Northeastern University professor honored with prestigious American Psychological Association award - Northeastern University College of Science

Laurel Gabard-Durnam wants to understand how the brain adapts to new experiences, but she also wants to use that understanding to “do good in the world,” she says.

Her research has focused on the development of the young brain and its malleability, as well as creating practical applications for public health and clinical interventions.

Now, Gabard-Durnam, an assistant professor of psychology at Northeastern University, is the 2026 awardee of the Boyd McCandless Award from the American Psychological Association. The award honors early-career scientists for making significant contributions to the field of developmental psychology. Gabard-Durnam’s contributions include an open-source electroencephalography program and a deeper understanding of brain plasticity in humans.

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