Nancy Gonzales

David W. MacKinnon is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. He is recognized for his expertise in statistical methods, particularly mediation analysis, and their applications in prevention and intervention research. MacKinnon earned his Ph.D. in psychology from UCLA and has contributed extensively to the development and dissemination of statistical techniques for behavioral science research.

MacKinnon’s research focuses on quantitative methods, including mediation, moderation, and causal inference, with a special emphasis on evaluating the mechanisms through which interventions achieve their effects. He has published more than 200 articles, chapters and books, including the influential text, Introduction to Statistical Mediation Analysis. His work has been widely cited and has shaped best practices in prevention science and program evaluation.

He has served as principal investigator on numerous federally funded grants and has provided statistical training to researchers across the country. MacKinnon is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. He has received several awards, including the Nan Tobler Award from the Society for Prevention Research and the Methodological Innovator Award from the National Institutes of Health.

At ASU, MacKinnon teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in statistics and research methods, mentoring students in advanced quantitative techniques. He is committed to advancing rigorous, transparent, and reproducible research in psychology and related fields.