Kara Hageman, PhD, MPH

Kara Hageman is a Senior Scientist in the Pain Interventions Research and Technology group within the Neuromodulation Operating Unit at Medtronic. In this role, she plans and conducts research on emerging pain technologies and novel therapeutic indications, collaborating with internal marketing, clinical, and business development teams as well as external healthcare partners to advance patient-centered solutions for chronic pain.

Kara earned her PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Kansas, with a focus on biomaterials. Her doctoral research was conducted at the Orthopedic Research and Education Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center under the mentorship of Dr. Terence McIff. During her graduate training, she was awarded the Self Graduate Fellowship and served in leadership roles on the Graduate Student Advisory Board and within the Society for Biomaterials.

She previously earned a BS in Biomedical Engineering and dual master’s degrees in Public Health and Bioethics, specializing in population health research, from Case Western Reserve University. As a former college varsity basketball athlete, Kara remains passionate about athletics, including basketball, volleyball, running, and yoga.