INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has presented an Inspiring Leaders in STEM Award to Tulane University psychology professor Michael Cunningham, PhD. The award honors professionals from underrepresented groups who have made an impact in a STEM field and encourage students to pursue STEM careers. Among his efforts, Cunningham has partnered with the Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation to provide underrepresented undergraduates with research experiences at Tulane and has directed a Society for Research in Child Development program that connects underrepresented undergraduates with mentors.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Society for Occupational Health Psychology and APA presented an Early Career Achievement Award to Larissa Barber, PhD, for her research on "workplace telepressure"—the urge to respond to work texts and emails right away. Barber has found that employees who report high levels of telepressure are more likely to experience burnout, call in sick and sleep poorly. Barber is a psychology professor and director of the Occupational Health and Stress Laboratory at Northern Illinois University.
The Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation and Universidad Francisco de Vicoria have presented an Expanded Reason Award to Darcia Narvaez, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Notre Dame. The award recognizes Narvaez's book "Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture, and Wisdom" for incorporating reflections on questions of anthropology, epistemology, ethics and meaning within psychology.
Pennsylvania State University has named Rayne A. Sperling, PhD, as associate dean of its College of Education. Sperling, who has taught at Penn State since 1998, was formerly the director of undergraduate and graduate programs in the department of educational psychology, counseling and special education.
This summer, California State University, San Bernardino professor Richard Addante, PhD, took part in a simulated mission to an asteroid through NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog program. Addante and three crewmates lived at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in a three-story habitat designed to mimic the physical and mental experience of a space mission. NASA researchers studied the crew to gather data on group dynamics, sleep deprivation and the physiological and psychological effects of isolation. Addante studies long-term memory as director of the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory at Cal State San Bernardino.
The International Society for Developmental Psychobiology has presented the Kucharski Young Investigator Award to Elisabeth Conradt, PhD, for her research on the epigenetic mechanisms driving the development of social and emotional difficulties in young children. Conradt is an assistant professor of developmental psychology at the University of Utah and directs the Child Adaptation and Neurodevelopment Lab.
The Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute presented its Nonprofit Pacesetter Award to Edwin T. Tan, PhD, for his advocacy work on behalf of Asian-Americans. Tan is director of advocacy at the nonprofit organization Asian Americans for Community Involvement, a hub of health, mental health and social services based in Santa Clara, California. From 2012 to 2013, Tan served as an APA Congressional Fellow in the office of Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.), and worked for the congressman as his senior chief adviser and district director.
