TC’s George Bonanno Named 2025 AAAS Fellow

March 27, 2026 - 03:51

Dr. George Bonanno, a leading psychologist at Columbia University, has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This prestigious distinction recognizes his decades of pioneering research that has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of how humans cope with loss and extreme adversity.

Bonanno's work has challenged long-held assumptions, demonstrating through rigorous longitudinal studies that resilience is a common and natural human response to potentially traumatic events. His research has provided crucial insights into the diverse pathways of grief and recovery, moving beyond a focus on pathology to identify the strengths and flexibility inherent in the human psyche.

His contributions have had a profound impact on clinical practice and public health, offering a more nuanced and hopeful framework for supporting individuals through crises. The AAAS fellowship honors members for their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science. Bonanno’s election acknowledges his exceptional scholarship in illuminating the psychological mechanisms of resilience, work that continues to inform interventions and policies worldwide.