Shelley Taylor receiving the National Medal of Science at the White House (C-SPAN)
October 24, 2023 | UCLA Life Sciences
UCLA Psychology Distinguished Professor Emerita, Shelley Taylor, was awarded the National Medal of Science at the White House today.
Taylor received this latest honor in recognition of her groundbreaking research into mental health and the power of human connection.
“Her work showed that optimism, self esteem, and strong relationships improve the health of people with cancer, diabetes, and other diseases – helping establish the fields of social cognition, health psychology, and social neuroscience – and increasing our nation’s well being.”
Taylor joined the UCLA Department of Psychology in 1979, and came to be known for her pioneering and collaborative research that integrated the fields of genetics, psychoneuroimmunology, and social neuroscience to advance our understanding of health psychology.
The National Medal of Science, established by Congress in 1959 and administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, is the highest recognition the nation can bestow on scientists and engineers. The presidential award is given to individuals in recognition for their service to the nation through their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the social and behavioral, physical, biological, mathematical, or engineering sciences. To date, there have been 515 recipients, and only 12 UCLA faculty have received this honor.
Taylor with Chancellor Gene Block at the White House ceremony on October 24