
Professor Fredrickson is being honored for “exceptional contributions to the well-being of humanity.” Her research shows that positive emotions such a joy, gratitude, and love can have long-term positive effects on health. The Tang Prize includes a $100,000 award.
Professor Fredrickson joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006. She is the author of Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the Upward Spiral That Will Change Your Life (Harmony, 2009) and Love 2.0: Finding Happiness and Health in Moments of Connection (Plume, 2013).
Dr. Fredrickson is a summa cum laude graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she majored in psychology. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University.


