Caroline Cecil Kaufman | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Caroline Cecil Kaufman | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Caroline C. Kaufman is an Assistant Psychologist at McLean Hospital and Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Memphis, with a specialization in the psychology of religion and spirituality. Her work lies at the intersection of spirituality, trauma, and mental health, particularly among underserved and marginalized populations. Dr. Kaufman has developed spiritually integrated psychotherapeutic interventions and conducted groundbreaking research on antisemitism, PTSD, and alcohol misuse. She has trained at leading institutions, including Yale School of Medicine, and currently leads multiple funded projects aimed at adapting clinical care to spiritual and religious diversity. Dr. Kaufman is widely recognized for her academic contributions and advocacy for inclusive behavioral health. Her professional mission centers on empowering vulnerable communities through evidence-based, spiritually inclusive mental health research and care. She is also a frequent speaker and active contributor to national and international psychology organizations.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Kaufman’s clinical and academic experience spans leading institutions in psychology and psychiatry. She currently serves as Assistant Psychologist at McLean Hospital and Instructor at Harvard Medical School. From 2021 to 2023, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Spirituality and Mental Health Program at McLean. Her internship was at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she worked in child and adolescent intensive outpatient care and the Yale Gender Program. She has held clinical roles across diverse settings, including Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Daybreak Treatment Center, and Head Start programs. She also held supervisory roles, including at Yale and the University of Memphis. Dr. Kaufman has been actively engaged in research, professional service, and teaching throughout her career. Her expertise lies in integrating spirituality and trauma-focused therapies, and she serves as Principal Investigator on several funded research projects. She also advises diversity and inclusion initiatives across clinical psychology organizations.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Kaufman has received numerous accolades for her academic and clinical contributions. In 2024, she was awarded the Eleanor and Miles Shore Fellowship by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a 2022 Livingston Fellow at Harvard Medical School and was selected for the prestigious Yale Program for Medicine, Spirituality, & Religion Fellowship in 2020. That same year, she received the Jewish Community Hero Award. Other honors include the International Research Network’s Early Career Researcher Award (2022), the Graduate Student Talk Award from the Tennessee Psychological Association (2018), and the Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Award from Williams College (2015). Dr. Kaufman has been consistently recognized for her innovative research in spirituality and mental health, her leadership in DEI initiatives, and her commitment to advancing culturally sensitive clinical care. She also received multiple travel and presentation awards from the APA and other scholarly organizations throughout her academic training.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Kaufman has received numerous accolades for her academic and clinical contributions. In 2024, she was awarded the Eleanor and Miles Shore Fellowship by McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She is a 2022 Livingston Fellow at Harvard Medical School and was selected for the prestigious Yale Program for Medicine, Spirituality, & Religion Fellowship in 2020. That same year, she received the Jewish Community Hero Award. Other honors include the International Research Network’s Early Career Researcher Award (2022), the Graduate Student Talk Award from the Tennessee Psychological Association (2018), and the Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Award from Williams College (2015). Dr. Kaufman has been consistently recognized for her innovative research in spirituality and mental health, her leadership in DEI initiatives, and her commitment to advancing culturally sensitive clinical care. She also received multiple travel and presentation awards from the APA and other scholarly organizations throughout her academic training.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Kaufman’s research focuses on the integration of spirituality, religiosity, and psychological science, particularly in the treatment of trauma, PTSD, and alcohol misuse. Her scholarship explores how spiritual identity and belief systems influence mental health outcomes, with a strong emphasis on marginalized and high-risk populations such as first responders and Jewish communities facing antisemitism. She leads several research projects, funded by organizations such as the John Templeton Foundation and Harvard Medical School, examining spiritually integrated psychotherapy, resilience among trauma survivors, and inclusion of religious diversity in behavioral health. She also investigates antisemitic prejudice and its psychological effects. Through both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, her work advances clinical science by developing culturally and spiritually sensitive interventions. Dr. Kaufman’s interdisciplinary research informs clinical practices and policy frameworks to promote inclusive, evidence-based care. She also collaborates across academic and community settings to ensure her research has practical, population-level impact.

✅ Conclusion

Publications

  • Mental Health Clinical Pastoral Education—A Specialized CPE Program

    Religions
    2025-07 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/rel16070886
    CONTRIBUTORS: Angelika A. Zollfrank; Caroline Cecil Kaufman; David H. Rosmarin

  • The scale matters: assessing body size with figure rating scales in a diverse sample of young adults

    Eating and Weight Disorders
    2022 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1007/s40519-021-01166-9

  • Integrating Spirituality in Group Psychotherapy with First Responders: Addressing Trauma and Substance Misuse

    Religions
    2022-11 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.3390/rel13121132
    CONTRIBUTORS: Caroline Cecil Kaufman; David Hillel Rosmarin; Hilary Connery

  • Parenting in matched pairs of women of color experiencing intimate partner violence and living with and without HIV

    Journal of Traumatic Stress
    2021 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1002/jts.22737
    EID: 2-s2.0-85116930252
    Part of ISSN: 15736598 08949867
    CONTRIBUTORS: Thurston, I.B.; Howell, K.H.; Kaufman, C.C.; Mandell, J.E.; Decker, K.M.

Yaira Hamama-Raz | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

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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.

Profile

🎓 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

Prof. Yaira Hamama-Raz is a distinguished academic, clinician, and researcher whose lifelong dedication to psycho-oncology and social work has significantly impacted clinical practice, academic training, and research in health-related social sciences, earning her recognition through awards, grants, and institutional leadership.

Publications

  • Climate Change Anxiety Among Individuals with and Without Chronic Illnesses: The Roles of Exposure, Awareness, and Coping Strategies

    Sustainability
    2025-07-01 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/su17136034
    CONTRIBUTORS: Yaira Hamama-Raz; Shiri Shinan-Altman

  • Social acknowledgment and posttraumatic growth among bereaved adult sons and daughters of security forces personnel: The interplay with continuing bonds and complicated grief

    Death Studies
    2025-06-20 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2521505
    CONTRIBUTORS: Yaira Hamama-Raz; Edit Solomon

  • The Interplay Between Climate Change Exposure, Awareness, Coping, and Anxiety Among Individuals with and Without a Chronic Illness

    Climate
    2025-06-11 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/cli13060124
    CONTRIBUTORS: Shiri Shinan-Altman; Yaira Hamama-Raz

  • Can the subjective perception of trauma effectively differentiate between International Classification of Diseases–11 PTSD and complex PTSD? The 2022 Russian invasion analysis.

    Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
    2025-03 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1037/tra0001801
    CONTRIBUTORS: Shir Mor-Ben-Ishai; Yaira Hamama-Raz; Elazar Leshem; Menachem Ben-Ezra; Yafit Levin

 

 

Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

She is completing her PhD at KJPP Zürich, focusing on youth suicide prevention through the AdoASSIP project. Her professional experience spans various roles within KJPP Zürich, including emergency care, inpatient therapy, diagnostics, family counseling, and research. Earlier, she worked in diverse sectors such as aviation, hospitality, and legal assistance, demonstrating adaptability and strong interpersonal skills. Alongside her clinical and research commitments, she has been active in volunteer work, serving as a translator for refugee projects. Her multilingual proficiency in German, English, French, and Egyptian Arabic allows her to connect effectively with diverse populations. She is recognized as an AdoASSIP instructor, supervisor, and therapist, reflecting her advanced therapeutic competencies. She embodies a rare combination of academic rigor, clinical expertise, and cross-cultural sensitivity, preparing her for a leading role in adolescent mental health care and research.

Profile

🎓 Education

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2014-2018) from the University of Zürich, supplemented by an exchange semester at Humboldt University, Berlin (2019). She then pursued a Master of Science in Psychology at the University of Zürich (2018-2021), successfully completed in HS2020. Additionally, she earned multiple certifications in AdoASSIP therapy, including supervisor and instructor credentials between 2022 and 2024. In December 2024, she attained the title of federally recognized psychotherapist (IPKJ). Currently, she is finalizing her PhD (expected 2025), focusing on youth suicidality. Her earlier studies include the Gymnasium at Kantonsschule Hottingen (2006–2010), Bachelor of Law studies (incomplete, 2011–2014), and primary education in Opfikon. This strong educational background provides her with a solid foundation in both psychological theory and clinical practice, which she continuously enriches with ongoing training and research involvement, particularly in adolescent mental health, suicidality, and peer influence dynamics.

🧪 Experience

Her clinical experience is extensive, primarily at KJPP Zürich since 2020. As a doctoral student (2021-2024) and psychologist on youth wards (2023-2024), she conducted diagnostics, therapy, psychodiagnostic testing, family consultations, and managed clinical documentation. She contributed significantly to research, including master’s student supervision and publishing scholarly articles. Earlier roles include psychologist at the emergency centre KANT (2021-2023), where she handled acute psychiatric assessments and crisis interventions. She previously held positions in other sectors such as aviation (Swissport), hospitality (Migros Fitnesspark), legal assistance (Wenger Plattner), and customer service (Jelmoli), which enriched her communication and organizational skills. Additionally, she volunteered as a translator for refugees, showcasing her humanitarian commitment. Her interdisciplinary and multicultural experience enables her to work effectively with diverse patient populations, while her research roles highlight her commitment to advancing evidence-based interventions for youth at risk of suicide.

🏅 Awards and Honors

While no formal awards are explicitly mentioned, her series of professional certifications reflect significant achievements in her field. She became a certified AdoASSIP therapist (2022), supervisor (2023), and instructor (2024), underlining her deep specialization in evidence-based suicide prevention methods for adolescents. Her admission to the federally recognized psychotherapy program (IPKJ) and successful completion in December 2024 further demonstrate her recognized competence in clinical psychotherapy. The selection to pursue a PhD focused on adolescent suicidality at KJPP Zürich itself indicates academic merit and research potential. In addition, her consistent involvement in both clinical practice and cutting-edge research within one of Switzerland’s leading psychiatric institutions highlights her professional excellence. Her voluntary contributions to refugee support services reflect an ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community engagement, qualities often acknowledged and respected in healthcare professionals and researchers alike.

🔬 Research Focus

Her research centers on adolescent suicidality, particularly within the AdoASSIP program, a specialized intervention for youth following suicide attempts. Her doctoral dissertation (to be defended in September 2025) investigates complex factors such as body shaming, violence, self-care, and the social contagion of suicidality among peers. This work contributes to a nuanced understanding of the psychosocial dynamics leading to youth suicide attempts. She is deeply involved in intervention research, combining clinical practice with empirical investigation, which allows her to test, refine, and implement effective therapeutic strategies. Her work also involves supervising master’s theses, publishing scientific papers, and contributing to ethical and methodological standards within clinical research. By integrating her practical experience with academic inquiry, she addresses pressing public health concerns and advances therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing youth suicidality. Her research holds significant potential to inform policy, clinical practice, and future studies in adolescent mental health.

✅ Conclusion

Through a combination of advanced clinical training, focused research on adolescent suicidality, and diverse professional experiences, she emerges as a highly competent psychologist and researcher poised to make impactful contributions to youth mental health care, suicide prevention, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions within multicultural contexts.

Publications

  • The Body as a Battleground: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Violence, Body Shaming, and Self-Harm in Adolescents with a History of Suicide Attempts

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    2025-05-30 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/ijerph22060859
    CONTRIBUTORS: Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand; Tara Semple; Martina Preisig; Isabelle Haeberling; Lukasz Smigielski; Dagmar Pauli; Susanne Walitza; Birgit Kleim; Gregor E. Berger

Virginia Lam | Student diversity and development| Excellence in Research

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Dr. Virginia Lam | Student diversity and development| Excellence in Research

Dr. Virginia L. Lam is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Roehampton, London, where she also leads the MSc Psychology programme. With a PhD in Psychology from Goldsmiths University of London, her research spans bilingual identity, ethnic development, intergenerational adaptation, and child psychology. Her academic journey includes over two decades of teaching and leadership roles at the University of East London and Open University. Dr. Lam has led several externally funded projects focusing on multilingualism, emotional wellbeing, and cultural identity in educational settings. She is currently an Associate Editor for the Social Development journal and plays a key role in curriculum development, student mentoring, and ethical oversight. Her work blends psychological theory with social impact, promoting inclusive education and cultural understanding. A highly regarded supervisor and examiner, Dr. Lam continues to inspire through scholarship, teaching innovation, and impactful research in developmental and social psychology.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Lam holds a PhD in Psychology from Goldsmiths University of London (2003), with a thesis on ethnic identity development in middle childhood. She earned a Master of Science (MRes) in Psychological Research Methods with Distinction from Exeter University in 1999 and a BA (Hons) in Psychology from Cardiff University in 1998, graduating with Upper Second Class Honours. In addition to her core academic qualifications, she completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education at the University of East London in 2004, enhancing her pedagogical proficiency. This combination of high-level training in both psychological research and education forms the foundation of her interdisciplinary approach, integrating rigorous methodology with applied practice in developmental, social, and bilingual psychology. Her educational background underpins her role as a researcher-practitioner, enabling her to navigate and contribute to complex psychological and educational environments with expertise and innovation.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Lam’s academic career spans over two decades, including her current role as Senior Lecturer at Roehampton University (2021–present), where she also leads the MSc Psychology and MSc Developmental Psychology programmes. She coordinates research initiatives, ethics review, and curriculum development. Previously, she served at the University of East London from 2004 to 2021 in various capacities, including Programme Leader for BSc Child Psychology and Senior Lecturer, overseeing curriculum design, accreditations, and change management. Earlier roles include associate lectureships at the Open University and a research assistant post at Goldsmiths. Her expertise includes teaching developmental psychology, lifespan development, and self & identity, with strong administrative leadership, student engagement strategies, and cross-institutional collaboration. Dr. Lam also serves as Associate Editor of the Social Development journal, engaging in peer review, editorial decisions, and academic convening. Her sustained excellence in teaching, supervision, research, and programme management reflects a dynamic and impactful career in higher education.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Lam has earned recognition through multiple competitive research grants and leadership roles that reflect her academic distinction. She has secured funding from prestigious institutions such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the British Psychological Society (BPS), the Methodist Trust, and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). These awards supported projects on bilingual development, emotional wellbeing in multilingual families, and cross-sector educational adaptation. Her successful RKE bids highlight her ability to lead interdisciplinary, collaborative research with practical societal impact. In 2025, she assumed the role of Associate Editor of Social Development, an honor that underscores her research credibility and scholarly influence. She has also been an invited viva chair and examiner for numerous PhD theses across institutions. Additionally, her consistent involvement in ethics committees, curriculum validation panels, and student progression frameworks reflects peer recognition of her commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Virginia Lam’s research focuses on identity development in multilingual and multicultural contexts, particularly among children and adolescents. Her work investigates how language, culture, and ethnicity shape self-concepts and psychological wellbeing, especially within educational systems. She leads interdisciplinary projects on emotional wellbeing among adult ESOL learners, the cultural adaptation of complementary language schools, and bilingual identity formation among diasporic populations. Methodologically, her studies integrate qualitative and mixed-method approaches, often engaging community partners and schools to bridge academic research with real-world practice. Her earlier longitudinal studies explored executive function, attention control, and cognition in bilingual children, contributing to the understanding of developmental advantages in diverse learning environments. Dr. Lam also supervises PhD projects on intersectionality, trauma, minority mental health, and self-esteem, fostering emerging research in identity, culture, and social equity. Her scholarly contributions are grounded in psychological theory yet extend to civic engagement and inclusive pedagogical innovations in higher education.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Virginia L. Lam exemplifies academic excellence through her leadership in multilingual identity research, curriculum innovation, and impactful psychological education, making her a valuable scholar in developmental and social psychology.

Publications

  • Academic Behavioural Confidence: The Role of Demographic, Institutional, Psychosocial, and Behavioural Factors Across Diverse University Students in England

    Psychology International
    2025-05-20 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.3390/psycholint7020039
    Part ofISSN: 2813-9844
    CONTRIBUTORS: Virginia L. Lam; Paulina Taylor

  • Growing up bilingual through a pandemic: Children’s language exposure, proficiency, social identities, and competences pre- and post-lockdowns

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BILINGUALISM
    2024-08-06 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.1177/1367006924124093

    SOURCE-WORK-ID:

    34db72df-a7e8-4e8c-b0a3-961e86ef563c

    2-s2.0-85201010050

    CONTRIBUTORS: Layal Husain; Virginia Lam; Martin Pinder

  • Depth of emotional experiencing and outcome in therapy with young people

    Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
    2024-06-12 | Journal article
    DOI: 10.1111/papt.12537
    Part ofISSN: 1476-0835
    Part ofISSN: 2044-8341
    CONTRIBUTORS: Darcy Geyer; Virginia Lam; Hannah Gilbert; Mick Cooper

  • On return to school: disorder symptoms, stress at home and evaluations of school COVID-19 measures

    Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health
    2024-04-18 | Journal article | Author
    DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2023.2290647
    Part of ISSN: 1728-0583
    Part of ISSN: 1728-0591
    CONTRIBUTORS: Virginia Lam; Mandy F. O’Driscoll

Cheng Cheng | Emotion and Cognition | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Cheng Cheng | Emotion and Cognition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Cheng Cheng is a lecturer at the Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, with a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Dalian University of Technology (2024). Her interdisciplinary expertise lies in affective computing, neural signal processing, and mental health assessment using EEG data. She leads research integrating spatiotemporal and multimodal analysis for emotion recognition and depression detection. Dr. Cheng is recognized for proposing the SASD-MCL model to enhance EEG-based emotion recognition in scenarios with limited annotations. Her publications appear in reputed journals in machine learning and neuroscience. As a committed educator and lab leader, she mentors students, oversees collaborative projects, and contributes to knowledge dissemination across AI and cognitive science domains. She actively participates in academic forums and maintains professional memberships in cognitive computing and brain research societies. Dr. Cheng’s work stands at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human emotion, contributing to advancements in mental health technologies.

Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Cheng Cheng received her Ph.D. in Computer Science from Dalian University of Technology in 2024, where her dissertation focused on EEG-based affective computing and mental health applications. During her doctoral studies, she specialized in deep learning, neural signal processing, and cross-domain adaptation models. Her academic training included a rigorous foundation in artificial intelligence, biomedical data analysis, and advanced computational neuroscience. Prior to her Ph.D., she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Computer Science with distinction, building a strong base in algorithm development and machine learning. Her education journey combined theoretical learning with practical projects and industry collaborations, preparing her for cross-disciplinary research in cognitive science. Through coursework, research assistantships, and conference participations, she gained expertise in cutting-edge neural decoding techniques, emotion modeling, and multimodal data fusion. Dr. Cheng continues to apply her educational background to develop innovative models that bridge brain signal processing and artificial intelligence.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Cheng Cheng is currently serving as a lecturer at the Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Center, Liaoning Normal University, where she also leads a neuroscience and AI-integrated research lab. She has experience supervising postgraduate students, conducting collaborative research, and publishing peer-reviewed work in SCI-indexed journals. Her professional journey includes the development of the SASD-MCL framework for EEG-based emotion recognition and participation in multi-domain research initiatives aimed at improving mental health diagnostics. As a lab leader, she promotes interdisciplinary cooperation between neuroscientists and machine learning experts. Dr. Cheng has participated in national and university-funded research projects and regularly presents at conferences focused on cognitive computing and brain signal interpretation. Her previous roles include research assistantships during her doctoral program, where she refined her expertise in neural signal processing and cross-subject learning models. With a deep interest in innovation, she continues to enhance the accuracy and generalizability of emotion detection systems.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Cheng Cheng has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to affective computing and brain–AI interfacing. Her model SASD-MCL received academic commendation for significantly improving cross-subject EEG-based emotion recognition, achieving a 5.93% and 5.32% accuracy gain on SEED and SEED-IV datasets, respectively. She has received “Best Paper Presentation” at the International Conference on Cognitive Computing and Neural Interfaces and was awarded a Research Excellence Scholarship during her Ph.D. tenure. Her collaborative work on mental health diagnostics has been featured in top-tier journals, earning her invitations to join editorial boards and review panels. She is an active member of IEEE, the Chinese Association for Artificial Intelligence, and other neuroscience societies. Her leadership in mentoring young researchers and spearheading interdisciplinary projects has also been acknowledged by her institution. Nominated for the “Best Researcher Award,” Dr. Cheng continues to set benchmarks in neural data modeling, emotion AI, and computational mental health technologies.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Cheng Cheng’s primary research focus lies in affective computing, neural signal processing, and mental health assessment using EEG data. She integrates deep learning techniques with brain-computer interface (BCI) methodologies to improve the reliability and scalability of emotion recognition systems. Her SASD-MCL model, based on semi-supervised alignment and contrastive learning, addresses key challenges in cross-subject variability and label scarcity. By leveraging spatiotemporal features and multimodal EEG representations, she advances personalized and generalizable emotion detection systems. Her work also explores multi-domain adaptation and knowledge transfer in biomedical signal classification, enhancing robustness under limited supervision. Dr. Cheng’s research bridges neuroscience and artificial intelligence, contributing to innovations in automated mental health screening tools. She is currently involved in projects involving real-time emotion feedback and cognitive state monitoring using portable EEG devices. Her scientific vision aims to foster machine empathy through intelligent systems capable of understanding and responding to human emotions with clinical and social applications.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Cheng Cheng exemplifies excellence in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. Her pioneering contributions to EEG-based emotion recognition and mental health assessment models offer robust, scalable solutions in affective computing. With a strong academic foundation, impactful innovations, and dedicated mentorship, she stands out as a deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.

Publications

Kadir Uludag | Educational Psychology | Educational Psychology Impact

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Dr. Kadir Uludag | Educational Psychology | Educational Psychology Impact

Dr. Kadir Uludag is a postdoctoral researcher in psychology with a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research bridges schizophrenia, brain imaging, and educational psychology. Dr. Uludag is passionate about disseminating scientific knowledge through his personal website (ifx0.com/psychology), YouTube channel (youtube.com/boooringlearning), and as the founder of the open-access journal Novelty in Psychology. He has published extensively, including 12 Web of Science (Q1) and 21 Scopus-indexed works, and serves on the editorial boards of 24 international journals. With over 670 manuscript reviews listed on ORCID, he has received multiple awards recognizing his scientific contributions. Dr. Uludag also manages four ongoing book projects. Skilled in Python-based machine learning and data analysis tools, he is eager to collaborate on innovative research that contributes meaningfully to psychology and society.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Uludag earned his Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2019–2023, GPA 3.93), focusing on brain imaging and mental health. He completed an M.A. in Forensic Sciences (Social Sciences) from Istanbul University (2016–2018, GPA 3.61), where he developed a strong foundation in psychological evaluation in legal settings. His undergraduate degree in Psychological Counseling and Guidance was obtained from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (2012–2016, GPA 3.30), complemented by an associate degree in Laboratory Assistant and Veterinary Sciences from Eskisehir Anatolian University (2013–2015, GPA 3.79). He has also pursued training in TESOL, SPSS, machine learning (random forest, SVM, logistic regression, neural networks), Python programming, web development, and data visualization. His education has been guided by distinguished scholars including Prof. Xiang Yang Zhang, Prof. Erdinc Ozturk, and Prof. Neylan Ziyal. These experiences shaped his multidisciplinary approach to psychological research.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Kadir Uludag is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2023–Present) and has been appointed for a future role at Capital Medical University, Beijing (2025–). His expertise spans schizophrenia, neuroimaging, and educational psychology. Previously, he served as a special education teacher for autistic children at Karabük Municipality Autistic Children Education Center (2017), applying cognitive-behavioral and humanistic therapeutic approaches. He also completed internships as a psychological counselor at Toki Anadolu Lisesi (2016) and a veterinary technician at Safranbolu Veterinary Clinic (2015). He brings in-depth knowledge of psychological development and intervention techniques across diverse settings. In academia, Dr. Uludag serves on the editorial boards of 24 journals and has edited four book projects. His dynamic involvement in teaching, research, editing, and mentoring reflects a holistic commitment to the field of psychology and science communication.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Uludag has received numerous accolades, including the “Highest Number of Views” award (2023–2024) from the Journal of Clinical and Basic Psychosomatics for his narrative review on smoking and schizophrenia. He earned reviewer awards from Imeta Journal and Imetaomics for reviewing more than five papers each. Additionally, he holds a Certificate of Excellence from the Shanghai Table Tennis Museum and the American Chemical Society Reviewer Lab Certificate. His extensive peer-review contributions (over 670 reviews) are recognized by ORCID and editorial teams worldwide. His editorial involvement includes serving on boards of journals like Health Policy and Technology, Plos One, and Asean Journal of Psychiatry, among others. He has received invitations for guest editorships and honorary memberships in various scholarly outlets. These honors reflect his impactful presence in academia and his dedication to advancing global psychological research.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Kadir Uludag’s primary research interests include schizophrenia, neuroimaging (fMRI and EEG), and educational psychology. His doctoral work applied Python-based machine learning (random forest, SVM, logistic regression) to brain imaging data, emphasizing computational psychiatry and precision diagnostics. He has published in Q1 journals such as Asian Journal of Psychiatry, American Chemical Neuroscience, Psychology Research and Behavior Management, General Psychiatry, and Antioxidants. His Scopus-indexed contributions span educational psychology, forensic science, and neuroscience. His research applies interdisciplinary tools—Python, Psychopy, SPSS, R, NLP, and image processing libraries—to explore psychiatric conditions. He integrates theory and practice through data visualization, cognitive-behavioral therapy models, and open-science advocacy. Dr. Uludag actively shares findings via his YouTube channel and academic website, fostering transparency and education. His work aims to bridge gaps between neuroscience, education, and technology to improve mental health outcomes and knowledge dissemination.

Publications

Fahri SEZER | Guidance and Psychological Counseling | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Dr. Fahri SEZER | Guidance and Psychological Counseling | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fahri Sezer is a distinguished academic and researcher at Balıkesir University Necatibey Faculty of Education 🇹🇷, specializing in psychological counseling, music therapy 🎵, career guidance 🧭, developmental and educational psychology 🧠📚; his work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing student well-being 💪, self-esteem 🌱, coping strategies 🧩, and resilience; he is known for mentoring young scholars 🧑‍🏫 and leading interdisciplinary mental health research 🤝, with a strong publication record in both national and international platforms 🏅📖.

Profile

Education 🎓

Dr. Fahri Sezer holds advanced degrees in psychological counseling and developmental psychology 🎓🧠; his educational foundation includes robust training in educational sciences, guidance, and counseling 💡📚, providing him the expertise to design psycho-pedagogical models for enhancing emotional well-being and cognitive growth in diverse populations 🌍; his academic journey is marked by scholarly excellence, reflective inquiry, and continuous contribution to mental health education and teacher training programs 🎯🧑‍🏫.

Experience 👨‍🏫

Dr. Fahri Sezer serves as an Associate Professor at Balıkesir University’s Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling 🏛️; he has led and collaborated on numerous research projects exploring student well-being, family dynamics, and teacher competencies 🧠👨‍🏫; his career highlights include national-level research on social skills, divorce effects, conflict resolution, and child psychology 💔➡️❤️, along with authoring educational materials for classroom management, counseling, and developmental psychology 📘✍️; he also provides academic mentoring and scientific editing 🧾🔬.

Awards & Recognitions 🏅

Dr. Fahri Sezer has earned wide recognition for his contributions to educational psychology 🧠🎖️; his research on self-esteem, life satisfaction, and student resilience has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and global conferences 🌐📢; his book chapters and co-authored volumes demonstrate academic leadership 📘👑; Sezer is admired for his impactful national projects addressing teacher training, family therapy, and psychosocial support frameworks 🧑‍🏫💡; his role as editor, author, and mentor enriches Turkey’s academic landscape 🇹🇷💫.

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Fahri Sezer’s research revolves around psychological counseling 🧠💬, music therapy 🎵🧠, career guidance 🧭, educational resilience, developmental psychology 👶➡️🧓, social skill interventions 🤝, and student mental health 💖; he investigates how attitudes, coping mechanisms, and counseling practices affect life satisfaction and emotional growth 🌈📈; his focus also includes designing educational materials, studying teacher awareness, and exploring psychosocial dimensions of divorce and child development 🧸⚖️; blending research with community service and academic collaboration 🤗🔍.

Publications 

Siamak Khodarahimi | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Prof Dr. Siamak Khodarahimi | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Profile

Education

Dr. S. Khodarahimi holds multiple academic degrees in psychology, including a B.A. in Clinical Psychology from Shiraz University, Iran (1987), and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Meshed Ferdowsi University, Iran (1994), where he achieved a GPA of 18.93. He earned his first PhD in Clinical Psychology from Atlantic International University, USA, in 2005, with a GPA of 3.76. Further advancing his expertise, he completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology at Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2010, receiving an “Excellent” rating. In 2020, he obtained a second PhD in Psychology from Lorestan University, achieving a remarkable GPA of 19.61. His research has focused on various aspects of psychology, including psychotherapy, personality structures, workplace stress, and sleep and dream quality in individuals with anxiety disorders.

Work experience

Dr. S. Khodarahimi has held several academic and administrative positions throughout his career. From 2000 to 2022, he served as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Islamic Azad University, Eghlid Branch. Additionally, between 2000 and 2006, he held the role of Vice President for Research at the same institution and was a member of the Research Council for the First Zone of Islamic Azad University.

His earlier academic roles include serving as a contractual faculty staff member in the Psychology Department at Bavanat Payam Nour University, Fars, Iran (1999–2002), and as a faculty staff member of the Research Group for Behavioral Sciences at the Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR), Shiraz (1998–1999). Prior to that, from 1994 to 1997, he was a contractual faculty member in the Psychology Department at Chamran Ahwaz University, Ahwaz, and contributed to the Research Group for Social Psychology at ACECR, Ahwaz.

Dr. Khodarahimi’s leadership experience includes serving as the Dean of the Research Center for Psychological Services in Shiraz, Fars, from 1990 to 1992, highlighting his longstanding commitment to psychological research and education.

Teaching Experience

Dr. S. Khodarahimi has an extensive teaching and training background, spanning multiple universities and covering a wide range of psychology courses.

From 1993 to 1997, at Chamran Ahwaz University, he taught courses such as Mental Health, Personality Theories, Principles of Clinical Psychology, Psychopathology (1), Theories of Psychotherapy, and Introduction to Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods.

Between 1999 and 2002, at Payam Nour University – Bavanat Center, his teaching portfolio included Psychology of Development (1 & 2), Psychology of Personality, Social Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Individual Research Projects in Psychology, Introduction to Neuropsychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology Texts in English (1 & 2), Research Method in Psychology, and Psychology of Work.

From 2000 to 2022, at Islamic Azad University – Eghlid Branch, he instructed courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Educational Psychology, Social Psychology for Nursing, Psychology of Learning, Developmental Psychology (1 & 2), Counseling Methods and Outlines, Child Counseling, Exceptional Psychology, and Introduction to Practical Research.

Dr. Khodarahimi’s diverse teaching experience reflects his expertise in various psychological disciplines, ranging from clinical and developmental psychology to research methodology and neuropsychology.

Research interests

1. Positive Psychology, Mental Health, Cross Cultural, Psychotherap and
Interdiciplinary Reaserch.
2. Investigation in psychosocial interventions and psychopathological issues
among adolescents, youth, adults and women.
3. Research in anxiety disordres, worry, emotions, and high risk behaviors with
focus on psychological interventions at individual and collective levels.

Publication

Mojtaba Rahimian Bougar | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Cognitive Scientist Awards

Mr. Mojtaba Rahimian Bougar | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

 

 

Profile

Education

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Psychology from Payame Noor University of Abadeh Center in 2014, where he conducted a research project titled Comparison of Early Maladaptive Schemas Among Three Groups of Men Dependent on Opium, Under Treatment, and Non-Dependent Over 15 Years of Age in Shiraz City. In 2023, he completed his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the Islamic Azad University, Kish International Branch. His master’s research focused on The Structural Model of Suicidal Tendency Prediction Based on Psychological Needs, Mental Pain, and Object Relations with the Moderating Roles of Defense Mechanisms and Ego-Strength.

Work experience

He is currently working as a Clinical Psychologist with an MA in Clinical Psychology. Previously, from 2013 to 2016, he served as an Expert in Charge and Research Consultant at Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran. From 2019 to 2024, he worked as a Psychologist at the Social Emergency Center under the Welfare General Bureau of Fars Province in Shiraz, Iran. During the same period, he was an active member of various working groups, including the Working Group on Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction, the Association for the Protection of Child Labourers under the Governorship & Welfare General Bureau, and the Suicide Prevention initiative within the Mental Health Unit of the Health & Care Professional Network in Eqlid City, Iran.

From 2013 to 2016, he worked as an Expert and Consultant at the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology at Larestan School of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran. From 2019 to 2024, he served as a Psychologist at the Eghlid Social Emergency Center under the Welfare General Bureau of Fars Province in Shiraz, Iran. Since 2019, he has been an active member of the Suicide Management and Prevention Working Group, as well as the Social Damage Prevention Working Group in Eqlid City, Fars Province. In 2023, he took on the role of Social Service Specialist at the Welfare Organization in Fars Province, Eqlid City, where he continues to contribute to social welfare initiatives.

National and international presentations and conferences

Farmani, A., Faramarzi, H., Rahimian Bougar, M., Sadeghi, M., & Aminian, M. (2021). Psychosocial
trauma screening during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the 3rd International
Conference on Psychology, Counseling and Education, 11 February 2021, Mashhad, Iran.
Rahimian Bougar, M., Farmani, A., Ahmadi, S., & Rahiminejad, S. (2021). Comparison of Early
Maladaptive Schemas in Opioid Abusers and Healthy Individuals. In the 3rd International Conference
on Psychology, Counseling and Education, 11 February 2021, Mashhad, Iran.
Farmani, A., Farahmand, H., Sadeghi, M., & Rahimian Bougar, M. (2021). Prediction of Marital
Conflict Management Styles on the Basis of the Big Five Factors of Personality with the Mediating Role
of Patience Components among Young Females. In the 9th International Conference of Modern
Research in Psychology,Counseling,and Educational Sciences, 22 July 2021, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Rahimian Bougar, M. (2016). The study of effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation to reduce
symptoms in patients with migraine headache. The 5th Symposium of World Federation of
Neurosurgical Societies & The 7th International Neurosurgery Congress & The 1st International
Neuroscience Confederation Congress, 17-22 Apr 2016, Tehran, Iran.
Rahimian Bougar, M. (2016). The study of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its relationship to
quality of life and mental health of cancer patients. The 5th Symposium of World Federation of
Neurosurgical Societies & The 7th International Neurosurgery Congress & The 1st International
Neuroscience Confederation Congress, 17-22 Apr 2016, Tehran, Iran.
Sekhavati, E., Rahimian Bougar, M., Bostani, S., & Saem, J. (2016). Investigating the Individual and
Effective Protection Factors of Appropriate and Inappropriate Cesarean Section in Pregnant Women
Referred to Larestan Imam Reza Hospital. International Congress on Social Studies on Health For
Students, 21-23 December 2016, Shiraz, Iran.
Sekhavati, E., Rahimian Bougar, M., Bostani, S., & Raeisi, Z. (2016). An Explanation on the Prevalence
of Learning Disorders in Terms of Socioeconomic Factors of Health among the Elementary School
Students in Larestan City during Year 2014. International Congress on Social Studies on Health For
Students, 21-23 December 2016, Shiraz, Iran.
Sekhavati, E., Rahimian Bougar, M., Raeisi, Z., Bostani, S., & Sarafraz, N. (2016). THE PREVALENCE
OF SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR AND PROGNOSIS OF HIV INFECTION IN ADOLESCENTS AND
YOUNG ADULTS IN LARESTAN CITY. At the 17th International & Iranian Congress of Microbiology,
23-25 August 2016, Tehran, Iran.
Sekhavati, E., Neydavodi, M., Rahimian Bougar, M., Abedi, K., Mohammadi, Z., Raeisi, Z. (2016).
PREVALENCE OF PEDICULOSIS IN STUDENTS OF LARESTAN CITY IN 2015. At the 17th
International & Iranian Congress of Microbiology, 23-25 August 2016, Tehran, Iran.
Sekhavati, E., Rahimian Bougar, M., Bostani, S., & Alaie Nejad, M. (2016). Investigating the effects of
common atmospheric and air pollutants on cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders: A
review study: with an emphasis on the pathology of atmospheric elements and air pollution in Iran. The
2nd International Conference on Environmental sciences, 25 & 26 May 2016, Tehran, Iran.

Publication