August 10, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) psychologist David Schwebel, Ph.D., has won the Routh Early Career Award in Pediatric Psychology, presented by the Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP).

The Routh Early Career Award recognizes the significant contributions of an SPP member to the field of pediatric psychology in research, clinical training and/or service. The SPP is a division of the American Psychological Association.

Schwebel is an associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychology. His research focuses on risk factors that lead to childhood injuries, including temperament, overestimation of physical ability and parent-child relationships. He 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.

His 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 vice chairman of the UAB Department of Psychology and director of undergraduate studies for the department. He also is a scientist with the UAB Injury Control Center and the UAB Center for the Advancement of Youth Health.