Dr. Edward O’Brien, professor for psychology and counseling, recently received the 2012 Pennsylvania Psychological Association’s (PPA) “Award for the Distinguished Contributors to the Science and/or Profession of Psychology.”

The award, which is given once a year to a Pennsylvanian psychologist, is awarded to those with outstanding professional achievement in either teaching, research, clinical work, or publications in psychology.

“I have had the good fortune to work with several people over the years who have been in leadership roles in PPA and I greatly appreciate their positive recognition of my work,” said O’Brien.

Dr. O’Brien was unanimously voted to receive the award from PPA’s awards committee, which is made up of seven past presidents of PPA. The Pennsylvania Psychology Association, which is the largest in the country, started giving this award in 1989.

“I feel very honored and humbled to receive this award. It is pretty amazing to have my name added to a list of previous award winners that includes people whose work I have followed and admired throughout my career,” said O’Brien.