DeKALB — Angela Grippo, an assistant professor of psychology at Northern Illinois University, has won a major national award for her research into the link between depression and cardiovascular disease in animals.

The American Psychological Association will present Grippo with one of its prestigious 2012 APA Distinguished Scientific Awards at its convention in August. The association classifies the awards “among the highest honors for scientific achievement by psychologists.”

Grippo is one of six researchers who will receive the Award for Distinguished Early Career Scientific Contribution to Psychology. The award recognizes excellent psychologists in early stages of their research careers.