Sylia Wilson, PhD, an assistant professor in the Institute of Child Development, is a 2020-22 recipient of the McKnight Land-Grant Professorship. This highly-competitive, two-year professorship aims to support assistant professors at a critical point in their careers. 

Wilson leads the Family Cognitive Affective Neurodevelopment (Fam CAN) Lab, which examines the cause of mental illness, particularly severe depression and substance abuse, and the process of development of psychopathology from young ages. She uses twin, adoption, and family studies to understand the developmental processes that lead to mental illness and transmission through families. 

Wilson and all other 2020-22 McKnight Land-Grant Professors will gather in Coffman Union on May 5 for a celebratory event with current and past McKnight Land-Grant and Distinguished Professors and invited guests.