Teresa Gavaruzzi, doctoral fellow at CBSSM in 2008 and 2009, has received the Alberto Mazzocco Award from the University of Padua, Italy. She accepted the honor at the September 2009 meeting of the Italian Association of Psychology (Experimental Section). Prof. Mazzocco, in whose memory this award is presented, was a revered scholar in the field of reasoning and decision making at the University of Padua.While at CBSSM, Gavaruzzi worked with mentor Angela Fagerlin, PhD, currently Co-director of CBSSM.

Former post-doctoral fellow Amanda Dillard, PhD, has accepted a position as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. She will join the GVSU faculty in August 2009, after wrapping up her third academic year with CBSSM. Under the mentorship of Angela Fagerlin, PhD, Dr. Dillard was a very active member of CBSSM's Patient Decision Making Group, researching in particular the use of testimonials in patient decision aids. Her post-doctoral position has been supported by the Ann Arbor VA, and her survey work has received grants from the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making. CBSSM congratulates Amanda Dillard!

Michael Poulin, PhD, has joined the faculty at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York (SUNY) as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. Dr. Poulin was a post-doctoral fellow at CBSSM for two years, under the mentorship of Stephanie Brown, PhD.  During this time he was an active member of the CBSSM research community and a delightful colleague. Dr. Poulin's research focuses on the effects of stress on health and well-being, especially the ways people cope with stressful events. He examines how people's beliefs about the world, including religious beliefs and beliefs about the trustworthiness of others, influence adjustment to stress.