NEWS

UNC's Abigail Panter elected fellow of American Psychological Association

Dr. Abigail T. Panter, a UNC associate professor of psychology, has been elected by her peers as a fellow of the American Psychological Association for 2003. The association news release said fellows are chosen for their exceptional and outstanding contributions to the research, teaching or practice of psychology. Fellows also must demonstrate the national impact of their work through avenues including research-based publications, leadership roles in psychology and community service in clinical practice.

The association, based in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and the world's largest association of psychologists, with a membership of more than 155,000. The association works to advance psychology as a science, a profession and a means of promoting human welfare.

Panter, who has taught at UNC since 1989, specializes in research methods and using quantitative techniques to uncover personality structure. She won a Tanner Award for teaching excellence in 1993.

A quantitative methodologist, Panter researches measurement and test theory, multivariate data modeling, program evaluation design, individual differences (especially personality) and applied problems such as HIV/AIDS and nicotine dependence in adolescents.

Panter is a regular member of the National Institute of Mental Health's grant panel on risk, prevention and health behavior and serves on numerous national committees and editorial boards in the area of social/personality psychology and quantitative methods.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College in 1985 and her master's and doctoral degrees from New York University in 1987 and 1989.

- 30 -

Photo URL: http://www.unc.edu/news/pics/faculty/panter_abigail.jpg