Gracia Cristina Villodres | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

 Mrs. Gracia Cristina Villodres l Psychology
| Best Researcher Award

University of Granada | Spain

Mrs. Gracia Cristina Villodres the research emphasizes the interconnection between physical activity, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and cognitive as well as academic performance among children and adolescents, contributing to the advancement of educational health science. Through an interdisciplinary framework integrating education, psychology, and public health, the studies explore how physical activity, Mediterranean diet adherence, and mental well-being collectively influence self-esteem, attention, and academic outcomes. The research also investigates psychological and behavioral determinants such as body image perception, social media influence, and emotional regulation in youth populations. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including structural equation modeling and systematic reviews, the work provides empirical evidence supporting the role of active and healthy living in enhancing cognitive development and overall well-being. Furthermore, intervention-based projects like RealBody+ assess the efficacy of digital and mobile health applications in promoting positive body image, eating behavior, and physical activity engagement. The outcomes contribute to evidence-based strategies for educational reform, public health promotion, and mental health awareness. International collaborations across Europe, Asia, and North America strengthen the global applicability of the findings, aligning with sustainable development goals related to quality education and good health. Collectively, the research fosters innovation in integrating physical education with psychological resilience and academic excellence.

Featured Publications

Villodres, G. C., García-Pérez, L., Corpas, J. M., & Muros, J. J. (2021). Influence of confinement due to COVID-19 on physical activity and Mediterranean diet adherence and its relationship with self-esteem in pre-adolescent students. Children, 8(10), 848. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8100848

García-Pérez, L., Villodres, G. C., & Muros, J. J. (2023). Differences in healthy lifestyle habits in university students as a function of academic area. Journal of Public Health, 45(2), 513–522. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdac120

García-Pérez, L., Villodres Bravo, G., Sánchez, F. J. M., Cara, E. M. S., & Molina, J. J. M. (2021). Adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, actividad física y su relación con el nivel socioeconómico en escolares de primaria de la capital de Granada. Retos: Nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación, 485–491.

Corpas Ruiz, J. M., & Villodres Bravo, G. C. (2023). Análisis del tiempo de compromiso motor en educación física: Una revisión bibliográfica. Didactic Association Andalucía.

Villodres, G. C., Salvador-Pérez, F., & Muros, J. J. (2024). Factors associated with Mediterranean diet adherence in a sample of high socio-economic status children from southern Spain. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1), e35. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898002400003X

Cobo, L. N., Villodres Bravo, G., & Padial-Ruz, R. (2025). Efecto de un programa de actividad física y educación nutricional para la mejora de hábitos saludables en educación primaria. Retos: Nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación, 479–506.

María José Montaño Zuñiga | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Mrs. María José Montaño Zuñiga
l Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Universidad Manuela Beltran | United States

Mrs. María José Montaño Zuñiga is a dedicated psychologist and independent researcher recognized for her strong leadership, communication, and commitment to social transformation, mental health, and human rights advocacy. A graduate in Psychology from Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bogotá, she also holds advanced certifications in Forensic Psychology, Suicide Prevention and Intervention, and Psychological First Aid, complemented by training from international institutions such as the Supreme Court of Justice of Mexico, UNICEF, and the Pan American Health Organization. Her professional journey spans diverse contexts—clinical, psychosocial, legal, and forensic—with significant contributions to the Defensoría del Pueblo, where she worked on human rights verification for incarcerated populations and the development of post-penitentiary psychosocial programs. She has presented research at national conferences, including the Congreso Colombiano de Psicología, and achieved first place at the VI Encuentro de Semilleros de Investigación for her study on post-penitentiary interventions. Her current research, accepted for publication in the Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice (Taylor & Francis, 2025), explores psychosocial, criminal, and penitentiary factors influencing ex-inmates’ attitudes toward crime. Through an international cultural exchange as an Au Pair in the United States (2024–2026), she continues to develop intercultural communication, adaptability, and child development competencies, embodying ethical, human-centered practice and a passion for transformative psychology.

Profile: Orcid 

Featured Publication 

Montaño-Zuñiga, M. J., Mendivelso-Gómez, L. F., Suescún-Torres, P. D., & Botero-Giraldo, M. P. (2025). Psychosocial, criminal, and penitentiary factors associated with attitudes toward crime in Colombian ex-offenders. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2025.2563230

Sagnik Chakraborty | Psychology | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Mr. Sagnik Chakraborty | Psychology
| Young Scientist Award

Banaras Hindu University | India

Mr. Sagnik Chakraborty is an emerging psychologist from Siliguri, West Bengal, currently pursuing his M.Sc. in Psychology at Banaras Hindu University (2025–2027) after completing a B.Sc. in Psychology from the Central University of Sikkim . He has a strong academic record, scoring . Sagnik has demonstrated research aptitude through publications, including the development of the Bharatiya Geriatric Loneliness Scale in the Indian Journal of Gerontology and a study on internet multitasking and problem-solving ability in the International Journal of Indian Psychology. He has presented his work at multiple state-level conferences, earning recognition as Best Presenter for his paper on the Hindi version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale and presenting research on the BGLS at a conference on elder well-being. His professional experience includes a 180-hour internship on addiction at Serenity Home, a rehabilitation center in Gangtok, Sikkim. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Bengali, Sagnik combines academic excellence with practical experience, research engagement, and strong communication skills. Beyond academics, he enjoys teaching, singing, and playing cricket and table tennis, reflecting a well-rounded personality with dedication to both psychological research and community engagement.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publication

  • Chakraborty, S., Ashaparna, A., & Rai, S. (2025). Development of Bharatiya Geriatric Loneliness Scale. Indian Journal of Gerontology, 39(4), 571–588.

  • Chakraborty, S. (2025). Internet multitasking and problem-solving ability: A correlational study among college and university students in Sikkim. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 13(3), 3106–3115. https://doi.org/10.25215/1303.280

Phuong Nguyen | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Ms. Phuong Nguyen | Clinical Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Phuong Nguyen at University of Vermont, United States

Summary:

Ms. Phuong Nguyen is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Vermont. Her research explores socioemotional development and the psychological factors influencing children’s conflict resolutions. With a background in research, clinical practice, and teaching, she is committed to advancing understanding in developmental psychology and improving mental health outcomes through evidence-based interventions.

Profile:

Scopus

🎓Education:

Ms. Phuong Nguyen is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Vermont, where she also completed her M.A. in Psychology in 2021. She obtained her B.S. in Psychology with honors from Trinity College in 2019.

🏥👨‍🏫Professional Experience:

Ms. Nguyen has gained diverse professional experience across research, clinical practice, and teaching:

  • Research: She has served as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Socioemotional Neuroscience and Development Lab at the University of Vermont since 2019, focusing on protocol revision, IRB submissions, data collection, and analysis.
  • Clinical: Ms. Nguyen has worked as a Pre-doctoral Clinician at Timberlane Pediatrics, Clarity Laboratories, Connecting Cultures (Vermont Psychological Services), and the Autism Evaluation and Treatment Clinic (Vermont Psychological Services), providing psychotherapy and psychological evaluations to various populations.
  • Teaching: She has extensive teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor for courses such as Research Methods, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics for Psychological Science, and others at the University of Vermont and Trinity College.

Research Interests:

Ms. Nguyen’s research interests include socioemotional development, children’s conflict appraisals, and the impact of parenting styles on child behavior. She has also been involved in psychodiagnostic assessments and has contributed to studies on developmental psychopathology.

Publications Top Notes 📝:

1. Child temperamental negative affectivity moderates the relation between interparental conflict and child cortisol recovery

  • Authors: Nguyen, P., Schermerhorn, A.C.
  • Journal: Social Development
  • Status: Article in Press
  • Year: 2024

2. The interplay among interparental conflict, children’s emotional insecurity, neurophysiological correlates of processing interparental conflict cues, and externalizing symptoms

  • Authors: Schermerhorn, A.C., Nguyen, P., Davies, P.T.
  • Journal: Developmental Psychobiology
  • Volume: 63
  • Issue: 7
  • Year: 2021
  • Article Number: e22192

 

Sara Simblett | Molecular Immunology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Dr. Sara Simblett | Molecular Immunology| Best Researcher Award

Dr, King’s College London, United Kingdom

👩‍🔬 Sara Simblett, DClinPsy, PhD, is a versatile 🧠 clinical psychologist and researcher with extensive expertise in neuropsychology and digital health. With a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, and a PhD in Neuropsychology from the University of Cambridge, her research focuses on remote measurement technology, mental health interventions, and neuropsychological outcomes in neurological conditions. As Clinical Lecturer at King’s College London, she leads on neuropsychology for the DClinPsy training course and provides comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. Simblett also co-founded The London Neurocognitive Clinic, offering assessments and neurorehabilitation for cognitive and mental health needs. 🌟

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Scholar

Qualifications 🎓

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London (Oct 2012 – Sept 2015): Led empirical research on neuropsychological outcomes following critical illness, focusing on PTSD symptoms and cognitive functioning. Published meta-analysis on technology for PTSD therapy and functional neurological conditions in hyper-acute stroke units. PhD in Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge (Oct 2009 – Feb 2013): Conducted a pilot RCT using technology for psychological therapy in long-term neurological conditions. Awarded studentship from NIHR ARC East of England. MSc in Neuropsychology (Distinction), University of Bristol (Oct 2007 – Sept 2008): Researched hippocampal activation during memory tests using fMRI techniques. BSc in Experimental Psychology (2:1), University of Bristol (Sept 2004 – July 2007): Conducted research on individual differences in cognitive flexibility and mental health.

Employment 💼

Clinical Lecturer in Neuropsychology, King’s College London (Dec 2021 – Present): Leading Neuropsychology for DClinPsy training. Conducting research and providing clinical services. Clinical Psychology Research Fellow, King’s College London (May 2016 – Nov 2021): Specialized in user experience of remote measurement technology. Supervised research and provided teaching. Clinical Director, The London Neurocognitive Clinic (April 2022 – Present): Overseeing clinical operations and providing neuropsychological assessments and rehabilitation. Clinical Psychologist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (Jan 2019 – Nov 2021): Led development of remote neuropsychological interventions for serious mental health problems.

Teaching 📚

Various teaching roles at King’s College London, including DclinPsy and BSc Psychology courses.

Awards/Grants 🏆

Received grants and awards for research, including public engagement and travel grants. This diverse background in academia, clinical practice, and industry equips me to make meaningful contributions to the field of neuropsychology and mental health care.

Publications Top Notes 📝

  1. Title: Barriers to and facilitators of engagement with remote measurement technology for managing health: systematic review and content analysis of findings
    • Journal: Journal of medical Internet research
    • Year: 2018
    • Volume: 20
    • Issue: 7
    • Pages: e10480
    • Citations: 220

 

  1. Title: Digital exclusion among mental health service users: qualitative investigation
    • Journal: Journal of medical Internet research
    • Year: 2019
    • Volume: 21
    • Issue: 1
    • Pages: e11696
    • Citations: 105

 

  1. Title: Barriers to and facilitators of engagement with mHealth technology for remote measurement and management of depression: qualitative analysis
    • Journal: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
    • Year: 2019
    • Volume: 7
    • Issue: 1
    • Pages: e11325
    • Citations: 86

 

  1. Title: Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse in Major Depressive Disorder (RADAR-MDD): recruitment, retention, and data availability in a longitudinal remote measurement study
    • Journal: BMC psychiatry
    • Year: 2022
    • Volume: 22
    • Issue: 1
    • Pages: 136
    • Citations: 47

 

  1. Title: Patient perspectives on the acceptability of mHealth technology for remote measurement and management of epilepsy: A qualitative analysis
    • Journal: Epilepsy & Behavior
    • Year: 2019
    • Volume: 97
    • Pages: 123-129
    • Citations: 47

 

  1. Title: Keeping well in a COVID-19 crisis: a qualitative study formulating the perspectives of mental health service users and carers
    • Journal: Journal of Mental Health
    • Year: 2021
    • Volume: 30
    • Issue: 2
    • Pages: 138-147
    • Citations: 34

 

 

  1. Title: Engaging across dimensions of diversity: A cross-national perspective on mHealth tools for managing relapsing remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis
    • Journal: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
    • Year: 2019
    • Volume: 32
    • Pages: 123-132
    • Citations: 32