Louis Penner
Position Title
Professor Emeritus
Population Science
Education Training
Education
(1969) Ph.D. Social Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
(1966) M.A. Social Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
(1964) B.A. Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Professional Experience
Faculty Appointments
(2010-2019) Professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University Population Sciences and Health Disparities Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI
(2003-Present) Emeritus Professor, Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(2003-Present) Adjunct Research Scientist; Research Center for Group Dynamics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
(2003-2010) Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
(2000-2003) Chair, University Institutional Review Board (Social and Behavioral)
(1986-1993) Chair, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1984-1985) Associate Chair, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1978-2003) Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1973-1978) Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
(1969-1973) Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Major Professional Societies
American Psychological Association
American Psychological Society
International Psycho-Oncology Society
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Society of Experimental Social Psychology (Fellow)
Society for Behavioral Medicine
Honors and Awards
(2014) Kales' Award in Oncology Research, WSU/Karmanos Cancer Institute
(2014) College Teaching Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine
(2013) Fellow Society of Personality and Social Psychology
(2010) College Teaching Award WSU School of Medicine
(2010) Fellow, Society of Experimental Social Psychology
(2005) Outstanding Service Award Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
(2003) Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida
(2000) Fellow, American Psychological Society
(1999) Fellow, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
(1996) Professorial Excellence Award University of South Florida
Research Interests
My current research focuses on how personal attributes and social factors affect the quality of the health care people receive and their ability to cope with life-threatening illnesses. Within this general area, I focus on racial/ethnic health care disparities and how race-related attitudes may affect the quality of care patients receive. Related to this, I study clinical communication in oncology settings and social determinants of accrual to clinical trials. My other major research interest is differences in how children and their families cope with pediatric cancer. In this context, I explore the role of personal attributes and social factors in reactions to cancer treatments. Finally, I continue to have an interest in prosocial behavior, Links to the Prosocial Personality Battery (PSB) are below.