“`html

An internationally recognized psychologist with a significant history of research, teaching, and service has been conferred Florida State University’s esteemed Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Pamela Keel, Distinguished Research Professor within the Department of Psychology, has been honored by FSU faculty with the pinnacle award they can present to one of their own. She is the fifth psychologist to attain this recognition since the award was established in 1957.

“Pamela Keel’s remarkable and undeniable influence on mental health research distinguishes her as a researcher and scholar, but it’s her equal commitment to education and service that embodies what it means to be a professor,” stated FSU President Richard McCullough. “Her contributions reflect the highest aspirations we aim for as a university — research that transforms lives, service that fortifies community, and a pledge to uplift others along the way. We take pride in welcoming her into the esteemed ranks of Florida State University’s Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professors.”

Keel, who has been a part of FSU for over 16 years, was ecstatic when President McCullough reached out to share the delightful news.

“Becoming a member of this remarkable community of faculty at Florida State University is a tremendous privilege,” she expressed. “I have faith in universities as entities for growth and innovation. Florida State University accomplishes this mission by backing faculty who focus on issues where obtaining solutions will positively impact lives.”

Keel, a specialist in eating disorders and body image, has profoundly shaped the discipline of clinical psychology. Her research contributed to the acknowledgment of purging disorder as a unique diagnosis in the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), affecting the lives of millions worldwide.

“Pam is an exceptional scholar and educator who serves the university and the community remarkably well,” remarked Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “She’s also a wonderful individual and colleague who deeply cares about her fellow faculty members, her department, her college, and Florida State University. I couldn’t be more delighted for her and proud that she has been named this year’s Lawton Professor.”

“One of the observations I’ve made is that whenever I’ve been honored with an award, there’s this brief moment where you feel humbled by the recognition, combined with this sense of, ‘I must continue to earn this acknowledgment I’ve received.’ The award inspires a commitment to strive for the highest standards I can achieve.”

– Pamela Keel, 2025-2026 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor

Keel became part of FSU’s psychology department as a professor in December 2008 and received her promotion to Distinguished Research Professor a decade later. From 2013 to 2016, Keel directed the department’s APA-accredited Clinical Psychology program, securing significant federal funding for FSU.

She has served as principal investigator on various external grants surpassing $20 million in funding to FSU, excluding her role as co-principal investigator on the initial $15 million Military Suicide Research Consortium and its $20 million competitive renewal. Altogether, her funding at FSU totals over $55 million.

“Throughout my 34-year academic career, I have connected with many talented scholars and have found myself astonished at times by how much certain individuals have achieved in their lifetime,” wrote Christopher J. Patrick, Distinguished Research Professor and director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology, in his faculty nomination letter. “Some individuals appear destined for scholarly pursuits and engage in them with a passion that sets them apart — in terms of exceptional brilliance and inventive enthusiasm along with results. Dr. Keel is certainly one of those individuals.”

Highly esteemed in her field, Keel was elected a fellow of the Academy of Eating Disorders (2006), the Association for Psychological Science (2013), the American Psychological Association (2014), a member of the Academy of Science Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) (2023) and received the Leadership Award for Research from the Academy of Eating Disorders in 2019.

“Professor Keel is a globally recognized scholar in the domain of eating disorders,” Janet Kistner, vice president for Faculty Development and Advancement and professor of psychology, stated in her letter of support. “By any standard used to assess scholarly contributions, she ranks at the top. She has attained the highest distinctions in her area of expertise, is an award-winning educator and mentor, and her contributions to the university and her academic field are exceptional. In every respect, Professor Keel embodies the qualities and achievements expected of a Lawton Professor.”

The post Renowned FSU psychologist named 2025-2026 FSU Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor appeared first on Florida State University News.

“`