Karen Zaya, Ph.D. | Morningstar

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More From Karen Zaya

What Can Private Funds Offer You?

The diversification benefits are modest, but the additional risks are not.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Apr 23, 2024

What Can Commodities Do for You?

Commodity profiles continue to evolve, as do their diversification benefits.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Apr 9, 2024

Which Alternatives Fit Into Your Portfolio?

Learn how different strategies can enhance diversification.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Apr 2, 2024

How Do Alternative Investments Fit Into a Diversified Portfolio?

These strategies vary, and so do their roles.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Jun 14, 2023

The Best Target-Date Funds for 2023 and Beyond

Five series earn the coveted Morningstar Analyst Rating of Gold.

Megan Pacholok Mar 28, 2023

State Street Target Retirement Series

Steady leadership guides this strategically designed series.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Mar 1, 2023

The Best Target-Date Funds for 2022 and Beyond

Only one series earned an upgrade to the coveted Gold-medalist ranking this year.

Megan Pacholok Mar 23, 2022

State Street Target Retirement Series

This target-date series enjoys durable advantages.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Mar 14, 2022

Options-Trading Funds Don’t Have to Be Scary

Although complicated, these strategies can help diversify a portfolio.

Karen Zaya, Ph.D. Feb 7, 2022

More About Karen Zaya

Karen Zaya, Ph.D., is a senior manager research analyst for Morningstar Research Services LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. She covers multi-asset and alternatives strategies.

Before joining Morningstar in 2021, Zaya taught at Hunter College, and before that she was a postdoctoral assistant professor at the University of Michigan, where she conducted research in mathematical fluid dynamics and taught undergraduate courses.

Zaya holds a doctorate degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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