Selene Mezzalira | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Selene Mezzalira | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

University of Basilicata, University of Naples Federico II | Italy

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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Selene Mezzalira began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Padua, graduating cum laude. She then completed a Master’s degree in Philosophical Sciences with a thesis on Kant’s role in neuroscience. Her academic excellence was further highlighted by a Diploma of Excellence in Moral Sciences from the Scuola Galileiana. She later earned two PhDs—one in Philosophy (2016) and another in Clinical Psychology (2018) from Ryokan College, Los Angeles, focusing on trauma and temporal experience. Her interdisciplinary formation also includes a Master's in Urban Security and Violence Prevention.

🧠 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Mezzalira currently serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Naples Federico II on a project focused on intersectional stigma and health equity for LGBT individuals. She is also a contract lecturer at the University of Basilicata, covering clinical, general, and dynamic psychology, and has taught “Psychology of Violence” at IUSVE. She has worked on national projects involving cognitive stress and human-robot interaction, and has held roles as a researcher and lecturer across institutions like the University of Calabria and the University of Padua.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Mezzalira’s research spans clinical psychology, psychoanalysis, trauma studies, LGBTQIA+ mental health, minority stress, and phenomenological philosophy. She is recognized for her work on gender diversity, health disparities, and psychological trauma. Notably, she contributed to projects like “U4Inclusion” and “Equity Health Project,” promoting inclusion and addressing sexual harassment in academic settings. Her work often employs mixed-method and systematic review approaches, aiming to inform evidence-based clinical practices.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

In 2024, Dr. Mezzalira won First Prize in the National Scientific Dissemination Competition "Kerit-LC" for her book "Neuroscienze e fenomenologia. Il caso dei neuroni specchio." She is an active reviewer for several top-tier journals such as Frontiers in Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology Review, and Journal of Homosexuality, and also serves as a guest editor and proofreader for the Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Mezzalira's work is cited internationally and presented at high-profile conferences, including EPATH, SRCD, AIP, and SPR-IAG. Her systematic reviews and original studies are influencing policy and clinical practices in mental health, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Through translations and curations of foundational texts in cognitive science and phenomenology, she also bridges academic research with public knowledge.

📚 Legacy and Future Contributions

With a foundation in both philosophical inquiry and clinical psychology, Dr. Mezzalira is a rare academic voice fusing deep theoretical insight with empirical rigor. Her future promises continued exploration of psychological trauma, queer health, and interdisciplinary dialogue between philosophy and therapy. She is poised to lead meaningful changes in mental health education, gender-informed care, and inclusive academic structures.

Publications


📄  Perceived Stigma and Quality of Life in Binary and Nonbinary/Queer Transgender Individuals in Italy: The Mediating Roles of Patient–Provider Relationship Quality and Barriers to Care
Authors: Selene Mezzalira, Gianluca Cruciani, Maria Quintigliano, Vincenzo Bochicchio, Nicola Carone, Cristiano Scandurra
 Journal: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
Year: 2025


📄 Anticipated Stigma and Depression in Italian Bisexual Emerging Adults: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation and Resilience
 Authors: Cristiano Scandurra, Selene Mezzalira, Pasquale Dolce, Nicola Carone, Vincenzo Bochicchio
Journal: Psychology & Sexuality
Year: 2025


📄 Trans in Treatment: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review on the Psychotherapeutic Experiences of Transgender and Gender Diverse People
Authors: Selene Mezzalira, Nicola Carone, Vincenzo Bochicchio, Sofia Villani, Gianluca Cruciani, Maria Quintigliano, Cristiano Scandurra
Journal: Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome
Year: 2025


📄 Minority Stress and Mental Health in European Transgender and Gender Diverse People: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Studies
Authors: F. Mezza, Selene Mezzalira, R. Pizzo, N.M. Maldonato, V. Bochicchio, C. Scandurra
 Journal: Clinical Psychology Review
Year: 2024


📄  Affective Regulation and Trait Anger Personalities: The Buffering Effect of the Companion Animal Bond
Authors: Vincenzo Bochicchio, Cristiano Scandurra, Pasquale Dolce, Anna Scandurra, Maria Francesca Freda, Selene Mezzalira
Journal: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education
Year: 2024


Jamia Williams | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Mrs. Jamia Williams | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

University of Utah | United States

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Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Mrs. Jamia Williams embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in history, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from The College at Brockport, SUNY in 2009. Initially enrolling in a Childhood Education Certification program in 2004-2005, her passion for research and knowledge led her to pursue a Master of Library Science (MLS) at North Carolina Central University. Graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2018, she demonstrated exceptional academic commitment, setting the stage for a distinguished career in librarianship and information sciences.

Professional Endeavors 📚

Mrs. Williams has cultivated a dynamic career as a librarian with a focus on health sciences, consumer health information, and diversity initiatives. Her tenure at various prestigious institutions, including the University of Utah, State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport, University of Rochester Medical Center, and Upstate Medical University, reflects her deep engagement in advancing library services and research support.

At the University of Utah's Eccles Health Sciences Library, she currently serves as a Consumer Health Program Specialist, spearheading a national program to enhance health information competencies among library staff. Previously, as a Health Sciences Librarian at SUNY Brockport, she played a pivotal role in integrating information literacy into coursework, conducting research support, and fostering student engagement. Her earlier roles at the University of Rochester and Upstate Medical University further highlight her dedication to medical librarianship, instructional design, and inclusive library practices.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

Mrs. Williams’ research and professional contributions span consumer health literacy, diversity and inclusion in libraries, and the intersection of librarianship with public health. She has authored book chapters and journal articles that shed light on microaggressions in library environments, diversity in health sciences librarianship, and trauma-informed library practices. She has also been a sought-after speaker and panelist at conferences hosted by the New York Library Association, Urban Librarians Unite, and the Black Caucus American Library Association.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Mrs. Williams’ impactful work has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards and scholarships, reflecting her influence in the field. Some of her notable accolades include:

2023 North Carolina Central University 40 Under 40 Alumni Award
2023 Medical Library Association President’s Award
2022 AAHSL Leadership Diversity Scholarship
BCALA Leadership Institute Recognition (2022)
ACRL Early Career Scholarship (2019)

Her commitment to professional growth is further demonstrated by the numerous development awards she has received to attend national library and medical conferences.

Impact and Influence 🌍

Through her national service roles in organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), Mrs. Williams has actively contributed to library policy, diversity initiatives, and professional development programs. Her participation in committees such as the Salaries and Status of Library Workers Committee, Committee on Diversity, and the Emily Drabinski Advisory Committee has helped shape conversations around equity and inclusion in librarianship. Her influence extends beyond traditional librarianship into public health literacy, where she continues to develop programs that empower communities with accessible and reliable health information.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🚀

Mrs. Williams' legacy is one of dedication, advocacy, and transformation in the field of librarianship. Her efforts in health sciences, diversity, and community outreach have already set a high benchmark for future generations of library professionals. With her continued research and national contributions, she is poised to further bridge the gap between health information and community access, advocate for marginalized library workers, and advance trauma-informed library practices.

Publications


📄 Alcohol Use and Abuse Among Family Caregivers of People Living with Dementia in the United States: A Scoping Review

 Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
 Year: 2024 
 Authors: Afeez A. Hazzan; Jessica L. Sniatecki; Gary Metz; Jamia Williams


📄 Boundaries and Burnout: Thriving in the Academic Library

Journal: College & Research Libraries News
Year: 2024
Authors: Jamia Williams; Jessi Van Der Volgen


📄 Shannon D. Jones, MLS, MEd, AHIP, FMLA, Medical Library Association President, 2022-2023

Journal: Journal of the Medical Library Association
Year: 2023 
Authors: Kelsa Bartley; Tamara Nelson; Jamia Williams; Aidy Weeks


📄 The Weaponization of Professionalism: Abolishing Unwritten Rules and Unknowable Work Cultures

Journal: College & Research Libraries News
Year: 2022
Authors: Jamia Williams; Dustin Fife


📄 Interventions for Quality of Life and Related Outcomes Among Unpaid Caregivers of Older Adults with Visual Impairments: A Scoping Review

Journal: British Journal of Visual Impairment
Year: 2022
Authors: Afeez Hazzan; Pamela Beach; Lauren Lieberman; Jamia Williams