Zelinski Elected Head of APA Division
Photo/S. Peter Lopez
Zelinski’s appointment on Aug. 20 maintains a long-held tradition of leadership by representatives from the USC Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center, the research and services component of the USC Davis School.
Dedicated to adult development and aging, Division 20 past-presidents include Dean Emeritus James Birren, professor Bob Knight, former faculty members Warner Schaie and Steve Zarit along with alums Diana Woodruff-Pak and Chris Hertzog.
“Division 20 has played an important role in guiding aging policy through APA, not only with respect to social and legal issues but also in advocating for scientific research in the behavioral aspects of aging,” Zelinski said.
Zelinski will assume the role of president in 2008, serving as the contact person for all association business and presiding over Division 20 executive board meetings. One of her main goals is to confront the challenges of declining funding for aging and health research.
Outgoing Division 20 President Elizabeth A.L. Stine-Morrow praised Zelinski’s work as a top administrator at the USC Davis School, where she served for two-and-a-half years as dean and executive director (2004-2007) and for five years as director and associate dean (1999-2004).
“Dr. Zelinski is an eminent researcher in the psychology of aging and has significant administrative skills,” she said. “Division 20 is very fortunate to have her in this position of leadership.”
Zelinski evaluates cognition, memory and language comprehension in older adults. As principal investigator of the Long Beach Longitudinal Study, she measures peoples’ perceived memory ability against their actual performance over time. Holder of the Rita and Edward Polusky Chair in Education and Aging, she has appointments in psychology, neurosciences and the Study of Women and Men in Society.
“I am deeply humbled by this election to the highest office in the APA division of Adult Development and Aging,” Zelinski said. “I stand on the shoulders of some truly visionary leaders who understood the importance of aging as a personal and societal experience over 50 years ago.”
Gerald C. Davison, dean of the USC Davis School, also offered his congratulations.
“Liz Zelinski's election to the presidency of Division 20 of the American Psychological Association continues a proud tradition for our school and underscores the leadership position that our enterprise enjoys on the national scene.”
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