Since she joined Newsweek in 1985, Karen Springen has reported stories for every section of the magazine . She also frequently writes for Newsweek.com and Newsweek-affiliated publications, such as the Kaplan/Newsweek college guide. She has contributed to thousands of stories--including Newsweek's coverage of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Unabomber and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

She is particularly interested in family, health and education issues. Recently, for example, she wrote "Indecent Exposure" about the controversy over public breastfeeding and co-authored Newsweek's cover on care giving and Alzheimer's disease.

She has appeared on many radio and TV programs, including NBC's "Today" show, CNN's "Crossfire" and CNN and MSNBC news. Recent honors include a New York State Society of Certified Public Accounts excellence in financial journalism award (with her colleagues) for their United We Owe debt series for Newsweek.com.

In 1983, Springen earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Stanford University, where she was editor in chief of The Stanford Daily. In 1985, she received a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She teaches a class at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and serves on the Stanford University Alumni Association board.

 She and her husband live in suburban Chicago with their two daughters. She is an avid runner, vegetarian, needle pointer and reader.