Barbara Thompson Excellence in Research Award Finalists Announced

The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University is proud to announce the finalists for the 2022 Barbara Thompson Excellence in Research on Military and Veteran Families Award. Established in 2015, this prestigious award recognizes outstanding research efforts that enhance understanding, policies, and practices affecting military and veteran families. 

This year’s finalists, selected for their significant contributions to military family research, include: 

  • Marriage checkup in integrated primary care: A randomized controlled trial with active-duty military couples. Authored by Jeffrey Cigrang, James V. Cordova, Tatiana D. Gray, Ashley L. Fedynich, Emily Maher, Abby N. Diehl, and Matt Hawrilenko 
  • A trauma-informed, family-centered, virtual home visiting program for young children: One-year outcomes. Authored by Catherine Mogil, Nastassia Hajal, Hilary Aralis, Blair Paley, Norweeta G. Milburn, Wendy Barrera, Cara Kiff, William Beardslee, and Patricia Lester. 
  • Families serve too: Military spouse well-being after separation from active-duty service. Authored by Nida Corry, Rayan Joneydi, Hope S. McMaster, Christianna S. Williams, Shirley Glynn, Christopher Spera, and Valerie A. Stander. 
  • Longitudinal associations among service members’ PTSD symptoms, partner accommodation, and partner distress. Authored by Steffany Fredman, Yunying Le, Keith D. Renshaw, and Elizabeth S. Allen. 
  • Evidence for excess familial clustering of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the US Veterans Genealogy resource. Authored by Lisa Cannon-Albright, Jennifer Romesser, Craig C. Teerlink, Alun Thomas, and Lawrence J. Meyer. 

Each finalist has demonstrated excellence in research, significantly contributing to the visibility of military and veteran family issues, enhancing the impact of scientific evidence on related programs and policies, and fostering connections between researchers and practitioners in this important field. Learn more about this year’s finalists and the history of the award online. 

The public invited to join us in celebrating these remarkable scholars at the award ceremony on December 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) headquarters in Arlington, Va. The morning portion will reveal the overall winner for the award and feature a presentation of their research findings. A panel discussion with all finalists will follow where the authors will discuss their research and its implications.  

The afternoon will feature a special discussion on potential policy and programming opportunities with a panel of experts from the National Military Family Association, the Military Children Education Coalition, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Our Military Kids. 

The morning portion of the event will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. Registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance.  

RSVP for this event.