Michael Twohig Presents 2025 D. Wynne Thorne Lecture

Michael Twohig gave the 2025 D. Wynne Thorne Lecture to an audience of colleagues, students and other members of Utah State’s research community on Oct. 28.

Twohig, the recipient of the 2025 D. Wynne Thorne Career Research Award, is a professor in the combined clinical/counseling Ph.D. specialization in the Department of Psychology and the co-director of the Utah State University ACT Research Group.

He opened his presentation by thanking the people who have supported him throughout his career, and by recognizing the strength of research and of character he’s experienced at Utah State University.

“People have always tried to solve things and make them better,” he said, “There is no one person, no one USU, but people have always backed me up.”

Beginning his career in Utah State’s Department of Psychology in 2007, Dr. Twohig reflected on the unique challenges and opportunities present in his field of research.

The ideas studied in psychology are “never going to be that precise,” he said.

“We study thinking,” he said. “We dig into issues like trichotillomania, and you can spend your whole career on that little thing.”

Because of the breadth and complexity of his field, Twohig emphasized the importance of assembling a strong research team.

“A collaborator who can help you accomplish things isn’t enough,” he said. “Life is short; you have to enjoy the process. See who you are, and see what you need to fill in your team. People who fill in the things you aren’t good at are so much better for you.”

Mentoring graduate students has become a significant part of Twohig’s career. He took this opportunity to share some of the advice he’s learned during his career with the number of graduate students present at the lecture.

“Enjoy this time to make mistakes, to jump in, to do silly things, to ask for help,” he told them. “I help [my grad students] be successful, and then I’m more successful than I’ve ever been.

“I orient my time towards things I find interesting and meaningful,” Twohig said. “If I won the lottery, I would still do this.”

The D. Wynne Thorne Lecture is sponsored by Utah State University’s Office of Research.

Named after the first vice president for research at USU, the D. Wynne Thorne Career Research Award is given annually to an individual who has completed outstanding research in their career and has done the majority of their work at USU. It is the most prestigious research award given out at this university. The recipient is invited to speak at the D. Wynne Thorne Lecture.

For more information about the award, or to view the previous recipients, visit the D. Wynne Thorne Career Research Award website.