For identifying the harms of weight- and health-related stigma and forging new paths to reduce stigma and its adverse effects on health.

Rebecca L. Pearl, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and in Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions. Dr. Pearl directs the Body Image and Stigma Lab, which investigates appearance- and health-related stigma and associated health outcomes. Her research primarily focuses on weight stigma, with a particular interest in understanding and reducing internalized or self-directed stigma. Her work has been recognized with national awards, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and the American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology. She completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Yale University, her psychology internship at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.