Avhasei Dorothy Meregi | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award

Avhasei Dorothy Meregi | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi, Department of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, South Africa

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi is a dedicated sports scientist from Tshiulungoma village, Limpopo, South Africa 🇿🇦. She holds a BSc in Sport Science 🎓 from the University of Venda, an MPhil in Sport Science 🏃‍♀️ from the University of Johannesburg, and is pursuing her PhD in Human Movement Sciences at the University of Zululand 📚. With extensive experience in sports performance assessment, adolescent health, and athlete development, she has contributed to both research and academia 👩‍🏫. A fluent speaker of Sepedi, Tshivenda, and English 🗣️, she is passionate about inclusive sports education and has made significant impacts through her teaching and community engagement 💪🌍.

Profile

Education 🎓

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi began her academic journey at Liivha Combined School, where she completed Grade 12 in 2006 🎓. She earned a BSc in Sport Science (Honours equivalent) from the University of Venda in 2011 🏃‍♀️, followed by an Advanced Diploma in Sport Management from the same university in 2019 📊. That same year, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (Teaching and Learning) from the University of Stellenbosch 🎓📚. Her passion for sports science led her to complete an MPhil in Sport Science at the University of Johannesburg in 2019 🧠🏅.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi has built a dynamic professional path rooted in sports science and athlete development. Her journey includes an impactful internship at the National Research Foundation 🎓 and hands-on experience at the Limpopo Academy of Sports 🏟️. She has developed specialized training and nutrition programs 🍎💪, conducted detailed performance assessments 📊, and contributed to athlete monitoring and development at the provincial level. Her practical experience with diverse sports codes and commitment to evidence-based strategies underscore her dedication to enhancing athletic performance and promoting physical health in communities 🤝⚽.

Research Interests 🔬

Mrs. Avhasei Dorothy Meregi’s research focus lies in adaptive physical activity, adolescent health, and inclusive sports participation. Her work, including the study titled “We Just Improvise”, explores the barriers and innovative approaches used by teachers to engage learners with intellectual disabilities in rural South African communities 🌍. She emphasizes equitable access to sports 🏀 and the importance of tailored physical education programs 🏫. Her research contributes significantly to disability-inclusive education, sport science, and community-based interventions 👩‍🔬🤸‍♂️. Through qualitative insights and practical strategies, she advances health promotion and social inclusion for vulnerable youth populations.

Publications 

  • We Just Improvise”: Exploring Teachers’ Perspectives on Sport Participation for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities in Rural South Africa

Síbila Floriano Landim | Cognitive Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award

Dr Síbila Floriano Landim |  Cognitive Rehabilitation | Best Researcher Award 

Docente Pesquisador at Universidade de Talca, Brazil

 

Síbila Floriano Landim is an accomplished Occupational Therapist specializing in Hand Rehabilitation and Pain Management. She holds a Doctorate and a Master’s degree in Clinical Medicine with a focus on Rheumatology from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Additionally, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). Her extensive academic background includes specializations from UNICAMP and the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCAR).Síbila has a robust teaching portfolio, having served as an instructor and tutor at UNICAMP, a professor at the University of Sorocaba, and currently as an Assistant Professor and Researcher at the University of Talca. Her research interests focus on systemic sclerosis, hand rehabilitation, and augmentative and alternative communication, with ongoing projects at both UNICAMP and the University of Talca. She is fluent in English and Spanish, in addition to her native Portuguese.

professional profile:

Education 🎓

The individual has pursued extensive higher education, specializing in Occupational Therapy and Clinical Medicine. They completed a specialization in Occupational Therapy with a focus on Hand Rehabilitation, earning the title of Hand Therapist from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Campinas, Brazil. This program spanned from February 2010 to February 2011 and encompassed 3,592 hours of study. Additionally, they pursued an Interdisciplinary Specialization Course in Pain at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCAR), earning the title of Pain Specialist. This course lasted from February 2020 to April 2022, with a duration of 2,392 hours. The individual also holds advanced academic degrees in Clinical Medicine with a specialization in Rheumatology. They completed their Doctorate in Clinical Medicine (CAPES 5) at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Campinas, Brazil, from February 2017 to September 2021. Prior to this, they obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Medicine (CAPES 5), also specializing in Rheumatology, from UNICAMP, which they pursued from February 2015 to February 2017. Their academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy with a generalist specialization from the University of Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP) in São José dos Campos, Brazil, completed between February 2007 and February 2011.

Teaching Experience 💼

You have extensive teaching experience in the field of Occupational Therapy across various institutions. At UNICAMP, you served as a tutor in Rehabilitation and Public Health practices in 2015 and later in practices related to Augmentative and Alternative Communication in 2017. Additionally, you were an instructor in the Occupational Therapy Specialization Course in Hand Rehabilitation from 2011 to 2017. From 2017 to 2020, you worked as an undergraduate professor at the University of Sorocaba, where you taught Occupational Therapy. Moving forward, you were responsible for delivering both theoretical and practical classes in Occupational Therapy at the Catholic University of Temuco from 2021 to 2023. Currently, you hold the position of Assistant Professor and Researcher in Occupational Therapy at the University of Talca, where you have been contributing since 2022.

research experience🧠

During my research tenure, I have been involved in several significant projects across various institutions. From 2015 to 2017, I served as a researcher at UNICAMP, where I contributed to a project focused on developing guidelines and exercises for systemic sclerosis. My work continued at UNICAMP from 2017 onward, where I have been a researcher in a controlled study on the application of guidelines and exercises specifically designed for the hands in Systemic Sclerosis. Additionally, from 2017 to 2018, I supervised a project at the University of Sorocaba titled “Giving Voice through C.S.A: Occupational Therapy Intervention Experience,” which explored the impact of occupational therapy interventions. Currently, I am an Assistant Researcher at the University of Talca, where I am involved in the application process for the Fondef Idea grant, starting in 2023.

 

Conclusion

Síbila Floriano Landim’s academic background, teaching experience, and extensive research contributions make her a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work has significantly impacted the fields of occupational therapy and clinical medicine, particularly in the areas of systemic sclerosis and pain management. Síbila’s dedication to advancing knowledge, combined with her strong publication record and active participation in academic conferences, underscore her qualifications for this prestigious recognition.

publication: