Research Associate
Nihaarika Sharma, M.S.W, M.P.H, is a research associate at L&M Policy Research. Ms. Sharma has experience in health policy analysis and conducting qualitative research with diverse communities to advance health equity through federal, state, and local policy. At L&M, she supports several consumer testing projects for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) related to Medicare and Healthcare.gov to understand web tool usability for beneficiaries, caregivers, and marketplace consumers through focus groups, in-depth interviews, and small group discussions.
Ms. Sharma also works with the CMS Office of Minority Health (OMH) to support the launch of the agency’s federal advisory committee on health equity by working with stakeholder organizations to identify and prioritize systemic barriers in CMS programs that hinder access for beneficiaries and consumers.
Prior to joining L&M, Ms. Sharma worked with a consortium of scientists and healthcare providers in Massachusetts as a project manager on a study evaluating the impacts of Long COVID on diverse communities. She also has prior experience in state government, non-profit program development, and youth education.
Ms. Sharma holds M.S.W. and M.P.H. degrees in macro social work and community health sciences from Boston University and a B.S. from Tufts University.