Velma McBride Murry, PhD, MS

Dr. Velma McBride Murry holds the Lois Autrey Betts Endowed Chair, previously held an appointed position of Associate Provost, Research and Innovation, currently serves as Co-Director of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program for Population Health and Engagement Research (PHER), and is a University Distinguished Professor in Departments of Health Policy [Vanderbilt School of Medicine] and Human and Organizational Development [Peabody College]. She is Past President of the Society for Research on Adolescence and past President of The International Consortium of Developmental Science Societies. McBride Murry is one of the 100 elected members to the 2020 Class of the National Academic of Medicine. She is an appointed standing member of National Institutes of Health National Advisory Mental Health Research Council. Her research examines how social, familial, and community contexts shape the everyday experiences, development, and well-being of Black youth and families residing in rural communities. Her scholarship focuses especially on how structural and social conditions affect family relationships, parenting, health, and developmental outcomes, as well as the cultural and relational strengths that foster resilience and positive development. She is the 2026 recipient of the American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology, which recognizes her distinguished contributions to translating psychological science into approaches that address consequential real-world problem.