Richard Winett, Heilig-Meyers Professor of Psychology in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of Heilig-Meyers Professor Emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.

A member of the Virginia Tech Department of Psychology since 1979, Winett brought international visibility to Virginia Tech through his work in health behavior, particularly the intersection of health psychology, personalized behavioral medicine, and public health.

Winett was the principal investigator on 17 research grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies for 40 consecutive years. He authored or co-authored more than 270 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and reviews.

Among his professional honors and awards was the Research Career Mentor Award from the Society for Behavioral Medicine in 2017 and Virginia Tech’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Research.

At Virginia Tech, Winett served as the director of both the Department of Psychology’s clinical science program and the Center for Research in Health Behavior. He taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses, directed 38 doctoral students, and served on numerous master’s degree and doctoral degree committees in psychology.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Queens College of the City University of New York in 1967 and a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1971.

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