Faculty and Staff Recognition & Awards
Dr. Roberto Abreu, Assistant Professor, was awarded two APA awards. He was awarded the Emerging Professional – Contributions to Research Award from Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race) AND the Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Qualitative Inquiry Award, Division 5 (Quantitative and Qualitative Methods). These awards recognize his early career contributions and outstanding record of research
Dr. Corina Jimenez-Gomez, Assistant Professor, was awarded the 2023 Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) DEI Distinguished Contributions Award for her work to advance DEI in behavior-analytic scholarship and practice. Some of the work demonstrating a deep commitment to DEI include co-authoring peer-reviewed papers (Paper Link)(Paper Link), participating in panels on multiculturalism and antiracism, and working with community partners.
Dr. Brian Odegaard, Assistant Professor, is a Scialog Fellow for Molecular Basis of Cognition (MBC). As a fellow Dr. Odegaard will contribute to a cross-disciplinary group, which includes molecular scientists, neuroscientists, psychologists, and researchers in related fields from institutions across the United States and Canada. Fellows will meet to identify challenges and opportunities in advancing understanding of the molecular processes that underlie memory and cognition, and to propose collaborative new, high impact research.
Dr. Peter Kvam, Assistant Professor, was recognized as a “Rising Star” from the American Psychological Association (2023). Rising Stars are in the earliest stages of their research careers post-PhD and have already advanced the field with their innovative work.
Dr. Natalie C. Ebner, Professor, was selected as a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science. Fellow status is awarded to APS members who have made sustained outstanding contributions to the science of psychology in the areas of research, teaching, service, and/or application.
Department of Psychology staff member David Fowler, Administrative Support Assistant II, was the recipient of the University of Florida’s Division Three Superior Accomplishment Award (2023). This award recognizes his contributions to the department and efforts to go the extra mile to support our faculty, staff, and students.
Dr. Brian Cahill, Associate Instructional Professor, earned first place for the Dr. Charles J. Fleener Outstanding Advisor Award (2022) for his work advising students in the University of Florida’s Pre-Law Fraternity. His work led to first and third place mock trial wins for our students. Read More
Dr. Feihong Wang, Assistant Instructional Professor and Dr. Nicole Dorey, Associate Instructional Professor will serve as Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellows (2022-2023). This award honors faculty who demonstrate excellence in online teaching. The Fellows provide guidance to members of the UF teaching community who wish to improve their online courses and complete online course reviews. Fellows also serve as ambassadors and reviewers for the Pathways Online Course Reviews process.
Dr. Iser (Willie) DeLeon, Professor, received the Outstanding Scientific Contributions award from the Florida Association of Behavior Analysis (FABA) at the 42nd Annual Meeting, September 2022. This award was based on Dr. DeLeon’s significant contributions to the ABA literature and the mentorship of ABA researchers which have advanced the science of behavior for the benefit of all Florida citizens.
Dr. Brian Iwata, Distinguished Professor, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Association of Behavior Analysis (FABA) at the 42nd Annual Meeting, September 2022. This award honors his contributions to the literature, dedication to FABA, and the historic mark he has made on the field of Behavior Analysis.
New Funding Awards for Research and Teaching
Dr. Lori Knackstedt, Associate Professor, together with Dr. Marek Schwendt Associate Professor and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience affiliate member Dr. Barry Setlow was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes to study the neurobehavioral consequences of THC and oxycodone polysubstance use. This study will be the first-ever evaluation of the ability of chronic voluntary THC self-administration to reduce the motivation to seek opioids in rats and is relevant for understanding human substance use.
Psychology Faculty were among those awarded internal grants from the McKnight Brain Institute. Dr. Lisa Scott, Professor, and Dr. Steve Weisberg, Assistant Professor, were awarded funds for MRI equipment that will be useful for scanning young children (Primary PI: Dr. Stefanie Bodison, Occupational Therapy). Dr. Marek Schwendt, Associate Professor, and Dr. Lori Knackstedt, Associate Professor, are investigators on Erica Dale’s MBI award to study a rodent inhalant system for simultaneous substance self-administration and breathing measurements.
Other Notable Highlights
Dr. Nicole Gravina was selected to serve on the CLAS Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee (DISC)
After 8 years of service to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) as a peer reviewer, and twice chairing the Autism Research Program panel, Dr. Darragh Devine, Professor, was invited to serve on the CDMRP Programmatic Review panel. He will serve a 5-year term. Learn more about CDMRP.