Carlos Lavin | Qualitative Hypotheses | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Carlos Lavin | Qualitative Hypotheses | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor of Special Educaiton at College of Charleston, United States

Dr. Carlos E. Lavín is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the College of Charleston, whose research and teaching center on culturally relevant pedagogy, inclusive education, and the experiences of marginalized students, particularly undocumented Latinx students with disabilities. With a Ph.D. in Special Education from George Mason University, Dr. Lavín has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations that address equity, language, and disability in education. He is recognized for his scholarly contributions and has received several honors, including the CEC Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Award and fellowships from George Mason University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Lavín’s work bridges research and practice through community advocacy, teacher preparation, and student mentorship, making him a leading voice in the movement for equity in special education.

Professional Profile 

🎓 Education of Dr. Carlos Lavin

Dr. Carlos E. Lavín holds a strong academic background in both education and business. He earned his Ph.D. in Special Education from George Mason University in 2020, where he focused on culturally responsive practices and inclusive education for marginalized communities. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education from North Carolina Central University in 2011. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Administration from Loyola University New Orleans in 2006. This interdisciplinary foundation has equipped Dr. Lavín with a unique perspective on educational equity, leadership, and advocacy within the field of special education.

💼 Professional Experience of Dr. Carlos Lavin

Dr. Carlos E. Lavín brings over 15 years of rich and diverse professional experience in special education, research, and teacher preparation. Since 2020, he has served as an Assistant Professor in Special Education at the College of Charleston, where he teaches, mentors, and leads impactful research. His earlier roles include serving as a Graduate Research Assistant at George Mason University and Editorial Assistant for Learning Disabilities Research and Practice. Dr. Lavín has also held multiple roles in K-12 education, including Special Education Team Leader, Resource Teacher, and Interpreter/Translator across various schools in North Carolina. His practical classroom experience, combined with his academic leadership, positions him as a well-rounded educator and researcher committed to advancing equity and excellence in special education.

🔬 Research Interests of Dr. Carlos Lavín

Dr. Carlos E. Lavín’s research is deeply rooted in advancing equity and inclusion within special education. His primary interests focus on culturally relevant pedagogy, inclusive education for English learners (ELs), and the intersection of disability, language, and immigration status—particularly among undocumented Latinx students with disabilities. He explores how teacher preparation programs can disrupt deficit narratives and better support culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Dr. Lavín is also engaged in international research on inclusive education in Mexico City and is committed to amplifying marginalized voices through methodologies like testimonios and critical qualitative research. His work not only challenges dominant narratives but also provides practical strategies for educators to foster more just and responsive learning environments.

🏆 Awards and Honors of Dr. Carlos Lavín

Dr. Carlos E. Lavín has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to special education and his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2023, he received the prestigious CEC Emerging Special Educators of Color Leadership Travel Award, highlighting his leadership in culturally responsive education. During his doctoral studies at George Mason University, he was awarded multiple honors, including the College of Education and Human Development Fellowship (2018, 2019) and the Helen Keller Scholarship for his work at the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities. Earlier in his career, he was also the recipient of the North Carolina Excellence Fellowship and the Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice Service Grant at UNC-Chapel Hill. These accolades reflect Dr. Lavín’s impactful scholarship and service within the field of special education.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Carlos E. Lavín is exceptionally qualified for the Best Researcher Award. His scholarly excellence in Consistent and impactful publications, High-level conference engagement, Strong community and educational influence, Deep commitment to equity and diversity in education.

📚 Publications Top Noted

  1. Hispanic caregiver experiences supporting positive postschool outcomes for young adults with disabilities
    Authors: G.L. Francis, J.M.S. Gross, C.E. Lavín, L.A.C. Velazquez, N. Sheets
    Journal: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 56(5), 337–353
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 38

  2. Perceptions of inclusive education in Mexico City: An exploratory study
    Authors: C.E. Lavín, G.L. Francis, L.H. Mason, R.F. LeSueur
    Journal: International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 69(3), 1065–1079
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 30

  3. Facing double jeopardy: The transition experiences of Latina family caregivers of young adults with disabilities living in a rural community
    Authors: G.L. Francis, J.M.S. Gross, C.E. Lavín, L.A. Casarez Velazquez, N. Sheets
    Journal: Rural Special Education Quarterly, 39(1), 17–34
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 29

  4. Back to Basics: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Special Education
    Authors: C.E. Lavín, A. Jordan, G.L. Francis
    Journal: The High School Journal, 105(1), 5–16
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 24

  5. Inclusive education definitions and practices: Exploring perspectives of education professionals in Mexico City
    Authors: G.L. Francis, C.E. Lavín, J. Sanchez, A.S. Reed, L. Mason
    Journal: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(1), 58–67
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 23

  6. A systematic review of intervention studies for young children with emotional and behavioral disorders: identifying the research base
    Authors: J.W. McKenna, F. Brigham, J. Garwood, L. Zurawski, M. Koc, C. Lavín, …
    Journal: Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 21(2), 120–145
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 18

  7. The Dearth of Published Intervention Studies About English Learners with Learning Disabilities or Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Special Education
    Authors: C.E. Lavín, L. Mason, R. LeSueur, P. Haspel
    Journal: Learning Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 25(1), 18–27
    Year: 2020
    Citations: 12

  8. Promoting positive freedoms for secondary students with emotional and behavioral disorders: The role of instruction
    Authors: F.J. Brigham, J.W. McKenna, C.E. Lavín, M.M. Brigham, L. Zurawski
    Book Chapter: Viewpoints on interventions for learners with disabilities, 31–53
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 10

  9. Reflective journaling: A path toward cultural competence for teacher candidates in special education
    Authors: C.E. Lavín, J. Goodman
    Journal: Teaching and Teacher Education, 133, 104300
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 8

  10. Engaging families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in virtual individualized education program meetings
    Authors: D.M. Feeney, C.E. Lavín, M. Matute-Chavarria, H. Park, Y.J. Hsiao
    Journal: Journal of Special Education Technology, 39(2), 277–286
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 6

Yan Zhang | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Yan Zhang | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at Tangshan University, China

Dr. Yan Zhang is an accomplished Associate Professor specializing in linguistics and applied linguistics at the School of Foreign Languages, Tangshan University. She holds a Ph.D. from Beijing Language and Culture University and has enriched her academic perspective through international exposure as a visiting scholar at the University of Northern Colorado, USA. Her research focuses on the contrastive study of Chinese and English language and culture, prosody, phonetics, and foreign language teaching. Dr. Zhang has successfully led 11 research projects, including six at the provincial and ministerial level, and has published a monograph along with 21 academic papers, including three in SSCI-indexed journals. Her work has earned her several academic awards and positions on editorial boards and peer review panels for international journals. With multilingual proficiency and deep academic involvement, she stands as a respected figure in the field of language and linguistics research.

Professional Profile 

🎓 Educational Background of Dr. Yan Zhang

Dr. Yan Zhang possesses a strong and diverse academic foundation in linguistics and foreign language studies. She earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from Beijing Language and Culture University in 2018, following a Master’s degree in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics from Xinjiang Normal University in 2009. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Hebei University of Economics and Business in 2006. To further broaden her international perspective and research capabilities, she also served as a visiting scholar at the University of Northern Colorado, USA, from October 2022 to October 2023, sponsored by the China Scholarship Council. This robust educational background has laid a solid foundation for her academic career and cross-cultural linguistic research.

💼 Professional Experience of Dr. Yan Zhang

Dr. Yan Zhang currently serves as an Associate Professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Tangshan University, where she focuses on linguistics, applied linguistics, and foreign language education. With a career dedicated to both teaching and research, she has led 11 significant research projects, including six funded by provincial and ministerial agencies. Her professional expertise extends to areas such as prosody, syntactic ambiguity, phonetics, and educational reform. In addition to her academic duties, Dr. Zhang has contributed as a peer reviewer for several international journals, including the Journal of Educational Issues and Journal of Education and Linguistics Research, and holds memberships in renowned organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA). Her career also includes service as an editorial board member and active participation in academic societies, demonstrating her leadership and influence in the field of language and linguistic research.

🔬 Research Interests of Dr. Yan Zhang

Dr. Yan Zhang’s research interests lie at the intersection of linguistics, applied linguistics, and foreign language education, with a strong emphasis on cross-cultural and contrastive studies. Her work particularly focuses on the contrastive analysis of Chinese and English language and culture, as well as prosodic disambiguation, phonetics, and syntactic ambiguity in modern Chinese. She is also deeply engaged in exploring innovative approaches to college English teaching, including the integration of Project-Based Learning (PBL) and VR technology. In addition, Dr. Zhang has investigated the phonetic characteristics of Pingju Opera, the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, and dialect studies as part of her broader sociolinguistic pursuits. Her interdisciplinary research reflects a commitment to advancing both theoretical knowledge and practical applications in language learning and cultural communication.

🏅 Awards and Honors of Dr. Yan Zhang

Dr. Yan Zhang has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to linguistic research and language education through several prestigious awards. She received the Second Prize in the 16th Excellent Higher Education Scientific Research Achievements from the Hebei Higher Education Society in 2018 for her work on optimizing English major teaching in digital environments. Her earlier contributions also earned her the Third Prize in the 15th and 14th Tangshan Social Science Excellent Achievements Awards in 2016 and 2014, respectively—highlighting her studies on communicative context in literary analysis and speech production in aphasia patients. These honors reflect Dr. Zhang’s consistent dedication to academic excellence, impactful research, and innovative approaches to language and communication studies.

🧾 Conclusion

Dr. Yan Zhang demonstrates consistent, impactful, and interdisciplinary research output, with clear leadership in linguistics, phonetics, and applied language education. Her success in managing multiple research projects, receiving accolades, and engaging with the academic community both nationally and internationally make her a strong and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

📚 Publications Top Noted

1. Effects of an emotional intelligence training program on alleviating internet addiction of college students at the risk of internet addiction in China

  • Title: Effects of an emotional intelligence training program on alleviating internet addiction of college students at the risk of internet addiction in China
  • Authors: Chunlin Yao; Yan Zhang; Haili Hou
  • Year: 2025
  • Citation (APA): Yao, C., Zhang, Y., & Hou, H. (2025). Effects of an emotional intelligence training program on alleviating internet addiction of college students at the risk of internet addiction in China. Acta Psychologica. Advance online publication.

2. Investigating the Effects of Adaptive Phonetic Training on the Perception of English Vowels Among Learners in China

  • Title: Investigating the Effects of Adaptive Phonetic Training on the Perception of English Vowels Among Learners in China
  • Authors: Yan Zhang; Chunlin Yao
  • Year: 2025
  • Citation (APA): Zhang, Y., & Yao, C. (2025). Investigating the effects of adaptive phonetic training on the perception of English vowels among learners in China. SAGE Open, Advance online publication.

3. Reform of College English Teaching Model: Embracing Mobile-Assisted Collaborative Language Learning

  • Title: Reform of College English Teaching Model: Embracing Mobile-Assisted Collaborative Language Learning
  • Author: Yan Zhang
  • Year: 2025
  • Citation (APA): Zhang, Y. (2025, February 10). Reform of College English teaching model: Embracing mobile-assisted collaborative language learning. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies. Advance online publication