Congratulations to Daniel W. McNeil, Ph.D., who was elected as a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, or APS, as one of 37 new Fellows internationally in the class of 2026.
McNeil joined the University of Florida College of Dentistry faculty in 2022 and is the Parker E. Mahan Endowed Professor and chair of the Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science.
Throughout his career, he has focused on the field of “Behavioral Dentistry.” One of the principal architects of the international 2022 Consensus Statement on Future Directions for the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Oral Health, his career has focused on behavioral and social aspects of oral health.
McNeil was nominated for this prestigious honor by colleagues within, and external to, the UF College of Dentistry. His recommenders said, “The primary focus of Dr. McNeil’s scientific contributions has been in transdisciplinary behavioral and social aspects of dentistry. He is the rare clinical researcher whose work seamlessly crosses the typical divide between basic and applied science.” They also noted that he “is a consummate scholar who is devoted not only to science, but to community and professional service, academic administration, and to teaching and other work with students. His accomplishments, specifically in health psychology and behavioral dentistry, have advanced the field and will improve quality of life.”
The APS has over 26,000 members worldwide. These members are psychological scientists and academics, researchers, clinicians, and teachers across more than 80 countries, dedicated to advancing scientific psychology.
Fellows of APS are selected annually through a highly discerning, peer-review process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced psychological science. Fellow status is awarded to APS members who have made sustained outstanding contributions to the science of psychology in the areas of research, teaching, service, and/or application. Fellow status is typically awarded for one’s scientific contributions. Candidates are considered only after 10 years of postdoctoral experience.