Kelly Overly, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Communications

Kelly Overly joined the Allen Institute in 2006 and oversees the organization’s communications activities. Previously, she served as Research Alliance Manager, managing collaborations and interdisciplinary projects across departments and organizations, with additional responsibilities in various public-facing, community outreach and product development activities. Overly has a diverse background that spans communications and business strategy, neuroscience research, and science education. Prior to joining the Allen Institute, as Lecturer at the University of California, Irvine, Overly developed and directed an undergraduate neuroscience research program, provided curricular guidance for high school summer science program, and taught a variety of courses. As Director at Feinstein Kean Partners/Kendall Strategies, she led corporate communications programs and business strategy efforts for life sciences companies and established and managed the U.S. firm’s west coast office. Overly has conducted research at Harvard University and Athena Neurosciences Inc. and has published on nerve cell biology, Alzheimer’s disease, and the intersection of genomics and neuroscience. Overly earned an A.B in biology and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Harvard University.