a multidisciplinary recovery setting.
Principal Investigator
Evergreen Fund
01.2025 - Current
- Lead clinical study design evaluating behavioral incentives for adherence to opioid-overdose–prevention wearable devices administering Narcan.
Long-Term Recovery Support
Alcoholics Anonymous
01.2010 - Current
- Fifteen years of mentorship and support for individuals navigating addiction, trauma, and identity-related struggles.
Lead User Experience Researcher
Atlas Clarity
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Directed mixed-methods UX and patient-experience research for chronic neurological conditions.
Senior Research Manager
Barry’s
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Led behavioral and operational research; synthesized data into strategic recommendations.
Clinical Research Assistant
UCSF B.A.N.D. Lab
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Supported addiction, PTSD, and neuropsychiatric research; conducted assessments; collected cognitive, visual, auditory, and physiological data.
Principal Research Investigator
Whitman College
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Designed and executed a comparative cognition study on cross-species decision-making.
Education
M.A. - Behavioral Economics
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Los Angeles, CA01.2022
Certification - UX/UI Research & Design
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA01.2023
B.A. - Psychology; Honors Minor in Astrophysics
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA01.2017
Skills
Clinical interviewing; trauma-informed care; LGBTQ affirmative practice; crisis assessment; addiction recovery support; motivational interviewing; DBT-informed coaching
Mixed-methods research; qualitative coding; behavioral science; survey design; usability testing; SPSS; academic writing; patient-experience research; journey mapping
Innovation mindset
Customer relationship building
Strategic planning
Talent recruitment
Publications
Herbranson, W. T., Pluckebaum, H., Podosbinski, J., & Hartzell, Z. (2021). Don’t Let the Pigeon Chair the Search Committee: Pigeons Match Humans’ Suboptimal Approach to the Secretary Problem. Journal of Comparative Psychology.
The Frank Beach Comparative Psychology Award The Frank Beach Comparative Psychology Award Issued by
The Frank A. Beach Comparative Psychology Award is given each year to recognize the best paper published in Journal of Comparative Psychology®. This award is selected by the editor and consulting editors of Journal of Comparative Psychology.
Timeline
Recovery Partner
Red Door Life
01.2025 - Current
Principal Investigator
Evergreen Fund
01.2025 - Current
Lead User Experience Researcher
Atlas Clarity
01.2023 - 01.2025
Senior Research Manager
Barry’s
01.2018 - 01.2023
Clinical Research Assistant
UCSF B.A.N.D. Lab
01.2016 - 01.2018
Principal Research Investigator
Whitman College
01.2016 - 01.2017
Long-Term Recovery Support
Alcoholics Anonymous
01.2010 - Current
Certification - UX/UI Research & Design
University of California, Berkeley
B.A. - Psychology; Honors Minor in Astrophysics
Whitman College
M.A. - Behavioral Economics
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology