Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS Special Award for Distinguished Contributions

Recipients of the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS Special Award for Distinguished Contributions are recognized leaders for significant contributions to the field of social and behavioral science in the areas of research, mentoring, advocacy and service toward the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Willo Pequegnat, PhD

Willo Pequegnat, PhD, has served as assistant director of the National institutes of Health Office of International AIDS Prevention Research since 1997. In that time, she made requests for applications that have accelerated prevention and treatment research and has provided guidance on innovative research methodologies. Since the late 1980s, Pequegnat has mentored three generations of HIV/AIDS researchers, and has encouraged many psychologists to expand into international AIDS research. She has also co-edited several books intended to expand the research base of service organizations and graduate education. Pequegnat has also served as the chair of the National Institute of Mental Health Committee on Families and HIV/AIDS, and developed programming to increase communication between service providers and HIV investigators. Finally, through her work at the Whitman Walker Clinic, Pequegnat has remained clinically active, both as a therapist and a trainer of therapists. This citation is in recognition of the ways that Pequegnat continues to shape, mentor and guide research, prevention, education and treatment of HIV/AIDS.