Silver to Advise Homeland Security

APS Fellow and Charter Member Roxane Cohen Silver was recently named to a new nine-member national advisory panel on homeland security, the Academe and Policy Research Senior Advisory Committee.

Silver, a University of California, Irvine psychology professor and the only psychologist on the committee, is a nationally recognized expert in stress and coping. She is the principle investigator in an ongoing national study of psychological responses to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, funded by the National Science Foundation.

“The US Surgeon General and the Institute of Medicine have made it clear that considering the nation’s mental health is vitally important as we address terrorism,” Silver said. “The appointment of a psychologist … demonstrates this administration’s commitment to addressing the psychological aspects of terrorism.”

Comprised of leaders in academia, technology, and policy development, APRSAC will report to the Homeland Security Advisory Council, which advises Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

“Professor Silver’s proven expertise … will provide an asset to the homeland security mission,” said Rep. Christopher Cox, R-CA.

Silver said she was pleased to “have the opportunity to serve our nation.”