Ms. Anusha Sahay | Applied Psychology in Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

Ms. Anusha Sahay | Applied Psychology in Science | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Anusha Sahay ,  Applied Psychology in Science , Research Project Assistant at Rutgers University, United States

Anusha Sahay is a dedicated and emerging professional in the field of psychology, with a passion for mental health research and trauma-informed care. She earned her Bachelor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she completed an honors thesis exploring narcissistic traits in daily life using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Currently, Anusha serves as a Research Project Assistant at Rutgers University under a SAMHSA-funded initiative, working on school-based mental health systems. She has actively contributed to multiple research labs, including the Mechanisms of Antagonism Lab and the Personality Processes and Outcomes Lab, gaining hands-on experience in participant recruitment, data analysis, and intervention implementation. Anusha brings a compassionate and analytical approach to all her work, and she is particularly interested in trauma, developmental psychopathology, and school-based mental health interventions. Her growing academic portfolio includes manuscripts under review and conference presentations in the field of child and adolescent mental health.

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar 

Education 🎓

Anusha Sahay completed her Bachelor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh (2020–2024) with a 3.7 GPA. Her academic journey was enriched by a rigorous honors thesis titled “The Expression of Narcissistic Personality Traits in Daily Life: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study”, under the guidance of Dr. Colin Vize. She also earned a Certificate in Managing Health Services & Projects, reflecting her multidisciplinary focus on both psychology and health management. Her coursework included Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Child Psychopathology, and Neuroscience, which provided her with a solid foundation in mental health and human behavior. Additional training in Organizational Psychology and Public Service Technologies helped her bridge clinical science and real-world health systems. This diverse educational background equips Anusha with a well-rounded understanding of both psychological theory and practical implementation of services in diverse populations.

Experience 💼

Anusha Sahay brings extensive research experience across three major roles. As a Research Project Assistant at Rutgers University (2024–present), she contributes to a SAMHSA-funded mental health initiative, working on data analysis, project planning, and co-facilitating trauma-based interventions in schools. At the Mechanisms of Antagonism Lab (2023–2024), she played a leadership role in an NIMH-funded study examining aggression through EMA, managing participant engagement and training new research assistants. From 2022–2023, at the Personality Processes and Outcomes Lab, she contributed to an NIAAA-funded study on alcohol use among young adults, ensuring data integrity and participant retention. Her technical skills include SPSS, Excel, and EMA platforms, and her interpersonal strengths shine through in participant rapport and team coordination. Anusha’s research experience demonstrates her commitment to applied psychology, trauma-informed care, and behavioral intervention development.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Though early in her professional journey, Anusha Sahay has already distinguished herself through academic and research accomplishments. She successfully completed an Honors Thesis in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, a prestigious designation reserved for students demonstrating exceptional scholarly ability. Her thesis involved real-time behavioral tracking using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), highlighting her proficiency in complex methodologies. Additionally, she held leadership roles in research labs, including training new assistants, coordinating participant interactions, and serving as a bridge between undergraduate researchers and graduate-level coordinators. Her selection as a Research Project Assistant on a high-impact SAMHSA-funded project at Rutgers is itself a form of honor, reflecting her skill, professionalism, and readiness to contribute to national initiatives in school-based mental health. Anusha’s early success and consistent involvement in federally funded studies suggest a trajectory toward impactful research leadership.

Research Focus 🔬

Anusha Sahay’s research focus lies at the intersection of trauma-informed care, personality psychology, and ecological assessment of psychopathology. Her honors thesis investigated the daily-life expression of narcissistic traits using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), reflecting a deep interest in how personality influences behavior in real-time contexts. At Rutgers University, she contributes to the development of trauma-informed Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in schools, showcasing her passion for school-based mental health. Her experience spans aggression, substance use, and developmental psychopathology, often through EMA and mixed-method designs. She is particularly interested in how early-life adversity and personality shape behavior over time and how evidence-based interventions can mitigate risk in youth. Anusha combines methodological rigor with a human-centered approach, aiming to translate psychological research into scalable interventions within education and community health systems.

Publications 📚

1. Co‑Creating a District‑Wide Professional Development Program and Implementation Model for Trauma‑Informed Schools (2025)

2. The Expression of Narcissistic Traits in Daily Life: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study (2024)

 

 

 

Prof. Shulan Hsieh | Cognitive Science | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

Prof. Shulan Hsieh | Cognitive Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Shulan Hsieh , Cognitive Science, National Cheng Kung University , Taiwan

Prof. Shulan Hsieh is a distinguished Chair Professor at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan, with a remarkable career in cognitive neuroscience and psychology. She earned her D.Phil. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford in 1993. She began her academic journey at National Chung Cheng University, becoming Full Professor by 1999 and later serving as Department Chair and Dean (2003–2009).  she joined NCKU, where she held key academic roles in the Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, and Department of Public Health. She also served as Director of the Institute of Allied Health Sciences (2010–2013) and Chair of the Department of Psychology (2015–2018). Prof. Hsieh has made major contributions to understanding cognitive flexibility, aging, and brain resilience. Her editorial leadership includes roles as Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor in leading journals. With over 100 publications, she continues to lead interdisciplinary research and international collaborations.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Scopus 

Education 🎓

Prof. Shulan Hsieh earned her D.Phil. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford in 1993, where she developed a strong foundation in cognitive science and behavioral neuroscience. Her doctoral training provided expertise in experimental design, neuropsychological testing, and attentional processes. Prior to that, she completed undergraduate and postgraduate education in psychology in Taiwan, establishing her interest in the intersection of cognitive performance and neural mechanisms. This solid academic training enabled her to develop rigorous empirical approaches and establish herself early as a scholar in cognitive psychology. Her Oxford education also laid the groundwork for her international collaborations and editorial roles, and her ability to build comprehensive cross-cultural research paradigms. Her educational path reflects a blend of Western scientific rigor and Eastern academic dedication, supporting her mission to enhance brain health and resilience through research, mentoring, and interdisciplinary training in Taiwan and globally.

Experience 💼

Prof. Hsieh began her academic career at National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan, where she became Full Professor in 1999. She served as Department Chair and Dean (2003–2009), significantly influencing curriculum and faculty development. In 2009, she transitioned to National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), taking on roles in the Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, and Department of Public Health. She served as Director of the Institute of Allied Health Sciences (2010–2013) and later as Chair of the Department of Psychology (2015–2018). Her leadership across departments reflects her interdisciplinary strengths in cognitive science, public health, and psychology. She has supervised numerous Ph.D. and graduate students, led national research initiatives, and managed international collaborations with cognitive scientists in Europe and Israel. With decades of service, she remains an active figure in Taiwan’s academic and research policy landscape, contributing significantly to the global cognitive neuroscience community.

Awards and Honors 🏆

Prof. Shulan Hsieh has received widespread recognition for her scientific contributions and academic leadership. She is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS) since 2012, and a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society since 1998—both honors reserved for researchers with outstanding contributions to psychological science. She is a Member of the American Psychological Association (APA) since 2021 and a Member of the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) since 2018, reflecting her active involvement in global neuroscience and psychology communities. She is also a Member of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness since 2008. These memberships underscore her international reputation and sustained contributions to the scientific study of cognition, consciousness, and aging. Through her editorial roles and participation in research councils and academic reviews, she has significantly influenced research funding, policy, and graduate education. Her work continues to shape the future of cognitive neuroscience in Asia and beyond.

Research Focus 🔬

Prof. Hsieh’s research centers on cognitive science, brain resilience, and aging across the adult lifespan. She explores how executive functions, particularly task-switching and cognitive flexibility, change with age, and how these changes relate to brain organization, especially in the prefrontal cortex. Using both behavioral paradigms and neuroimaging techniques, she investigates mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline and strategies for enhancing brain resilience. She leads several multi-year projects funded by Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), including longitudinal studies profiling cognitive resilience and the development of task-switching paradigms validated across cultures. Her interdisciplinary approach spans psychology, neuroscience, public health, and allied health sciences. She collaborates internationally to translate findings into tools for cognitive health assessment and intervention. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of healthy aging and informs both clinical applications and educational practices for lifelong cognitive enhancement.

Publications 📚

1. Age-related Electrophysical Correlates of Cross-modal Attention Switching

2. Alternation of Psychological Resilience May Moderate Mentalization Toward Mental Health Conditions from Macro- and Microstructure Aspects

3. Age Prediction Using Resting-State Functional MRI

4. Age Differences in the Functional Organization of the Prefrontal Cortex: Analyses of Competing Hypotheses

5. The Mediating Role of Brain Structural Imaging Markers in Connecting Adverse Childhood Experiences and Psychological Resilience

6. DNA Methylation Signature Aberration as Potential Biomarkers in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: Constructing a Methylation Risk Score Using a Machine Learning Method

7. Age Differences of the Hierarchical Cognitive Control and the Frontal Rostro–Caudal Functional Brain Activation

8. Age-related Post-error Slowing and Stimulus Repetition Effect in Motor Inhibition During a Stop-signal Task

9. Adverse Childhood Experiences Are Associated with Reduced Psychological Resilience in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

10. Brain Structural-Behavioral Correlates Underlying Grooved Pegboard Test Performance Across Lifespan