As an effective mentor, Munro Cullum, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurological Surgery, and Neurology, is quick to share his own formula for success with trainees.

“Being collegial and excited about the work you do is key. Talent matters, but enthusiasm, dedication, and being genuine are essential mentoring qualities. I also advise surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you are – an approach that has worked well for me throughout my career,” Dr. Cullum advises.

In honor of his mentoring excellence, the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) and the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (SCN) selected Dr. Cullum for the 2026 Karen Postal Outstanding Mentorship Award. The award recognizes the dedication and impact of a neuropsychologist with a distinguished record of guiding, teaching, advising, and encouraging students and colleagues.

“It is truly humbling to be recognized in this way by two of the largest neuropsychological organizations, but what touches me most is knowing that former trainees initiated the nomination,” said Dr. Cullum, who serves as Vice Chair for Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Senior Neuropsychologist in the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, and Scientific Director of the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium.

Throughout his 32 years at UT Southwestern, Dr. Cullum has always had trainees – graduate students, interns, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty within and outside neuropsychology – working alongside him. While his formal trainees top 100 at UTSW, his mentoring reach stretches well beyond campus.

“His mentorship has had a profound and lasting impact on my professional development, and I can say with confidence that my career as a neuropsychologist would have taken a very different path without his guidance,” said Christian LoBue, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurological Surgery and an Investigator in the O’Donnell Brain Institute.

“Dr. Cullum’s mentoring style is characterized by an extraordinary ability to inspire and bring out the best in his trainees,” Dr. LoBue continued. “He frequently recommends his mentees for speaking engagements, even when he already has the presentations prepared – an act that speaks volumes about his selflessness and commitment to elevating others.”

After earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at UT Austin, Dr. Cullum completed his internship and postdoctoral residency in clinical neuropsychology at the University of California San Diego and the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 1994, becoming UTSW’s first board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. Dr. Cullum is one of the nation’s leading experts on concussion, with decades of research and clinical experience focused on the short- and long-term effects of sports-related brain injuries. His lab has helped advance the understanding, diagnosis, and management of concussion among athletes and other patient populations.

“I’m very proud of the clinical, educational, and research programs in neuropsychology that we’ve been able to develop over the past 32 years at UT Southwestern, and the mentoring piece has always been a central part of this mission,” Dr. Cullum said. “I really love seeing mentees grow in their skills, confidence, and independence and achieve their career goals.”