Since December 2012 Karen works as a researcher at the project Living meaningfully after cancer, first as a research assistant and currently as a junior researcher. The project Living meaningfully after cancer involves a randomised controlled trial on the effectiveness of a psychological training for cancer survivors. This training aims to strengthen people's coping abilities and sense of meaning in life. It is a Dutch adaptation of William Breitbart's Meaning Centered Group Psychotherapy.

In July 2012 Karen graduated cum laude both for the master Clinical Psychology and the research master Religious Studies.