Presents a short biography of the winner of the AmericanPsychological Association's Award for Distinguished Early CareerContributions to Psychology in the Public Interest. The 2012 winner isMarguerita Lightfoot for her leadership, innovation, and commitment toapplying psychological principles to develop behavioral healthinterventions for vulnerable populations, particularly homelessadolescents and racial/ethnic groups. Lightfoot's professional careerhas been dedicated to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic both in theUnited States and Africa. She pioneered the use of computer-basedinterventions based on rigorous psychological principles, including theinnovation of using text messaging and web-based social networkingforums to deliver prevention messages to youth. She is dedicated tomentoring students and new researchers as well as working hand in handwith the communities she serves in order to effect change. Lightfoot'sAward citation and a selected bibliography are also presented here.(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (Author).