David Penn

David L. Penn is the Linda Wagner-Martin Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Senior Visiting Fellow at Australian Catholic University. His research focuses on social cognition and psychosocial treatments for schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Research interests encompass therapeutic interventions for psychosis, culturally adapted treatments, and neurocognitive aspects of severe mental illness. His work has been supported by NIMH, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, and Stanley Foundation.

Articles predominantly explore schizophrenia interventions, social cognition, and clinical trials from 2021-2025, with consistent focus on therapeutic efficacy and cognitive mechanisms.

Awards:

• 2019 ABCT Trailblazer Award
• 2021 Highly Cited Researcher (top 1% globally)
• 2013 Beckman Mentorship Award
• Top Lab recognition by Journal of Clinical Psychology

Directs research on psychosocial interventions including PACE-Life walking therapy and culturally tailored programs for Black Americans with psychosis. Leads the Penn Lab focused on social cognition in schizophrenia.