UAB researcher in child psychology wins national award

UAB researcher in child psychology wins national award
Birmingham Business Journal - August 10, 2006

A University of Alabama at Birmingham psychologist has won the Society of Pediatric Psychology's Routh Early Career Award.

David Schwebel, an associate professor and vice chairman of UAB's psychology department, focuses his research on risk factors that lead to childhood injuries, including temperament, overestimation of physical ability and parent-child relationships. He is also director of undergraduate studies for the department and a scientist with both the UAB Injury Control Center and the UAB Center for the Advancement of Youth Health.

Schwebel's most recent research projects include the development of a behavioral intervention to reduce behaviors that can lead to unintentional playground injuries at pre-schools, and the development of a virtual reality software program designed to teach young children how to cross streets safely.

Schwebel is the principal investigator on several projects, including research supported by the Centers for Disease Control, the Federal Highway Administration and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He has published articles in nearly 30 academic journals, including the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Health Psychology, Child Development and the Journal of Safety Research.

The Society of Pediatric Psychology is a division of the American Psychological Association.