The Rising Stars award, begun in 2013, is presented to APS members in the early stages of their careers. The designation recognizes researchers whose innovative work has already advanced the field and signals great potential for their continued contributions.

“I feel heartened and grateful to be nominated for this recognition, let alone be among the outstanding awardees,” French said. “It is an honor to be recognized for my work, and to know that others see great potential in my contributions. I am excited to fulfill that trajectory as we continue to tackle questions about managing our work, family, and health needs.”

French is one of the few industrial/organizational (I/O) psychologists on this year’s Rising Stars list. I/O psychology researchers conduct scientific studies on a wide range of topics facing organizations and workplaces, including recruitment, skill acquisition and training, job behavior and performance, and workforce aging and diversity. Learn more about I/O psychology in the School of Psychology here.

"Our I/O psychology program has a distinguished history of excellence and is an intellectual powerhouse,” said Tansu Celikel, professor and chair of the School of Psychology. “Kim is a great example of our academicians who will shape the future of work psychology. She is not only a rising superstar in work psychology, but also an outstanding educator and mentor. "

About Kimberly French

French is the principal investigator of the Work Family Health Lab. Her research focuses on how people manage work and family, “and how this juggling act impacts individual and family health,” French said. “I focus particularly on physical and physiological health, as well as underrepresented and vulnerable populations, such as single mothers and shift workers. The ultimate goal is to build work-family policies and practices at work and at home that foster psychological, physical, and social health for all.”

French joined Georgia Tech in January 2018. She received her M.S. from California State University, San Bernardino, and her Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. 

About Georgia Tech 

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is a top 10 public research university developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts, and sciences degrees. Its nearly 44,000 students representing 50 states and 149 countries, study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, and through distance and online learning. As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry, and society.