Karen Diao

Karen Diao is a psychiatric nurse currently working at Gracie Square Hospital, specializing in the care of older adults with psychiatric disorders. In addition, Diao serves as an infusion nurse at Ember Health, providing compassionate care in IV ketamine therapy for individuals dealing with depression. Previous experience includes roles as a psychedelic peer support provider at Fireside Project, a clinical research assistant at LUXURGERY, and participation in the competitive Geriatric Scholars Program at the Hartford Institute, where a systematic review on psilocybin therapy was developed. Diao also has experience as a research assistant at New York University Abu Dhabi, focusing on mother-child play interactions, and at MD Anderson Cancer Center in anesthesia research. Earlier roles included museum educator at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and figure skating rehabilitational coach for children with neurological variations. Diao is currently a DNP-PMHNP/PhD candidate at Columbia University after earning a BSN from New York University.