A psychologist who studies the effects of personality and social factors on cardiovascular health will be honored this week as a distinguished alumnus of the Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Kansas.

Tim Smith, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of Utah, will return to his alma mater to accept the 1949 Award for distinguished alumni from the program, based in the Department of Psychology. The award’s name recognizes the year the program was first accredited by the American Psychological Association.

As part of events recognizing Smith, he’ll present a public lecture, “Getting Along, Getting Ahead and Cardiovascular Health: An Interpersonal Perspective on Risk and Resilience.” The lecture is 5 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the Malott Room of the Kansas Union. The event is free and open to the public.

Smith received master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and clinical psychology from KU in 1980 and 1982. He received his bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College in 1977.

Smith has been on the psychology faculty at the University of Utah since 1983. In the most broad sense, his research focuses on the ways personality and social interactions shape individuals and how they’re influenced by social contexts, especially in terms of their risk for serious illness. He is a prolific researcher and author, evidenced by a lengthy list of publication credits. He has been recognized for teaching, research and service by the University of Utah and national organizations, including the American Psychological Association.

The Department of Psychology is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which encourages learning without boundaries in its more than 50 departments, programs and centers. Through innovative research and teaching, the College emphasizes interdisciplinary education, global awareness and experiential learning. The College is KU’s broadest, most diverse academic unit.