Karyn Purvis, Ph.D., (deceased) was the director of the TCU Institute of Child Development. She devoted the past decade to developing research-based interventions for at-risk children. Dr. Purvis co-authored (along with Dr. David Cross) the best-selling adoption book, The Connected Child. She received numerous awards and honors, including the T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. Infant Mental Health Advocacy Award, the title of Distinguished Fellow in Adoption and Child Development bestowed by The National Council for Adoption, and the James Hammerstein Award, given annually to honor someone who has displayed outstanding dedication to children in need. Dr. Purvis lost a battle with cancer and passed away in April, 2016.