Fereshteh Abbasi | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Dr. Fereshteh Abbasi | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Researcher | The University of Tehran | Iran

Dr. Fereshteh Abbasi is a horticultural science researcher whose work centers on optimizing greenhouse production systems, improving floricultural crop performance, and advancing controlled environment agriculture. Her research spans the physiology of ornamental plants, plant nutrition, and responses of cut flower species particularly Lilium hybrids to environmental and nutritional variables. With a growing scholarly footprint that includes 3 research publications, 15 citations, and an h-index of 2, her contributions reflect a focused and emerging expertise in floriculture physiology and soilless cultivation technologies. Her studies investigate critical factors such as nutrient solution composition, calcium ammonium ratios, and the efficiency of aeroponic and ultrasonic soilless systems to enhance growth, yield, and postharvest quality. Dr. Abbasi’s work on biochemical and morphological responses of Lilium cultivars to growth regulators such as salicylic acid and benzyl adenine adds significant insight into improving vase life and stress tolerance in ornamentals. Additionally, she has explored the effects of macro- and nano-nutrient applications on physiological traits, contributing to sustainable and high-efficiency greenhouse management practices. Overall, her research advances knowledge in modern horticulture by integrating plant physiology, applied biotechnology, and innovative cultivation systems to support the development of resilient and high-quality floricultural products.

Profiles: Scopus | Google Scholar 

Featured Publication

Abbasi, F., Khandan-Mirkohi, A., Haji Ahmad, A., Kafi, M., & Shokrpour, M. Optimization of aeroponic and ultrasonic soilless culture systems in terms of timing and growth characteristics of Lilium OT hybrid

Eleni Andreou | Psychology | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Eleni Andreou | Psychology | Research Excellence Award

Professor | The University of Thessaly | Greece

Prof. Eleni Andreou is a leading scholar in educational psychology whose research has significantly shaped contemporary understanding of bullying, peer aggression, school climate, and student psychosocial adjustment. Her work integrates developmental, cognitive, and socio-emotional perspectives to examine how interpersonal relationships, coping responses, and contextual factors influence children’s and adolescents’ behavior within educational settings. With 48 scholarly documents, over 1,300 citations, and an h-index of 19, her research is recognized internationally for both theoretical contribution and applied impact. A major focus of her scholarship examines bully victim dynamics, emphasizing the role of self-efficacy, coping strategies, social cognition, and resilience in children’s responses to aggression. Through longitudinal and intervention-based studies, she has demonstrated how intentional programming, bibliotherapy, and prevention frameworks can positively influence student attitudes, reduce victimization, and enhance school belonging. Her also explore early childhood bullying, using naturalistic observation and multimethod assessment to uncover how aggression emerges and interacts with contextual variables in preschool environments.Microaggressions, inclusion challenges, and academic adjustment. These works offer evidence based insights for fostering equitable learning environments and strengthening support systems within schools and universities. Across her collaborative international projects, she contributes to large scale cross cultural examinations of peer aggression, socio emotional competencies, and student well being.

Profiles:  Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Vlachou, A., Stavroussi, P., Andreou, E., & Toulia, A. The development of the “Checklist for Life Skills Educational Assessment” (CLSEA). Education Sciences.

Touloupis, T., Andreou, E., & Chasapis, D.  Relations among perceived school context-related factors, cyberbullying, and school adjustment: An examination between native and immigrant students in elementary and secondary education.

Didaskalou, E., Cefai, C., Brighi, A., Bravo-Sanzana, M., Bochaver, A., Bauman, S., & Andreou, E.  A global study of the wellbeing of adolescent students during the COVID-19 2020 lockdown.

Magdalena Sobieska | Rewards & Recognition | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Magdalena Sobieska | Rewards & Recognition | Research Excellence Award

Dept. of Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy | The University of  Poznań University of Medical Sciences | Poland

Prof. Magdalena Sobieska is a distinguished researcher whose scholarly contributions sit at the intersection of immunology, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation medicine. Her work is characterized by a sustained commitment to understanding the biological mechanisms underpinning inflammatory responses, acute phase reactions, and immune activation in both clinical and physiotherapeutic contexts. With 117 scientific documents, 1,868 citations, and an h-index of 20, she has established herself as an influential figure in multidisciplinary biomedical research. A major thematic focus of her research involves the clinical applicability of acute phase proteins, cytokines, and biochemical markers in diverse medical conditions. She has extensively investigated their diagnostic and prognostic value in rheumatic diseases, traumatic injuries, inflammatory disorders, and immune related pathologies. Her studies have contributed valuable insights into how inflammatory biomarkers respond to physical activity, stress, physiotherapy interventions, and complex disease states. Prof. Sobieska has also made important scientific advances in the fields of exercise immunology, rehabilitation sciences, and rheumatologic diagnostics, demonstrating how laboratory-based biomarker profiling can be integrated into personalized therapeutic strategies. Her early contributions to understanding immunological disturbances in mental health disorders and metabolic diseases have provided additional depth to her multidisciplinary approach. Her international collaborations broadened her expertise in eosinophil activation, cytokine regulation, and immune pathways that influence chronic inflammatory conditions.

Profiles:  Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications

Pawlak-Andryszczyk, Ż., Andryszczyk, M., & Sobieska, M. Movements induced by optic flow in relation to HINE.

Bieniaszewska, A., Sobieska, M., & Gajewska, E. ,Functional and structural analysis of SITTER patients with spinal muscular atrophy.

Gajewska, E., Surowińska, J., Chałupka, A., Moczko, J., Michalak, M., & Sobieska, The qualitative motor assessment at three months allows a better prognosis than the traction test.

Christina Tassi | Mental Health Programs | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Dr. Christina Tassi | Mental Health Programs | Research Excellence Award

Postdoctoral Researcher | The University of  Ioannina | Greece

Dr. Christina Tassi is a scholar in counseling psychology whose work bridges group counseling theory, person centered facilitative conditions, and positive psychology interventions. Her research emphasizes the psychosocial development and emotional well-being of children and adolescents, with a particular focus on those facing psychological economic hardship. Through her publications and collaborative research, she has contributed valuable insights into how group processes, therapeutic factors, and supportive interpersonal climates can enhance participants’ resilience, adjustment, and overall mental health. Across 7 peer reviewed publications, Dr. Tassi’s research demonstrates methodological rigor and applied relevance, yielding a measurable scholarly impact reflected in 68 citations and an h-index of 4. Her studies explore a range of topics, including process outcome relationships in positive psychological interventions, person centered attitudes among facilitators, and the mechanisms through which group programs foster emotional growth in school-age populations. She has also examined the effectiveness of online positive psychology interventions implemented during the  pandemic, contributing early evidence on the feasibility and therapeutic value of digital group-based mental health support. Dr. Tassi has co authored a book on positive psychology and contributed chapters focusing on poverty’s psychological effects on children, strengths-based counseling, and psychoeducational interventions for youth with diverse needs. Her interdisciplinary collaborations reflect a commitment to advancing evidence-based practices in educational and therapeutic contexts.

Profile:  Scopus 

Featured Publication

Tassi, C., & Brouzos, A. Therapeutic factors in a group positive psychological intervention  for primary school students facing parental psychological economic hardship. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology.

Svetlana Fa Nedeljkovic | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award | 2704

Published on by Human Resources Management

Dr. Svetlana Fa Nedeljkovic | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Senior Research Associate | The University of  Faculty of Sciences University of Novi Sad | Serbia

Dr. Svetlana Fa Nedeljković is a distinguished researcher whose scientific contributions lie at the intersection of reproductive toxicology, developmental biology, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic regulation. Her work advances fundamental understanding of how environmental contaminants particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with cellular signaling, steroidogenesis, reproductive development, and early-life programming of health and disease. With a research portfolio comprising 35 peer-reviewed publications, 578 citations, and an h-index of 17, she has made a sustained and influential impact within the fields of toxicology and environmental health sciences. Her research spans multiple biological systems, including human granulosa cells, endothelial cells, zebrafish models, and rodent reproductive cells, enabling multi-layered insight into mechanisms of toxicity. She has significantly contributed to deciphering how chemicals such as phthalates bisphenol A, atrazine, and hexabromocyclododecane alter intracellular pathways, including linked regulatory cascades. Her findings helped reveal how these pathways subsequently impact steroid hormone synthesis, mitochondrial function, angiogenesis, reproductive competence, and cellular homeostasis. A notable dimension of her work addresses the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease  through epigenetic changes in early fetal tissues. Her studies on methylation patterns in response to maternal exposures have contributed valuable evidence for understanding how early environmental influences shape long-term physiological outcomes. Dr. Nedeljković has also engaged in extensive collaborative research across international projects focusing on reproductive biology, ecotoxicology, chemical risk assessment, and artificial intelligence based toxicological modeling. Her work integrates in vitro, in vivo, in silico, and systems-level approaches to build mechanistic frameworks for predicting human health risks. Through her broad and methodologically diverse contributions, Dr. Nedeljković continues to advance cutting edge research aimed at protecting reproductive health and improving scientific foundations for chemical safety evaluation.

Profiles:  Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications

Tesic, B., Fa Nedeljkovic, S., Markovic Filipovic, J., Samardzija Nenadov, D., Pogrmic-Majkic, K., & Andric, N. Early-life exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate impairs reproduction in adult female zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Tesic, B., Samardzija Nenadov, D., Tomanic, T., Fa Nedeljkovic, S., Milatovic, S., Stanic, B., Pogrmic-Majkic, K., & Andric, N. DEHP decreases steroidogenesis through the cAMP and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in FSH-stimulated human granulosa cells.

Stanic, B., Milošević, N., Sukur, N., Samardzija Nenadov, D., Fa Nedeljkovic, S., Škrbić, S., & Andric, N.  An in silico toxicogenomic approach in constructing the aflatoxin B1-mediated regulatory network of hub genes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sarina Hui-Lin Chien | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Sarina Hui-Lin Chien | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Professor | The University of China Medical University | Taiwan

Prof. Sarina Hui-Lin Chien is a cognitive neuroscientist whose research bridges perceptual development, face processing, and early cognitive mechanisms across the lifespan. Her scholarly work, reflected in 32 peer-reviewed publications, over 307 citations, and an h-index of 12, demonstrates strong and sustained contributions to understanding how humans interpret, encode, and respond to complex visual and social information. A major theme in her research involves the developmental trajectory of face perception, including sensitivity to identity, race, emotional expressions, and trait inferences. She has conducted extensive studies examining how infants, children, and adults categorize faces, perceive trustworthiness, and discriminate subtle facial cues. This work extends to populations with atypical development, such as individuals with autism spectrum characteristics, providing insights into perceptual and social cognitive variability. Her investigations also contribute significantly to perceptual organization and early visual cognition, including studies on topological and geometric properties, visual short term memory, and the mechanisms underlying perceptual narrowing. By integrating behavioral methods, psychophysics, and eye tracking, she advances multi method approaches to understanding how perception evolves and adapts under different developmental and environmental conditions. Another core dimension of her scholarship explores how context, familiarity, and essentialist thinking shape visual categorization, race perception, and social preferences. This line of work intersects cognitive development with social cognition, offering a broader framework for understanding how perceptual biases emerge and change over time. Her recent projects investigate the impact of public health contexts such as mask-wearing on face recognition and emotional interpretation in children, reflecting her interest in real-world influences on cognitive development. Overall, Prof. Chien’s body of work illustrates a coherent and influential research program that deepens scientific understanding of visual cognition, developmental trajectories, and the foundations of human social perception.

Featured Publications

Ali, M., & Chien, S. H.-L. Within-person face recognition strongly correlates with objective face processing assessments: A study beyond the populations.

Lin, C.-Y., Ho, M. W.-R., & Chien, S. H.-L.  Exploring face perception efficiency in patients with lacunar stroke: A study with familiar and unfamiliar face recognition.

Wang, H.-T., Lyu, J.-L., & Chien, S. H.-L.  Dynamic emotion recognition and expression imitation in neurotypical adults and their associations with autistic traits. Sensors.

Junfeng Zhao | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Junfeng Zhao | Learning & Development | Research Excellence Award

Professor | The University of Henan University | China

Prof. Junfeng Zhao is an influential researcher in psychology whose scholarship integrates educational, developmental, health, and social psychology to address learning, adaptation, and mental health among children and adolescents. Across 98 publications, with 1,349 citations and an h-index of 26, his body of work combines rigorous empirical methods, longitudinal designs, and interdisciplinary approaches to investigate resilience, peer attachment, self-esteem, and school adaptation. He emphasizes applied outcomes measurement development, intervention design, and translation to educational practice while advancing theoretical understanding of developmental processes. A major strand of his research focuses on children affected by social disadvantages such as left-behind children, and those with sensory impairments examining risk and protective factors that shape psychological outcomes. Through multi-year tracking studies and psychometric scale evaluation, he has produced validated instruments and intervention-informed findings that clarify how family dynamics, peer relationships, and school contexts contribute to mental health trajectories. This work informs community based strategies and educational policies aimed at improving psychosocial supports for vulnerable groups. In educational psychology, his studies illuminate learning motivation, cognitive styles, learning strategies, and classroom processes, offering practical implications for curriculum design and teacher training. His research addresses early identification models for learning difficulties, the neural correlates of cognitive control and the psychological underpinnings of teacher professional identity and its influence on student well being. The portfolio demonstrates a productive mix of quantitative, qualitative, and neurophysiological methods. Methodologically, Zhao emphasizes mixed methods, longitudinal analyses, culturally sensitive measurement, and robust psychometrics strengthening the reliability and applicability of findings across contexts. His publications consistently bridge theory and practice, targeting educators, clinicians, and policymakers. The cumulative impact of his research lies in deepening understanding of how developmental mechanisms interact with social environments and in providing evidence-based frameworks for interventions that promote resilience and healthy development in children and adolescents. Overall, his work offers actionable frameworks for policy and practice.

Featured Publications

Huang, G., Qian, C., Newman-Norlund, R. D., Zhao, J., & Li, X.  Perceived stigma mediates the relationship between regional gray matter volume and aggressive behavior in children affected by parental.

Ji, L., Yu, Y., Wan, J., Zhang, Y., Zhao, J., & Chen, C. Relationship between cumulative peer risk and sense of security among adolescents: A moderated mediation model. BMC Psychology.

Wan, J., Ji, L., Wang, Z., Zhao, J., & Li, X.  Social exclusion and mental health of youths affected by parental HIV/AIDS in China: Based on a serial mediating model.

Chen, C., Wu, Q., Zhao, J., Zhao, G., Li, X., Du, H., & Chi, P. Enacted stigma influences bereavement coping among children orphaned by parental. A longitudinal study with network analysis.

Wu, J., Li, Q., Chi, P., Zhao, J., & Zhao, J. Mindfulness and well-being among socioeconomically disadvantaged college students: Roles of resilience and perceived discrimination.

Bingfei Gu | Rewards & Recognition | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Prof. Dr. Bingfei Gu | Rewards & Recognition | Research Excellence Award

Professor | The University of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University | China

Prof. Dr. Bingfei Gu is a prominent researcher in the interdisciplinary domain of digital apparel engineering, computational ergonomics, and intelligent garment technologies. With a scholarly record of 81 publications, 255 citations, and an h-index of 11, the author has built a strong research presence that spans human body modeling, fabric behavior simulation, and advanced garment design systems. Their work integrates computational methods, image processing, 3D point cloud analytics, and artificial intelligence to address long-standing challenges in apparel fit, pattern generation, body measurement accuracy, and digital clothing representation. A central focus of the author’s research is the development of precise and scalable human body measurement frameworks using hybrid scanning and imaging systems. This includes advanced classification of body shape, automated feature extraction, and individualized prototype generation for apparel design. Their studies on digital garment systems explore virtual fittings, numerical simulations of fabric drape, and biomechanics-based modeling of clothing body interaction, contributing to improved prediction of wearer comfort and performance. The author has produced influential work on garment technologies, including new algorithms for pattern adaptation, topologically consistent model reconstruction, and simulation-driven design optimization. Their research in garment virtual simulation extends into computational evaluations of ergonomics, ballistic protection mechanisms, and AI driven virtual try on methods leveraging generative diffusion models. Through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, the author has contributed to notable advancements in industrial ergonomics, textile engineering, and digital fashion innovation. Their publications in high impact journals demonstrate a commitment to methodological rigor and practical relevance, supporting the broader transition toward intelligent apparel manufacturing, personalized garment engineering, and data-driven fashion technologies. The author’s contributions continue to shape emerging standards in digital human modeling and next-generation garment simulation.

Featured Publications

Hou, J., Lu, Y., Wang, M., Ouyang, W., Yang, Y., Zou, F., Gu, B., & Liu, Z.  A Markov Chain approach for video-based virtual try-on with denoising diffusion generative adversarial network. Knowledge Based Systems.

Jin, S., & Gu,, Production scheduling optimization of shirt component module based on standard man-hour prediction.

Sheng, X., Zhao, S., & Gu, B. Construction of shirt component module groups based on process similarity

Sun, Y., Niu, W., Chen, X., Chen, Q., Gu, B., & Liu, Y. Application of human finite element model in flexible protective products. Journal of Medical Biomechanics.

Feng, H., Sheng, X., Zhang, L., Liu, Y., & Gu, B. Color analysis of brocade from the 4th to 8th centuries driven by image based matching network modeling.

Jin, S., & Gu, B. Individualized generation of women’s prototype based on the classification of body shape.

Chao-Feng Shih | Leadership Development | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Assist. Prof. Dr. Chao-Feng Shih | Leadership Development | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof | The University of  Central Police University | Taiwan

Dr. Chao-Feng Shih is a scholar and engineer specializing in marine engineering, maritime safety, smart port technologies, and computational mechanics. His academic background and research trajectory focus on advancing hydrodynamics, nonlinear sloshing analysis, marine risk assessment, and intelligent port-based monitoring systems. He has developed strong expertise in integrating engineering theory with modern computational tools to address complex maritime challenges and enhance operational safety in port and offshore environments. His doctoral research applied a modified Lie-Group algorithm to nonlinear sloshing problems, contributing new numerical strategies for analyzing fluid structure interactions in confined and dynamic marine systems. Dr. Shih’s broader research in nonlinear hydrodynamics includes studies on sloshing suppression using baffle designs, meshless methods for heat transfer simulation, and explicit/implicit Lie-Group numerical schemes. His work has been published in reputable indexed journals, addressing topics such as underwater vehicle acoustics, two-dimensional tank sloshing behavior, and Trefftz-based multi-scale methods. Beyond theoretical contributions, Dr. Shih’s research intersects with applied maritime safety and smart harbor development. He has played key roles in projects involving 5G-enabled port monitoring, based inspection systems, and driven maritime applications. His recent works explore remote sensing for port operations, edge-computing frameworks for drone communications, and AI-enhanced solutions for underwater environmental monitoring. These efforts highlight his commitment to integrating emerging technologies with marine engineering to support safer, more efficient, and data-driven maritime operations. His academic publications also include studies on fire prevention in cargo vessels, unmanned underwater vehicle applications, and marine safety risk assessment. Future research directions involve developing AI assisted maritime training systems, simulation-based digital twin platforms, autonomous navigation technologies, and advanced predictive models for port-level risk management. Through this multidisciplinary research portfolio, Dr. Shih continues to contribute to innovation across marine engineering, intelligent maritime systems, and computational analysis.

Featured Publications

Tan, C.-C., Shih, C.-F., Shen, J.-H., & Chen, Y.-W.  A time–space numerical procedure for solving the sideways heat conduction problem.

Chen, Y.-W., Pan, C.-C., Lin, Y.-H., Shih, C.-F., Shen, J.-H., & Chang, C.-M. Acoustic field radiation prediction and verification of underwater vehicles under a free surface. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

Beáta Šofranková | HR Technology and Digital Transformation | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Human Resources Management

Mrs. Beáta Šofranková | HR Technology and Digital Transformation | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor | The University of Presov| Slovakia

Mrs. Beáta Šofranková, is a researcher in the field of management whose scholarly work centers on digital transformation, competitiveness, economic performance, and sustainable development across European countries. Her research integrates economic-mathematical reasoning with modern managerial perspectives, providing a multidimensional understanding of how digitalization and innovation impact institutional performance and long-term economic resilience. Her scientific portfolio consists of 16 published research documents, collectively cited 235 times, resulting in an h-index of 8. These metrics reflect a steady scholarly influence and demonstrate the relevance of her work within the fields of management, economics, and regional development. Her publications frequently address the evolving conditions of European economies, exploring strategic determinants of competitiveness, the role of digital technologies in economic growth, and the implications of sustainable development frameworks on national and regional performance indicators. She has contributed significantly to research initiatives through her involvement in major national grant projects, where she has designed, coordinated, or supported scientific tasks focused on digital readiness, innovation performance, and socio-economic transformation. Her participation in  projects reflects sustained engagement in evidence-based research aligned with national priorities and international academic standards. These projects have produced theoretical and empirical outputs that inform management practices, public policy, and academic debate. Her work also incorporates a strong comparative perspective, drawing on interdisciplinary frameworks that connect economic modelling, management theory, and sustainability science. She frequently collaborates within research teams exploring emerging digital trends, performance analytics, and the competitiveness challenges faced by European economies in the context of global transformations. Through her publication record, research leadership, and active contribution to national scientific projects, her scholarly profile demonstrates a consistent commitment to advancing knowledge about digital transformation and sustainable economic development. Her research output continues to support academic, institutional, and policy-oriented discussions within the broader European research community.

Featured Publication

Kiselakova, D., Sofrankova, B., Gombar, M., & Matijova, M. Modelling the impact of innovation performance on digital competitiveness: The key role of innovation and technologies. Asian Economic and Financial Review,