Maria Aranda, an associate professor at the USC School of Social Work and the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, has been elected a fellow in the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), as part of its Social Research, Policy and Practice Section.

Fellowship represents the highest class of membership in the society, which is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization dedicated to research, education and practice in the field of aging. The honor acknowledges an individual’s exceptional contributions and continuing work in gerontology research, teaching, administration, public service and practice.

All 38 new fellows chosen for 2012 will be recognized during GSA's 65th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego this fall.

The prestigious conference, which is considered the foremost gathering of gerontologists from the United States and around the globe, has special significance for Aranda.

“I gave my very first scientific presentation at an annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America,” Aranda said. “I realized quickly that the society was an incubator of forward-thinking scientists who were truly dedicated to the advancement of the field of aging from various vantage points—from basic science to applied policy analysis.”

She has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on a range of behavioral trials and epidemiological surveys, gaining a reputation for her work on problem-solving therapy with older and middle-aged Latinos and its efficacy as treatment for depression.

Aranda holds a joint appointment with the USC Davis School of Gerontology and has served on local and national boards and committees dedicated to the enhancement of practice, policy, research and advocacy related to underserved minority populations. Most recently, she was appointed to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on the Mental Health Workforce for Geriatric Populations.

Last year, the Council on Social Work Education Mentor Recognition Fund honored Aranda at its annual meeting in Atlanta for helping to advance women in social work education.