Peter A. Lichtenberg, Ph.D. is the Director of both the Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute and the Founding Director of the Wayne State University Lifespan Alliance. Dr. Lichtenberg is also a Professor of Psychology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is a clinical psychologist and obtained his Ph.D. at Purdue University in 1986 and completed post doctoral training in geriatric neuropsychology from the University of Virginia. Dr. Lichtenberg received his diplomate in Rehabilitation Psychology in 1997. Dr.Lichtenberg has been at Wayne State University since 1991 first as the Associate Director of Psychology at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and since 1998 as the Director of the Institute of Gerontology.

Dr. Lichtenberg has enhanced the Institute of Gerontology's research, education and community outreach. Since 2001 the Institute of Gerontology has maintained a high level of research grant and publication productivity exceeding previous high funding marks by 300%. He founded the IOG Pre-doctoral training program in aging and urban health and has been the PI on a National Institute of Aging training grant  2001-2012; helping to train nearly 50 doctoral students in an intensive aging research program. He created the Art of Aging conference and the Healthier Black Elders Annual Health Reception, and has overseen the growth of the community outreach for older adults and for the professionals who work with them. Dr. Lichtenberg created the first fund development efforts of the Institute of Gerontology in 2004 and works with a strong Board of Visitors to enhance these efforts.

Dr. Lichtenberg is the author of six books including the acclaimed Handbook of Assessment in Clinical Gerontology (2nd edition), Handbook of Dementia (2003), Mental Health Practice in Geriatric Health Care Settings (1998) and A Guide to psychological Practice in Geriatric Long Term Care (1994). He has authored or co-authored over 150 peer review journal articles. His particular areas of research include mental health in long term care, geriatric depression, geriatric psychology and medical rehabilitation and the early detection and management of Alzheimer's Disease. Emerging research includes financial decision making, Perceived Cognitive Impairment,  victims of fraud and kinship care.

Dr. Lichtenberg has been awarded many distinctions including the 1996 Early Career Award in Rehabilitation Psychology, Fellowship in the Gerontological Society of America and the American Psychological Association, the Outstanding Contribution Award for Psychologists in Long Term Care, and both the 2001 Distinguished Faculty Award and Outstanding Mentor Award at Wayne State University. In 2002, he was the first educator to be given the Alzheimer's Advocate Award. In 2004, on behalf of the IOG, he accepted community honors from the Area Agency on Aging 1C and Wayne County. In 2006 he was awarded the Harry Kelly Award for outstanding leadership in Gerontology. In 2009 he was awarded the Anthony DeVito award from the University of Michigan and given a Citation for Outstanding work with the Dementia Coalition of Michigan from the Michigan Governor. In 2011 he was awarded the John Santos award for outstanding program achievements from the APA Division of Adult Development and Aging. In 2012 the APA Committee on Aging awarded him the Advancement of Psychology and Aging Award and in 2013 the Elder Law of Michigan Association awarded him a Call to Justice Leadership Award.

Nationally and locally Dr. Lichtenberg has served on many community boards and held office in several professional organizations including Chair of Michigan Dementia Coalition 1999-2010. Dr. Lichtenberg was the Chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences Section of the Gerontological Society of America (2007), Chair of the APA Committee on Aging (2008) and a member of the APA Presidential Task Force on Integrated Care for an Aging Population, and President of the Adult Development and Aging Section of the American Psychological Association in 2010. Dr. Lichtenberg currently serves on the Board of Directors to create a specialty in Geropsychology (ABPP).