McCloskey

Detroit, Mich. Dr. Laura McCloskey has been named director of Wayne State University’s Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute. Dr. McCloskey is a development psychologist with a doctorate in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and has taught at the University of Arizona, Harvard University and most recently at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice.

Dr. McCloskey has managed large and complex research projects and served as Principal Investigator on several federal awards almost continuously since 1989. Her research area is focused on the impact of domestic violence and abuse on children’s mental health, from early childhood to adolescence.

“We are pleased to have Dr. McCloskey join our newly merged Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute,” commented Dr. Gloria Heppner, interim vice president for Research at Wayne State. “Her experience will benefit this prestigious Institute that is committed to research and service in the area of child development. Her vision, commitment, and the ability to conceive and realize a world-class program of research, scholarship, and community engagement on issues that affect children and their families in a dynamic multicultural urban environment will be a tremendous benefit to the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University, the Detroit community and the State of Michigan,” Dr. Heppner added.

Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.