Celebrating Dan Mroczek’s Contributions to Science and Mentorship

August 20, 2025

By: Julie A. Bednark

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Medical Social Sciences is proud to celebrate a banner year for Professor Dan Mroczek, PhD, Division Chief of Determinants of Health, whose extraordinary contributions to personality research and mentorship have been recognized with three major honors—all within the span of six remarkable days.

First, Dan was elected President of the Association for Research in Personality (ARP), one of the two most prestigious international organizations in the field. He delivered his presidential address at ARP’s 25th anniversary meeting in June 2025, where he invited the next generation of scholars to envision what the field might become by its golden anniversary in 2050. His reflections not only honored the legacy of personality science, but also served as an intergenerational call to action—a moment that left a lasting impression on attendees.

The very next day, Dan was honored with the Martica Hall Mentoring Award from the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research. The award, named after a beloved mentor and scholar in health psychology, recognizes Dan’s lifelong dedication to supporting and uplifting the next generation of scientists. As he humbly shared, he is equally grateful to those who mentored him and to those he’s mentored—highlighting the interdependence and reciprocity at the heart of academic life.

Just a few days later, Dan received perhaps the most significant recognition of his career: the Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Association of Personality Psychology. As only the second American in the association’s 45-year history to receive this honor, the distinction speaks to his international impact on the field. In his virtual address, Dan reflected on the “randomness” of a career path, emphasizing the unpredictable twists and turns that make each scholar’s journey unique. His message to early-career researchers was clear: even if the road ahead looks different from what you imagined, it can still be deeply meaningful and fulfilling.

While Dan is quick to downplay accolades, noting that his career has been more about the “journey” than the recognition, these awards underscore what those around him already know—he is a leader of quiet integrity, a scholar of global stature, and a mentor whose impact ripples far beyond his own accomplishments.

On behalf of the Department of Medical Social Sciences, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dan Mroczek. His humility, vision, and commitment to others exemplify the very best of our field. We are honored to call him a colleague.