As the nation turns its attention to Mental Health Awareness Month, one Prairie View A&M University professor is shining a light on the intersection of psychology, technology, and social justice. Dr. Anne Lippert, an assistant professor of psychology at the Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant exceeding $90,000 to advance her pioneering research in mental health and education.

This significant federal investment reflects a growing commitment to addressing long-overlooked mental health disparities and underscores Prairie View A&M University’s rising influence as a hub for research that bridges academia and real-world impact.

Shaping Minds, Changing Systems

Dr. Lippert’s work explores how people interpret and respond to information—particularly in emotionally and socially complex situations. Her current research zeroes in on the effects of stereotypes, bias, and victim shaming, with a sharp focus on the psychological toll these dynamics take in cases such as sexual assault.

At the heart of her research is a mission to build tools that challenge harmful narratives and empower healing. Using cutting-edge technologies—including virtual reality, intelligent tutoring systems, and AI-driven learning agents—Dr. Lippert’s approach is both deeply human and brilliantly tech-forward.

By simulating real-world experiences, her immersive learning environments aim to transform the way individuals perceive sensitive topics, fostering empathy and critical thinking. These tools have the potential to improve mental health outcomes, disrupt cycles of bias, and support more inclusive educational practices.

A Bold Vision for Inclusive Mental Health

What sets Dr. Lippert’s work apart is her unique ability to merge machine learning, natural language processing, and statistical modeling with psychological research. Her team’s interdisciplinary efforts are designed not only to deepen academic understanding but to shape policies and design programs that uplift vulnerable populations and close critical gaps in access to care.

As mental health challenges rise among students, survivors, and underserved communities, the urgency for innovative interventions has never been greater.

Prairie View A&M at the Forefront

Dr. Lippert’s NIH award is a milestone that adds to Prairie View A&M University’s growing reputation as a research powerhouse committed to equity, innovation, and impact. As Texas’s largest historically Black university, PVAMU continues to lead transformative work that amplifies underrepresented voices and changes lives.

“This grant supports more than just research—it supports the future of mental health,” said a PVAMU spokesperson. “Dr. Lippert’s efforts will ripple far beyond the lab, influencing classrooms, courtrooms, and communities across the country.”

For more info, visit http://www.pvamu.edu