UQ brain researcher honoured

University of Queensland Associate professor Nancy Pachana has been awarded the 2010 ADC ( Australian Davos Connection ) Future Summit Leadership Award for her contribution to medical understanding of how the brain ages.

A practicing clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, Dr Pachana has achieved renown for her research in the area of clinical geropsychology which is concerned primarily with the ageing process and the psychology of older adults. Geropsychology is an increasingly important area in mental health, especially with the ageing of the baby boomer population.

The awards were established in 2007 to support the Future Summit, a forum established by the Rudd government designed to bring together representatives from the community, business, academia and government to share information and ideas pertinent to the nation’s future. Winners are invited to take part in a three year Australian Leadership Award Alumni Program.

Pachana is the editor of the Australian Psychologist Journal journal, an editorial board member for Clinical Geropsychologist and a member of the Board of Directors for the International Psychogeriatric Association.