Dr. Yaira Hamama-Raz | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Yaira Hamama-Raz is a distinguished scholar and practitioner in psycho-oncology and social work, currently serving as a full professor at Ariel University’s School of Social Work. Her academic journey spans from a BA to a PhD at Tel Aviv University, with postdoctoral training at the Adler Research Center. With over three decades of clinical and academic experience, she has contributed extensively to understanding psychological resilience, adjustment to cancer, and trauma. Beyond teaching, she actively participates in institutional and national scientific committees, enhancing the academic and clinical landscape of social work and psycho-oncology in Israel. Prof. Hamama-Raz’s research is widely recognized through multiple grants and peer-reviewed publications. She has received repeated awards for excellence in both research and teaching. Her deep commitment to mental health, social well-being, and integrative care defines her contribution to both academia and practice, making her a leading voice in health-related social work research.

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🎓 Education

Prof. Hamama-Raz completed her academic training at Tel Aviv University. She earned her BA between 1986 and 1989, followed by an MA from 1992 to 1996, during which she explored fear of personal death among physicians under the supervision of Professors Zahava Solomon and Abraham Ohari. Her doctoral research (1997–2003) examined psychological adjustment in melanoma survivors, focusing on gender, identity, cognitive appraisal, hardiness, and attachment style, again under Prof. Solomon’s guidance. She further enriched her academic foundation through a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship (2005–2007) at the Adler Research Center for Child Welfare and Protection. This thorough academic grounding formed the base of her psycho-oncological research and teaching, integrating clinical practice with theoretical depth. Her educational trajectory exemplifies a continuous commitment to psychological and social health, particularly in vulnerable populations facing illness and trauma.

🧪 Experience

Prof. Hamama-Raz has a distinguished career that bridges clinical social work and academia. She began as a mental health officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (1989–1990), later working with families and distressed youth in Ramat Gan’s Welfare Department. From 1995 to 2005, she served as a social worker in the Gyneco-Oncology Unit of Rabin Medical Center. Between 2006 and 2009, she led individual psychotherapy at “One in Nine,” an Israeli breast cancer support organization. Since 2009, she has provided psycho-oncological therapy in private practice. Parallel to clinical work, she has held academic roles at Ariel University since 2005, advancing from lecturer to full professor in 2019. She has led graduate programs, chaired committees, and served on institutional boards. Her roles demonstrate a lifelong dedication to mental health and education, with an emphasis on cancer survivorship, trauma care, and integrative psychosocial support.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Prof. Hamama-Raz has received consistent recognition for her excellence in teaching and research. From 2010 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2023, Ariel University awarded her annual honors for academic excellence in teaching. In 2015, she received the university’s Reward for Excellence in Research Achievements. In 2016, she was honored by the Israel Cancer Association for outstanding psycho-oncological research. These accolades reflect her sustained commitment to quality education and impactful research. Her work not only advances academic knowledge but also improves clinical practices in social work and mental health care. These recognitions affirm her role as an influential educator and researcher whose work continues to inspire students, colleagues, and practitioners in Israel and internationally. Her ability to translate clinical insight into research findings and educational content is a hallmark of her professional excellence.

🔬 Research Focus

Prof. Yaira Hamama-Raz’s research lies at the intersection of psychology, oncology, and social work. She focuses on psychological adjustment among cancer survivors, with a particular interest in gender identity, cognitive appraisal, hardiness, and attachment styles. Her early research addressed fear of death among healthcare providers and psychological resilience in trauma survivors. Over the years, her studies have expanded to include kidney transplant patients, informal caregivers, disaster survivors, and populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work is grounded in clinical experience, aiming to bridge empirical findings with therapeutic applications. She has led and collaborated on numerous funded projects, including grants from the Israel Cancer Association and Ariel University. Her recent interests include decision-making in elderly cancer patients, adherence among adolescent transplant recipients, and psychological coping mechanisms in response to climate change and global health crises. Her interdisciplinary approach positions her as a leader in psychosocial oncology and health-related social work.

✅ Conclusion