Tonya Smith-Jackson, PhD, provost at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), has been named the next chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark. A human factors engineer with advanced degrees in psychology, ergonomics, and industrial engineering, she has held key leadership roles at NC A&T since 2013—including chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and executive vice chancellor. She also led research labs and centers focused on cybersecurity and human-tech interaction and played a major role in establishing centers of excellence in cybersecurity, product design, and innovation.
Michael E. Young, PhD, has been appointed vice provost and dean of the graduate school at Baylor University. A professor of psychological sciences at Kansas State University, Young brings a multidisciplinary background in artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology. Young has held faculty positions at multiple universities and played key leadership roles at Kansas State, including department head and associate director of a major NIH-funded research center. His research explores decision-making in dynamic settings, particularly impulsive and risky behavior in video game environments, blending computational modeling with psychological theory.
Kelly Babchishin, PhD, an assistant professor of forensic psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, received an Early Researcher Award from Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities for her project on technology-facilitated sexual offenses. Her study will analyze data from university students and convicted offenders to better understand online-to-offline exploitation and improve prevention and management strategies. Part of a broader CA$75 million provincial investment in research, Babchishin’s project aims to inform education, reduce recidivism, and support public safety efforts in Ontario.
Sung-Joo Lim, PhD, a psychology professor at Binghamton University of the State University of New York, received a prestigious $815,269 National Science Foundation CAREER grant to explore how the brain’s dynamic functions support speech and language learning, especially in adults. Her research investigates new pathways to enhance brain plasticity and improve language acquisition, offering fresh insights into why kids pick up languages more easily. The 5-year study aims to unlock strategies for more effective adult language learning. As Lim investigates implicit learning in language education, she aims to explore its application beyond simple speech to complex rules like grammar.
Norah Feeny, PhD, a leading expert in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and trauma, has been named the first executive director of the Moll Institute at Case Western Reserve University. A professor and director of the university’s PTSD Treatment and Research Program, Feeny brings more than 30 years of experience across clinical settings, from sexual assault and substance abuse programs to outpatient care. Her work focuses on evaluating and refining mental health treatments, with an emphasis on improving outcomes for underserved communities. Under her leadership, the Moll Institute will expand research, training, and resources to support individuals with mental illness and their caregivers.
Frank M. Dattilio, PhD, has received the 2025 Clinical Faculty Award in Psychiatry from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, where he is a full clinical professor of psychiatry. He also holds a teaching associate position at Harvard Medical School. Widely recognized for his contributions to cognitive behavioral therapy and forensic psychology, Dattilio has earned multiple state and national honors for his work in psychology and psychotherapy.
