Prof. Shulan Hsieh | Cognitive Science | Best Researcher Award

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

 

 

 

 

Ali Esmaeilzadeh Pilehroud | Child and adolescent psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Ali Esmaeilzadeh Pilehroud | Child and adolescent psychology | Best Researcher Award

Teacher and university professor at Allameh Tabataba’i University, Iran.

Dr. Ali Esmaeilzadeh Pilehroud is a dedicated scholar and practitioner in the fields of psychology and neuroscience, with a deep commitment to child mental health and cognitive development. Based at Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran, he combines academic research with field-based psychological support for school children. With numerous publications and books, his interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical therapy, cognitive neuroscience, and developmental psychology. He is a recognized member of Iran’s psychological community and continues to contribute to both national and international research efforts.

Professional Profile

Google Scholar

Education🎓

  • Ph.D. in Psychology, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran

Experience💼

Dr. Ali Esmaeilzadeh Pilehroud serves as a teacher and university professor at Allameh Tabataba’i University, where he has actively contributed to both academic instruction and research in psychology and neuroscience. His work involves hands-on participation in therapy-related initiatives targeting elementary school children, integrating theoretical expertise with practical applications. He has collaborated on national research projects focused on neuroscience and child cognition, and serves as a mentor in academic and clinical psychology settings.

Research Interest🔬

  • Child psychology and early cognitive development

  • Neuroscience applications in therapeutic settings

  • Psychotherapy methods in educational environments

  • Immune response and HIV-related cognitive research

  • Behavioral analysis and intervention design for school-aged children

Top Noted Publications📚

  1. Title: Lack of Association Between Interleukin-10 Gene Promoter Polymorphisms with HIV Susceptibility and Progression to AIDS
    Authors: A. Ramezani, E. Kalantar, A. Aghakhani, M. Banifazl, M. Foroughi, A. Esmaeilzadeh, et al.
    Journal: Iranian Journal of Pathology
    Volume: 10(2), Pages: 141
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 10
    Focus: Investigates genetic polymorphisms in the IL-10 promoter and their association with HIV progression, concluding no significant link.
    Link (Journal homepage)

  1. Title: Evaluation of Acquired HIV Drug Resistance Among People Living with HIV Who Have Taken Antiretroviral Therapy for 9–15 Months in 14 Triangular Clinics in Iran, 2015–2016
    Authors: M. Mohraz, K. Tayeri, H. Namdari Tabar, Z. Bayat Jozani, L. Sadeghi, A. Esmaeilzadeh, et al.
    Journal: Intervirology
    Volume: 61(6), Pages: 292–300
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 9
    Focus: Evaluates early HIV drug resistance patterns in Iranian clinics, informing ART strategy adjustments.
    DOI:10.1159/000499162

  1. Title: Different Degrees of Immune Recovery Using Antiretroviral Regimens with Vonavir or Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Efavirenz in HIV-Positive Patients Receiving First Line Treatment in Iran
    Authors: L. Sadeghi, S. Moallemi, R.A. Tabatabai, A. Esmaeilzadeh, S. Ahsani-Nasab, et al.
    Journal: Infectious Disorders – Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets – Infectious Disorders)
    Volume/Issue: Not clearly specified
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 3
    Focus: Compares immune recovery rates across two different ART regimens among newly treated HIV-positive individuals.
    Journal site

  1. Title: Enhanced Immune Responses Against HIV-1 with Adenovector (gag and tat) Prime/Protein Boost Regimen and GM-CSF Injection
    Authors: N.H. Rouzbahani, S. Bayanolhagh, M. Gholami, A. Esmaeilzadeh, Z.B. Jozani, et al.
    Journal: Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
    Pages: 403–412
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 2
    Focus: Examines a novel prime-boost vaccine strategy for HIV using GM-CSF to enhance immune response.
    Journal site

  1. Title: Comparing Theory of Mind and Executive Functions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Normal Individuals
    Authors: Nikjou Vakilabad, A. Esmaeilzadeh Pilehroud
    Journal: Disruption in Design
    Year: 2024
    Focus: Analyzes cognitive differences across clinical and healthy groups using theory of mind and executive function measures.
    Note: Citation data and volume not yet indexed (recent publication). Likely part of interdisciplinary psychology/neuroscience journal or conference proceedings.

Conclusion

Dr. Ali Esmaeilzadeh Pilehroud exemplifies the qualities of a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary scholar in the domain of child and adolescent psychology. His contributions to research, education, and clinical intervention demonstrate exceptional commitment to improving mental health outcomes for young populations. His integration of neuroscience and therapy within educational settings, along with involvement in HIV-related neurodevelopmental studies, marks him as a well-rounded and impactful researcher.