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