Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

Dr. Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena | Medicine and Health Sciences | Lecturer | University Of Johannesburg | South Africa

Dr. Louisa Mokoena is an accomplished academic and professional in the field of radiation therapy and radiography, recognized for her expertise in oncology, medical imaging, and higher education. With extensive experience as both a clinical practitioner and an academic leader, she has contributed significantly to advancing the knowledge, practice, and training standards in radiation sciences. Her career reflects a balance between rigorous scholarship, student mentorship, and impactful research addressing the evolving needs of medical and radiation science communities. She has established herself as a thought leader in the discipline, actively engaging in research, supervision, and academic program development, while also playing a central role in shaping policies and practices within professional councils and academic institutions.

Professional Profile 

Education

Dr. Louisa Mokoena has pursued an academic pathway grounded in health sciences and radiography. She earned her doctoral degree in Health Sciences with a specialization in Medical and Radiation Sciences, advancing knowledge in clinical and educational aspects of radiation therapy. Prior to her doctorate, she completed advanced qualifications in both therapeutic and diagnostic radiography, equipping her with a strong foundation for clinical practice and academic research. These qualifications provided her with the interdisciplinary expertise required to work across oncology, medical imaging, and radiation therapy, and later enabled her to take on leadership roles within higher education and professional accreditation bodies. Her educational achievements have positioned her as a credible authority in teaching, clinical practice, and scholarly contributions in her field.

Experience

Throughout her career, Dr. Louisa Mokoena has gained extensive experience across academic, clinical, and leadership roles. In academia, she has served as a lecturer and coordinator for radiation therapy programs, where she is actively involved in curriculum design, postgraduate supervision, and student mentorship. She has guided numerous master’s and doctoral candidates, contributing to the growth of emerging researchers in medical and radiation sciences. In her clinical career, she practiced as a radiographer across leading oncology and diagnostic centers, where she specialized in treatment planning, dosimetry, and applied psychology in radiation therapy.

Research Interest

Dr. Louisa Mokoena’s research interests reflect her commitment to bridging education, clinical practice, and professional development in medical imaging and radiation therapy. She has conducted studies addressing communication barriers in multicultural healthcare environments, the professional identity of radiographers, and the experiences of therapeutic radiography students in oncology departments. Another area of her research focuses on mental health support frameworks for students, contributing to strategies that improve resilience and academic success. In addition, she has explored the role of artificial intelligence in medical imaging education, analyzing how technology can support student learning and assessment. Her diverse research portfolio highlights a commitment to improving both the academic and professional landscapes of radiation sciences, while also contributing to international collaborations and cross-disciplinary studies.

Award

Dr. Louisa Mokoena has been recognized for her leadership and dedication to the advancement of health sciences and education. She has played a vital role in professional accreditation through the Health Professions Council, where she contributed to ensuring the quality of radiography and radiation therapy training centers. She has also received recognition for her contributions to student mentorship, curriculum innovation, and the development of sustainable academic programs in her field. Her dedication to advancing clinical education and research excellence has positioned her as a deserving candidate for prestigious awards honoring excellence in health sciences and medical education.

Selected Publication

  • Overcoming Communication Barriers in a Multicultural Radiography Setting – 2021 – 18 citations

  • The Experiences of Sonographers with Regard to Report Writing and Communicating Their Findings – 2022 – 15 citations

  • Diagnostic Radiographers’ Perceptions of Professional Identity in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa – 2024 – 12 citations

  • Medical Imaging and Radiation Science Students’ Use of Artificial Intelligence for Learning and Assessment – 2024 – 22 citations

  • Diagnostic Radiographers’ Experiences with Paediatric Patients During Radiography Examinations in Malawi – A Qualitative Study – 2025 – 10 citations

Conclusion

Dr. Louisa Mokoena is a highly respected academic, researcher, and professional leader whose contributions have significantly shaped the field of radiation sciences. Her expertise combines advanced education, extensive clinical practice, and strong leadership in both academia and professional councils. She has produced impactful research addressing critical issues in medical imaging and education, published in recognized international journals, and supervised a large number of postgraduate students who continue to contribute to the field. Beyond her academic and research excellence, she has influenced the standards of radiation therapy education through her roles in professional accreditation and curriculum development. Dr. Louisa Mokoen outstanding achievements, combined with her leadership potential and commitment to advancing healthcare education and practice, make her an exceptional candidate deserving of recognition through this award nomination.

 

Yasser Khazaal | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Research Hypothesis

Yasser Khazaal | Medicine and Health Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr Yasser Khazaal, Lausanne university, Switzerland

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in addiction psychiatry. He earned his MD from René Descartes, Paris V, and Swiss Board Certification in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. Currently, he is a Full Professor at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and holds multiple roles including Associate Researcher at Montreal University. Prof. Khazaal’s research focuses on cognitive behavioral therapies, game-based interventions, and the development of smartphone apps for addiction treatment. He has published extensively on addictive disorders and is a key figure in international psychiatric societies. 🏥📚🔬

Publication Profile

google scholar

Education

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal is a distinguished psychiatrist with an impressive academic background. He earned his MD from René Descartes, Paris V, France, in 1998. In 2005, he achieved Swiss Board Certification in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. His expertise and contributions were further recognized with his appointment as a Privat Docent (senior lecturer) at Geneva University in 2009. Dr. Khazaal is known for his work in psychiatry and psychotherapy, holding a prominent position in the academic and clinical communities in Switzerland. 🌐🩺📚

Employment History

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal has an extensive background in addiction psychiatry. From 2003 to 2005, he served as a senior psychiatrist and head of the mood and anxiety disorders outpatient unit at Lausanne University Hospital. From 2007 to 2018, he was the deputy head of the Addiction clinic at Geneva University Hospitals. Over the years, he held successive academic appointments at Geneva University, Switzerland, eventually becoming a full professor of addiction psychiatry at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne since 2019. He is also a member of the board of Addiction medicine at Lausanne University Hospital. Prof. Khazaal is an associate researcher at the Montreal University Institute of Mental Health, Canada, and an associate professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Montreal University, Canada. Additionally, he served as a visiting professor at Kazimierz Wielki University, Poland, in 2022, as part of a project co-financed by the European Union. 📘🔍🌍

Teaching

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal has extensive experience in teaching medical students at both the University of Lausanne (2003-2007, 2019-2023) and the University of Geneva (2007-2018). His teaching portfolio includes courses on mood and anxiety disorders (2003-2007), psychopharmacology (2006-2007), addiction (2019-2023), and community research in practice (2021-2023). He has also taught and supervised clinical cognitive and behavior therapy (CBT) skills (2018-2023), CBT for bipolar disorder (2007), CBT for mood disorders (2005-2006), and CBT of impulsive behaviors (2020). Prof. Dr. Khazaal is committed to integrating clinical teaching and practice in his courses. 📚💬🧠

Grants 

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal is a leading researcher in addiction and mental health, with extensive funding from various Swiss and international sources. His projects include studies on cognitive behavioral interventions for psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders, smoking cessation, and smartphone applications for addiction treatment. Key grants include the Swiss National Science Foundation (268,426 CHF) and Astra-Zeneca (140,000 CHF) for LACOSMA, as well as research on “Impact of Pick Klop game on smoking cessation” (172,500 CHF) and smartphone applications (194,942 CHF). He collaborates internationally on projects such as managing trauma exposure in Congo (12,125 Euros) and the “Sesame” serious game for mental health (20,000 CHF). His work continues to advance the field with a focus on innovative and practical solutions to addiction and mental health challenges. 🧠💊🚬

Conferences and Awards

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal is a distinguished academic and leader in the field of social psychiatry. He served as the Chair for the European Congress of Social Psychiatry in 2012, 2015, and 2018. He was also the Co-chair for the International Conference of Behavioral Addictions in 2016, held in Geneva, Switzerland. More recently, he co-chaired the Challenges of Ecology Related to Mental Health conference in Athens in 2022. In recognition of his contributions, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the World Association of Social Psychiatry in 2013. 🌍🔍💬

Scientific Achievements

Prof. Dr. Yasser Khazaal is a renowned expert in addiction studies, focusing on game-based interventions, including delusions and smoking cessation. He has contributed significantly to the development of smartphone app interventions for addictive disorders and mood regulation. Prof. Khazaal has published extensively on the assessment and psychopathology of addictive disorders. He also leads research on Recovery Oriented Services, exploring community interventions and peer support initiatives. 🌱📱🚭📚

Research Focus

Yasser Khazaal is a researcher primarily focused on behavioral addictions, particularly in the context of online gaming and internet use. His work explores how common behaviors can become problematic without necessarily being pathologized as addiction. He investigates self-reported motivations behind playing online games, such as World of Warcraft, and examines problematic involvement in these games using various psychological and survey methods. Khazaal’s research aims to refine the understanding of behavioral addiction and its implications for mental health, with a particular interest in the validation and adaptation of assessment tools for addictive behaviors in digital environments. 💻🕹️📊

Publication Top notes

Are we overpathologizing everyday life? A tenable blueprint for behavioral addiction research

How can we conceptualize behavioural addiction without pathologizing common behaviours?

Why do you play World of Warcraft? An in-depth exploration of self-reported motivations to play online and in-game behaviours in the virtual world of Azeroth

French validation of the internet addiction test

Validation of a short French version of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale

Problematic involvement in online games: A cluster analytic approach

Does self-selection affect samples’ representativeness in online surveys? An investigation in online video game research

Motivations to play specifically predict excessive involvement in massively multiplayer online role-playing games: evidence from an online survey