Prof. David Penn, PhD

Prof. David Penn, PhD is a distinguished research mentor and academic with decades ofexperience at the forefront of psychological science. A Research Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC Chapel Hill (and formerly the Linda Wagner Martin Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience), David brings deep expertise in social cognition and psychosocial treatment for schizophrenia to everything he does.

Having earned his PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and held previous faculty positions at the Illinois Institute of Technology and LSU, David has built a prolific career spanning rigorous clinical research, student mentorship, and evidence-based treatment development. His work covers CBT for psychosis, mindfulness-based interventions, and Social Cognition and Interaction Training, with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion in research and academia. He has over 300 publications, received numerous grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and from 2006-2021, he was ranked in the top 1% of most cited scientists in the world in Psychology-Psychiatry. Currently, he is ranked #276 in the United States and #450 in the world among researchers in psychology by Research.com.

As a research and post-PhD mentor, David offers unparalleled guidance to emerging scholars navigating the complexities of academic careers, research design, and professional development, drawing on a lifetime of scientific achievement and a genuine passion for nurturing the next generation of researchers.