The International Association of Applied Psychology has presented its Distinguished Contributions Award to Sverre L. Nielsen. The award honors Nielsen’s international impact on psychology practice and dedication to the growth of the field through his 35-year career at the Norwegian Psychological Association. Nielsen has served as president, secretary general, manager and senior advisor to the association.
Susan J. Curry, PhD, has been appointed chair of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine that works to improve Americans’ health by recommending preventive services. Curry has served on the task force since 2009, most recently as vice chair. She is also interim provost of the University of Iowa.
Anna López, PhD, has won the María Gutiérrez-Spencer Hispanic Heritage Award from the Hispanic Faculty and Staff Caucus at New Mexico State University for her service to the school and community. López is an assistant professor and co-principal investigator of the Project TEACH Grant, which is increasing the number of counseling trainees in integrated-care settings in underserved areas.
The Society for Research on Adolescence has presented its John P. Hill Memorial Award to Judith Smetana, PhD, for her career contributions to research on teen-parent relationships and social and moral development during adolescence. Smetana is a psychology professor at the University of Rochester and directs its doctoral program in developmental psychology.
Wake Forest University has presented its Award for Excellence in Research to Eranda Jayawickreme, PhD, and the Reid-Doyle Prize for Excellence in Teaching to E.J. Masicampo, PhD. Jayawickreme is an assistant professor of psychology, director of the university’s Growth Initiative Lab and co-leader of the Pathways to Character Project, a $3.4 million initiative on how to strengthen character following adversity or failure. Masicampo is an associate professor of psychology known for his commitment to students and for enlivening his teaching using his and others’ research.
Thomas A. Parham, PhD, is the new president of California State University, Dominguez Hills. Parham, a renowned researcher in black psychology and multicultural counseling, has taught and held leadership roles at the University of California, Irvine, for more than 30 years—most recently as vice chancellor for student affairs since 2010. Parham is also a past president of the Association of Black Psychologists.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has named Ann E. Wagner, PhD, as national autism coordinator. In this role, Wagner facilitates the coordination of autism spectrum disorder research, services and support activities across all federal agencies. Wagner continues her position as chief of the Biomarker and Intervention Development for Childhood-Onset Mental Disorders Branch in the Division of Translational Research at the National Institute of Mental Health, where she oversees the institute’s autism research program and chairs the National Institutes of Health Autism Coordinating Committee.
Maureen McCarthy, PhD, is now dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities at Ball State University. McCarthy was previously the faculty executive assistant to the president of Kennesaw State University, where she advised the president on faculty-related issues, and associate executive director for APA’s Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Programs.