Dr. Torabi has focused his research in measurement and evaluation of both public health and school health education programs, including, but not limited to, factors associated with specific health practices. Individual decision making related to HIV/AIDS risk-taking behavior, drug abuse, and cancer risk-taking and cancer screening practices all represent directions in which his research interests have been attracted. These efforts have produced approximately 70 publications in peer-reviewed journals, along with numerous monographs, technical reports, book chapters, proceedings, and abstracts. His work has been presented throughout the world, and he has many invited and keynote presentations to his credit. His more-than- 30 grants and contracts for which he has served as principal investigator or co-investigator well exceed 1 million dollars in total funding.

Because of his work in the area of HIV/AIDS, Dr. Torabi was awarded the William L. Yarber Endowed Professorship in Health Education in 1998 by Indiana University. A year earlier, he was named Chancellor's Professor of Applied Health Science and was inducted into the Indiana University Alliance of Distinguished Professors. Although these accolades are recent, such recognition has been no rare occurrence. Previously, Dr. Torabi was recipient of the American School Health Association Research Council Award (1994). He has also been named as the Midwest District Scholar of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (1994), has received the Indiana University President's Award for Distinguished Teaching (1995-96), as well as the Murray Auerbach Medal of the American Lung Association of Indiana (1993), and the Distinguished Service Award of the American School Health Association (1992). He is a Fellow of the American School Health Association and of the American Academy for Health Behavior.

Dr. Torabi is also well known for his contributions as editor of the Health Education Monograph Series of Eta Sigma Gamma, and research editor of the Journal of School Health, and the American Journal of Health Behavior. In addition, his national presence is felt through his board membership of the American Association for Health Education and his membership in the National Executive Committee of Eta Sigma Gamma. Finally, he is Vice President for the North American Region of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education.

Recent research activities and publications emanate from his role as co-director of the Rural Center for the Study and Promotion of HIV/STD Prevention, a center funded by the US Department of Agriculture. These publications can be found in the Health Education Monograph Series, the Journal of Health Education, and elsewhere.

Dr. Torabi demonstrates clearly and emphatically that scholarship is multidimensional and that research endeavors have, perhaps, their greatest impact and effectiveness when combined with excellence in teaching and public and professional service. Dr. Torabi has personified excellence in scholarship, and it is a privilege to report these achievements Inside the Academy.

Am J Health Behav 2000;24(2):151