Karlene Ball, Ph.D., university professor in the Department of PsychologyKarlene Ball, Ph.D., university professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Psychology, was selected to receive the Award for the Advancement of Psychology and Aging from the American Psychological Association.

Ball’s impactful contribution to psychology and aging across multiple areas including policy, education and practice earned her this recognition. Her cognitive training intervention has been successfully translated based on hundreds of published studies and is now widely available through BrainHQ, a neuroplasticity-based computer exercise app, which has been used by millions of people across the globe.

“It is a great honor to receive this award from the American Psychological Association,” Ball said. “I have been working on ways to improve cognitive function in older adults for my entire career of 45 years thus far, and to see the results have a positive impact has made me very happy.”

Ball’s current research is focused on improving the effects of cognitive training on everyday function by combining a variety of techniques. She and her colleagues are working with populations who may experience cognitive impairment for reasons in addition to aging, such as multiple sclerosis and dementia, to improve their everyday function.

The Award for the Advancement of Psychology and Aging is given annually to those who have made significant contributions to the Committee on Aging.