Houston Daily

UH Psychology Professor Elena Grigorenko has been awarded the 2025 Esther Farfel Award, the University of Houston's highest faculty honor. Grigorenko, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology, receives this accolade in recognition of her contributions to research, teaching, and service at UH.

"Receiving the Esther Farfel Award is a profound honor," Grigorenko stated. "This recognition reflects the collective efforts of my colleagues, students and the entire University of Houston community. I am inspired to continue our shared pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and service."

Grigorenko has been with UH for a decade and has received significant funding for her research on child and adolescent learning and developmental disorders from various organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Education.

"The Farfel Award is presented annually to those faculty who are transforming their respective disciplines through groundbreaking research, teaching excellence and service to the community," said Diane Z. Chase, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at UH. "Elena Grigorenko exemplifies all of the above and is richly deserving of this honor. We're pleased to acknowledge her hard work and dedication to our institution."

Grigorenko, who holds two Ph.D. degrees from Moscow State University and Yale University, was previously awarded a UH Faculty Excellence Award in 2021. Her career includes extensive publications in peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters.

"Dr. Grigorenko embodies the very best of what it means to be a scholar at the University of Houston," stated Dan O'Connor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. "Her groundbreaking research, tireless mentorship and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and professional service have made a lasting impact on our university community and the world. The Farfel Award is a fitting recognition of her extraordinary contributions, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate her achievements."

The Farfel Award, established in 1979, honors the memory of Esther Farfel, wife of the longtime UH System Board of Regents Chair Aaron Farfel.