Coren Apicella holds a Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology from Harvard University and an M.S. in Evolutionary Psychology from the University of Liverpool. She studies hunter-gatherers (e.g. the Hadza) and Westerners to explore the proximate and ultimate origins of human behavior.

Coren's work specializes in mate selection and attraction, behavioral endocrinology, behavior genetics, sex differences, behavioral economics, evolutionary psychology, and social networks and the evolution of cooperation. Her research has been featured in media outlets worldwide, including the BBC, ABC's Nightline, and the New York Times.

Currently, Coren is working as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department Health Care Policy under the direction of Nicholas Christakis.