Tag: Psychology

Chiara Barone, Psychology, Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Chiara Barone: Ph.D Student at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy

Chiara Barone is an Italian researcher and Ph.D. candidate in Communication and Social Research at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, where she is actively engaged in projects that combine theory and practice in the fields of communication, health, and behavioral sciences. Born in Pisa in 1998, she has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and professional versatility, earning full marks in both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her career has been shaped by a unique blend of humanities training, business communication expertise, and applied marketing experience, allowing her to approach complex social phenomena with both critical thinking and creative problem-solving. She stands out as an emerging scholar who bridges academic research and real-world practice, with a strong commitment to exploring innovative strategies that enhance human well-being through effective communication.

Online Profiles

ORCID Profile

Scopus Profile

  • Publications (Scopus-indexed): 3

  • Citations: 13

  • h-index: 1

Chiara maintains a professional presence across academic and research-oriented platforms, where she shares her ongoing projects, collaborations, and publications. Her academic contributions can be found in conference proceedings such as CAD’23 and EKSIG23, and her journal articles are accessible in leading peer-reviewed outlets like the Journal of Gambling Studies. She is also active in research networks and institutional repositories of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Engage Minds Hub, where her projects on healthcare communication, behavioral prevention, and digital media applications are featured. These profiles allow her to connect with other researchers, disseminate findings, and showcase her interdisciplinary expertise at the intersection of communication science, psychology, and digital innovation.

Education

Chiara completed her Bachelor’s degree in Modern Literature at the University of Pisa in 2020, graduating with full honors (110L/110) after defending a thesis on the effectiveness of the Human Development Index as a measure of well-being. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Communication for Business, Media, and Complex Organizations at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, where she graduated in 2022 with top honors (110L/110) after completing a research thesis on doctor–patient communication in aesthetic medicine. Building upon these foundations, she began her Ph.D. in Communication and Social Research in November 2023 at the same university, where she now specializes in systematic reviews, mixed-method research, and prevention studies. This trajectory reflects both her strong academic preparation and her ability to translate theoretical insights into applied strategies for communication and social development.

Research Focus

Her research interests lie at the crossroads of communication, health, and social behavior, with a particular emphasis on understanding how digital tools and media shape interactions between institutions, professionals, and individuals. She has explored themes such as the transformation of doctor–patient communication in aesthetic medicine, the effectiveness of international well-being indicators, and the role of financial literacy in preventing gambling-related harm. Methodologically, she employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, from focus groups and interviews to surveys, systematic reviews, text mining, and statistical modeling. By applying these diverse methods, she seeks to design communication strategies that are both evidence-based and innovative, with implications for healthcare providers, policymakers, and companies aiming to engage their stakeholders in a responsible and impactful way.

Experience

Chiara has developed a versatile professional profile through experiences in academia, research, and industry. She worked as a Copywriter at Golden Eggs Agency in Milan, where she contributed to the planning of creative campaigns and managed social media profiles for clients. Later, she became Marketing Manager at AirNivol S.p.A., a dental sector company, where she was responsible for online and offline marketing campaigns, event participation, supplier relations, and graphic content creation. She then served as an External Research Collaborator at Politecnico di Milano’s Department of Mechanics, focusing on user experience design for sustainability applications. Since 2023, she has held dual roles at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore—as a Ph.D. Researcher and as Junior Researcher at Engage Minds Hub—where she manages systematic reviews, focus groups, text mining projects, and company-sponsored studies. This broad spectrum of experience demonstrates her adaptability and her ability to apply academic insights to diverse real-world contexts.

Research Timeline & Activities

Over the years, Chiara has built a strong research trajectory that integrates multiple methods and areas of application. During her undergraduate and master’s studies, she engaged in theoretical and applied research projects on human development, healthcare communication, and the role of new digital paradigms in shaping consumer and patient relationships. In her Ph.D. and junior researcher role, she has expanded her expertise into systematic literature reviews, prevention studies, and the development of text-mining algorithms. She has presented her work at international conferences, including EUSPR 2024, and has authored or co-authored multiple scientific publications spanning topics from virtual reality in education to sustainable design and gambling prevention. Her research timeline illustrates a steady progression from humanities-based inquiry to highly interdisciplinary projects combining communication sciences, psychology, marketing, and digital innovation.

Awards & Honors

Chiara’s academic achievements have been consistently recognized through her outstanding performance in higher education, where she obtained the maximum grade with honors in both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her early recognition in the research community includes the acceptance of her work at prestigious international conferences such as CAD’23, EKSIG23, and XR Salento, as well as her invited presentation at the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) in 2024. Furthermore, the acceptance of her systematic review article in the Journal of Gambling Studies marks a significant milestone in her early academic career, underlining the relevance and quality of her contributions to the field of prevention research. These accomplishments reflect her dedication to both scholarly rigor and applied impact.

Top Noted Publication

Among her various contributions, one of Chiara’s most significant works is the article “Financial Literacy and Economic Attitudes as Protective Factors against Pathological Gambling? A Systematic Review” (Barone & Graffigna, 2025), published in the Journal of Gambling Studies. This paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of the literature on gambling prevention, highlighting the importance of financial knowledge and responsible economic attitudes in reducing risky behaviors. It represents a clear example of her ability to combine methodological precision with practical relevance, offering insights that can inform both academic discussions and real-world prevention strategies. The publication has positioned her as an emerging voice in the field of social communication and behavioral prevention research.

  • Barone, C., & Graffigna, G. (2025). Financial Literacy and Economic Attitudes as Protective Factors Against Pathological Gambling? A Systematic Review. Journal of Gambling Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-025-10375-1

  • Rossoni, M., Spadoni, E., Carulli, M., Barone, C., Colombo, G., & Bordegoni, M. (2024). Virtual Reality in Education to Enable Active Learning and Hands-on Experience. Computer-Aided Design and Applications, 21(2), 258–269. https://doi.org/10.14733/cadaps.2024.258-269

  • Carulli, M., Spadoni, E., Barone, C., & Bordegoni, M. (2023). Emotion Tracking in Virtual Reality Fashion Shows. In Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS, vol. 14163, pp. 402–412). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43401-3_31

Strength for the Best Researcher Award

1. Academic Excellence and Rigor

Chiara Barone has demonstrated consistent academic excellence throughout her career, earning full honors (110L/110 cum laude) in both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her strong academic foundation is matched by her commitment to methodological rigor, as seen in her doctoral research and systematic review studies. This balance of intellectual depth and precision in execution highlights her as a researcher capable of producing work of the highest quality.

2. Interdisciplinary Research Expertise

Her research uniquely bridges the humanities, communication sciences, psychology, and marketing, enabling her to investigate complex social issues from multiple perspectives. Whether exploring doctor–patient communication, financial literacy in gambling prevention, or the role of virtual reality in education, Chiara integrates theory and practice to generate interdisciplinary insights that are innovative and impactful.

3. Applied Impact and Societal Relevance

A defining strength of Chiara’s work is its applied relevance. She actively translates academic findings into practical strategies for healthcare providers, policymakers, and companies. Her studies on behavioral prevention, sustainability applications, and digital communication strategies illustrate a strong commitment to using research as a tool for societal betterment, ensuring her work extends beyond academia.

4. International Recognition and Dissemination

Chiara’s contributions have been recognized at prestigious international conferences, such as CAD’23, EKSIG23, XR Salento, and EUSPR 2024. She has published in high-impact journals like the Journal of Gambling Studies and contributed to interdisciplinary conference proceedings. These achievements demonstrate her growing visibility within the global research community and her ability to effectively disseminate her work at an international level.

5. Innovation and Early Career Potential

As a young researcher, Chiara has already authored multiple publications, secured citations, and achieved an h-index, showcasing both productivity and early academic impact. Her focus on emerging fields—such as digital health communication, text mining for prevention studies, and virtual reality applications—positions her as an innovative scholar with strong potential for leadership in future research. This combination of creativity, productivity, and foresight makes her a strong candidate for recognition as an outstanding early-career researcher.

Rashmi Rangaswamy, Psychology, Innovative Researcher Award

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Dr. Rashmi Rangaswamy: Assistant Professor at CHRIST UNIVERSITY, India

Dr. Rashmi R is a dedicated academic and practitioner in the field of psychology, currently serving as an Assistant Professor at CHRIST (Deemed to be University). With over 18 years of teaching experience, she specializes in counseling psychology, with a particular focus on HIV/AIDS counseling, mental health interventions, and the use of expressive art therapies. She completed her Doctoral research in 2016 on improving the quality of life for HIV-infected children, under the guidance of Dr. Romate John. Dr. Rashmi’s work not only contributes to academic knowledge but also impacts practical applications in clinical psychology, mental health counseling, and psycho-education across various age groups.

Online Profiles

ORCID Profile

Education

Dr. Rashmi’s academic journey is anchored in a robust foundation of psychology, beginning with a B.A. in Psychology, Economics, and Sociology from M.E.S College, Bangalore University, followed by an MSc in Psychological Counselling (specializing in HRM) from Jnanabharathi, Bangalore University. In 2016, she earned her Doctoral degree from the Department of Psychology at Bangalore University. Her Ph.D. dissertation, focused on “Designing Intervention Strategies for Quality of Life in HIV-Infected Children,” marked a significant contribution to understanding the psychological needs of children living with HIV. This academic excellence laid the groundwork for her long-standing career in teaching and research.

Research Focus

Dr. Rashmi’s research interests are diverse but consistently rooted in enhancing mental health outcomes for marginalized populations. Her primary focus areas include counseling psychology, mental health interventions, and HIV/AIDS counseling. She has pioneered studies on the use of expressive art therapies as a tool for psychological healing in children with HIV and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Her work on virtual reality-based rehabilitation programs for adolescent athletes recovering from injuries blends psychological interventions with technological innovation. Furthermore, she has conducted significant research on minority stress and its effects on the mental health of non-binary individuals, marking an important contribution to the emerging field of gender and sexual diversity studies in India.

Experience

Dr. Rashmi’s career has spanned various educational institutions and health organizations. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at CHRIST University, where she teaches counseling skills, group counseling, and psychopathology to graduate and post-graduate students. Prior to her current role, she taught at Montfort College and served as a consulting psychologist at Bangalore University’s Centre for Psychological Counselling. Over the years, Dr. Rashmi has supervised and mentored over 30 postgraduate students in their research, particularly in areas of mental health counseling, psychopathology, and psychosocial interventions. Her clinical experience extends to working in HIV/AIDS programs across multiple Indian states, including organizing training programs for ICTC/ART counselors.

Research Timeline & Activities

Dr. Rashmi’s research journey has evolved significantly over the years. Beginning in 2008 as a research scholar at Bangalore University, her doctoral research culminated in her Ph.D. on improving the life quality of HIV-infected children. She later expanded her research scope to include national-level projects, such as the ICSSR-funded study on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and global health initiatives like the Global Fund Round 7 Project on HIV/AIDS counselor training. More recently, she has focused on integrating virtual reality and expressive arts into therapeutic interventions. Her research timeline is marked by continuous involvement in national and international conferences, collaborations with other academic institutions, and a commitment to addressing pressing social issues through psychological research.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Rashmi has been recognized for her contributions to psychology both in academia and the clinical field. She has been invited to serve as a keynote speaker, chair scientific sessions, and panellist at numerous prestigious national and international conferences. Her expertise in HIV/AIDS counseling, mental health interventions, and expressive arts therapies has earned her several accolades and honors, including invitations to lead specialized training programs for mental health professionals. Her academic rigor and commitment to community health were acknowledged when she received recognition for her innovative contributions to counseling and educational psychology.

Top Noted Publication

Dr. Rashmi has authored several key publications in renowned academic journals. Among her top publications is the paper titled “Minority Stress and Mental Health of Indian Non-binary Individuals,” which was published in Springer Journal of Global Social Welfare in May 2025. This paper sheds light on the psychological challenges faced by the non-binary community in India, an often under-researched area in Indian psychology. Her work is grounded in a critical understanding of societal marginalization and its psychological impact, and this publication has been highly regarded for its timely and impactful exploration of gender diversity and mental health.

  • Community Resilience to Climate Change: Integrating Sociological Perspectives
    Journal: Journal of Applied Bioanalysis, Volume 11, Issue 1, 2025
    DOI: 10.53555/jab.v11i1.055
    Contributors: Cherupelly, N.; Shenoy, S.S.; Joseph, S.A.; Singh, B.P.; Rangaswamy, R.; Das, P.K.; Bhasin, K.
    This paper explores the concept of community resilience in the face of climate change, integrating sociological perspectives to address the broader social and psychological dimensions of climate-related impacts. By bridging environmental psychology and community resilience, this research offers fresh insights into adapting communities to the challenges posed by climate change.

  • Minority Stress and Mental Health of Indian Non-binary Individuals
    Journal: Global Social Welfare, May 19, 2025
    DOI: 10.1007/s40609-025-00393-7
    Contributors: Surbhi Deshpande; Rashmi Rangaswamy
    This pioneering study sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by non-binary individuals in India, a marginalized and under-studied group. The paper highlights how minority stress affects mental health and calls for more inclusive psychological practices in the Indian context. It offers valuable contributions to gender studies and mental health counseling.

  • Evaluating the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-based Rehabilitation Programs for Post-Injury Recovery in Adolescent Athletes: A Mixed-Methods Study
    Journal: Retos, March 28, 2025
    DOI: 10.47197/retos.v65.111674
    Contributors: V Kiran MPT; R. Amarnath; G Nusarath Jaha; Praveen Katiyar; Rashmi Rangaswamy; Avanika Sinha
    This study assesses the impact of virtual reality-based rehabilitation programs on the recovery process of adolescent athletes recovering from injuries. By utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research provides empirical evidence supporting the potential of virtual reality in sports rehabilitation and recovery, particularly for younger athletes.