Last updated on: 10/12/2010 | Author: ProCon.org

Sandra A. Brown, PhD Biography

Title:
Professor of Psychology at University of California at San Diego
Position:
Con to the question "Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?"
Reasoning:

“One of the most successful interventions has been the adoption of age 21 as the legal drinking age… The National Highway Traffic Administration estimates that a legal drinking age of 21 has prevented greater than 21,000 deaths since 1976. Furthermore, zero-tolerance laws, which make it illegal for drivers less than 21 years of age to drive after any drinking, have been associated with approximately 20% decreases in alcohol-related crashes and DWIs.

Cowritten with J. Schulenberg, et al,”A Developmental Perspective on Alcohol and Youths 16 to 20 Years of Age,” Pediatrics, Apr. 12, 2008
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Professor, Psychology, University of California at San Diego, 1996-present
  • Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 1994-present
  • Chief of the Psychology Service, VA Health Services, San Diego, CA, 1994-present
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, 1985-present
  • Board of Directors, American Psychological Association Council of Representatives, 2004-2006
  • Chair, Joint Doctoral Training Program Steering Committee, 2003-2006
  • Board of Directors, Research Society on Alcoholism, 2002-2005
  • Member, National Advisory Council, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2002-2004
  • Member and Chair, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Initial Review Group, 1991-1996
  • Associate Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 1990-1994
  • Clinical Research Psychologist, Psychology Service, VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 1992-1993
  • Director, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Clinical Team, VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 1991-1993
  • Director of Psychological Services, Alcohol Treatment Program, VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 1984-1993
  • Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 1984-1990
  • Acting Assistant Chief, Psychology Service, VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 1987-1988
Education:
  • PhD, Psychology, Wayne State University, 1981
  • MA, Psychology, Wayne State University, 1978
  • BA, Math and Psychology, Hope College, 1975
Other:
  • Fellow, Division 12, American Psychological Association, 1993-present
  • Fellow, Division 12, American Psychological Association, 1992-present
  • Winner, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism MERIT Award, 2000-2009
  • Recipient, Top Producers of Scholarly Publications in Clinical Psychology PhD Programs Award, 2007
  • Recipient, Chancellor’s Associates Research Award, University of California at San Diego, 2006
  • President, Division 50, American Psychological Association, 1998-1999
  • Recipient, Division 50 Scientific Contribution Award, American Psychological Association, 1997
  • Board of Directors, Division 50, American Psychological Association, 1994-1996
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, 1982-1984
  • Recipient, Graduate Faculty Research Award, Northern Illinois University, 1983
  • Recipient, Graduate/Professional Scholarship, Wayne State University, 1976-1979
  • Wayne State University Graduate Fellowship, 1975-1979
  • Phi Beta Kappa, 1975
  • Recipient, Presidential Scholarship, Hope College, 1971-1975
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?