[1][2] Zinberg taught in the sociology department at Harvard and continued to lecture at the Kennedy School.

She trained as a biochemist and sociologist, and was a founding member of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School.

[3] Dorothy was married to Norman Zinberg, with whom she had two daughters, Annie and Sarah, from 1956 until his death in 1989.

[4] Zinberg was the daughter of Ernest and Esther Shore and attended Brookline High School.

After graduating she received a Bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, as well as a Master's in sociology from Boston University.