As a vice president on Dimensional's Research team, Marlena conducts research in asset pricing and macroeconomics. She shares the results through published research and in presentations to institutions and financial advisors who work with Dimensional. Prior to joining Dimensional, Marlena gained experience explaining complex financial concepts as a teaching assistant for several professors, including Professor Eugene Fama. She has also worked as an economic consultant on antitrust litigation cases and as a research assistant at the Manhattan Institute of Policy Research.

Marlena earned her PhD in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She also holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business, and an MS in agricultural and resource economics and a BS in managerial economics from the University of California, Davis.