We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Patricia Turner to the School of Social Work as the first Bill and Julie Kellner Faculty Scholar, a position made possible by a generous gift from the Kellner family.

This appointment supports faculty whose work advances the mission of the Kellner Center for Neurogenomics, Behavior, and Society—a center dedicated to exploring how our genes, brains, and behavior intersect to shape our communities. The Kellner Center brings together the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB), the Center for Social & Behavioral Science (CSBS), and the School of Social Work (SSW) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It is housed within the Gene Networks in Neural and Developmental Plasticity (GNDP) Research theme at the IGB.

Dr. Turner joins us from Arizona State University, bringing a powerful combination of clinical expertise, research excellence, and deep dedication to social justice. Her research focuses on the psychosocial prevention and treatment of psychotic disorders, advancing understanding and care for those with serious mental illness.