Jessica Jones Nielsen, PhD, has been named a professor of psychology at City St George’s, University of London, making her the first Black woman professor at the institution. Jones Nielsen’s research examines the intersection between physical and mental health and promotes engagement in positive health behaviors.
The National Academy of Sciences awarded Troland Research Awards to two researchers for their contributions to experimental psychology: Evelina Fedorenko, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Nicholas Turk-Browne, PhD, Yale University. Fedorenko’s research focuses on how people understand and produce language, while Turk-Browne’s work has an integrative perspective on human cognition, examining how perception and attention influence memories.
Adanna J. Johnson, PhD, has been appointed associate chief academic officer for faculty affairs at the University of the District of Columbia. Johnson most recently served as the first associate vice president for student equity and inclusion at Georgetown University. Her research focuses on cultural competence and cultural approaches to healing and environmental consciousness.
The National Institutes of Health awarded a $21 million grant to a multidisciplinary team of University of Miami (UM) researchers studying factors associated with health outcomes and disease risk in the Hispanic community. The national Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is the most comprehensive, epidemiological longitudinal study among U.S. Hispanics/Latinos. The principal investigators are Frank Penedo, PhD, a professor of psychology and medicine at UM; Maria Llabre, PhD, a professor of psychology and education at UM; and Claudia Martinez, MD, an associate professor of clinical medicine in the Miller School’s Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. The project director is Christina Cordero, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at UM.
Layli Maparyan, PhD, has been appointed the 16th president of the University of Liberia. Prior to her appointment, Maparyan was executive director of the Wellesley Centers for Women and professor of Africana studies at Wellesley College. Her focuses are in the areas of womanism and social identities.
Six psychological scientists were among the 400 researchers who received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE is the highest honor the U.S. government can bestow on scientists and engineers beginning their independent research careers. Congratulations to Roselinde Kaiser, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder; Allyson Mackey, PhD, University of Pennsylvania; Melanie Pellecchia, PhD, University of Pennsylvania; Justin Parent, PhD, University of Rhode Island; Maital Neta, PhD, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; and Gavin Price, PhD, University of Exeter.
The National Academy of Education announced the addition of 22 education leaders and scholars to the academy, including three psychologists. Congratulations to Michelle Fine, PhD, The City University of New York; Drew H. Gitomer, PhD, Rutgers University–New Brunswick; and Stephen Sireci, PhD, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The University of Kansas (KU) named Meagan Patterson, PhD, as associate vice provost for faculty policy and recognition. Patterson has been with KU’s Department of Educational Psychology since 2007. Patterson’s research focuses on children’s knowledge and attitudes about gender, race, and politics and how adults talk with children about these topics.
