Dr Samira Vafa

Dr Samira Vafa

  • Lecturer
Department of Psychology
Google Scholar ORCID ResearchGate
SDGs Focus
Good Health and Well Being
Reduced Inequalities
Partnership for the Goals

Biography

I am an experienced clinical psychologist with expertise in cognitive ageing and psychological assessment. My PhD research project focused on designing an innovative method to examine its effect on cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. I have gained strong analytical, social and teamwork skills by being involved in large-scale research projects.

Academic & Professional Qualifications

  • PhD in Psychology, Sunway University, Malaysia (2024)
  • Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Shiraz University, Iran (2017)
  • Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology, Shiraz University, Iran (2014)
  • Diploma in Humanities, Farhang High School, Iran (2009)

Research Interests

  • Cognitive Ageing
  • Executive Functions
  • Cognitive Interventions
  • Psychological Assessment

Teaching Areas

  • Abnormal Psychology

Courses Taught

  • Abnormal Psychology

Notable Publications

  1. Thanaraju, A., Marzuki, A. A., Kei, C. J., Yung, W. K., Phon-Amnuaisuk, P., Vafa, S., ... & Jenkins, M. (2024). Structural and Functional Brain Correlates of Socioeconomic Status Across the Life Span: A Systematic Review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 105716.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105716 
  2. Chan, J. K, Marzuki, A. A., Vafa, S., …, Schaefer, A. (2024). A Systematic Review on the Relationship between Socioeconomic Conditions and Emotional Disorders Symptoms during Covid-19: Unearthing the Potential Role of Economic Concerns and Financial Strain. BMC Psychology (12), 237. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40359-024-01715-8 
  3. Marzuki, A., Wong, K. Y., Chan, J. K., Na, S. Y., Thanaraju, A., Phon-Amnuaisuk, P., Vafa, S., ... & Schaefer, A. (2024). Mapping Computational Cognitive Profiles of Aging to Dissociable Brain and Sociodemographic Factors. https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-4259547/v1 
  4. Vafa, S. Yong, M. H., Marzuki, A. A., Ng, A. L. O., Shaefer, A. (2023). Online Cognitive Stimulation Intervention (CSI): A Novel Approach to Improve Cognitive Functions in Healthy Older Adults. DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/fbyan (Preprint and under review in Psychology and Ageing). https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/fbyan 
  5. Vafa, S. Ong, J. Z., Yong, M. H., Arokiaraj, A. S., Shee, D., Chia, Y. C., Schaefer, A. (2023). Feasibility of online cognitive testing on cognitive performance of Asian older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. DOI:10.31234/osf.io/t8exs (Preprint and Under Review in BMC Psychology). https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/t8exs 
  6. Yong, M. H., Lin, M. H., Vafa, S., & Nusrat, A. (2022). The influence of lifestyle, social and coping behaviours and movement restriction on anxiety: A comparison between Malaysia, Iran and Pakistan. DOI: 10.31124/advance.19011677.v1 (Preprint)
  7. Vafa, S., Rahimi, C., Mohamadi, N. (2018). Assessment of prospective, retrospective and short-term memory in obsessive-compulsive disorder regarding the severity of OC symptoms. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research (JAPER), 8(S2):64-70.
  8. Vafa, S., Rahimi, C., Mohamadi, N. (2018). Cognitive flexibility and decision-making under ambiguity in obsessive-compulsive disorder regarding the duration of the disorder. Journal of Biochemical Technology, Special issue (2)., 73-80 (journal is indexed in Thomson Reuters Web of Science).
     

Achievements & Accolades

Projects (involved in as a member):

  • Successful ageing: Evidence-based interventions to delay ageing-related decline; Longitudinal Research Grant Scheme (LRGS), Ongoing research project.
  • The adult neuroplasticity model: Age-related decline in executive function; Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Completed.

Achievements:

  • Recipient of British Society of Gerontology (BSG) bursary for attending the BSG 50th annual conference on ageing in 2021.
  • Recipient of Sunway University Postgraduate Scholarship for pursuing PhD degree in psychology in 2019.
  • Member of the Exceptional Talents Organisation (Gifted Students) of Shiraz University.

     

Professional Associations

  • Cognitive Frailty Interdisciplinary Network (CFIN), Lancaster University, UK;
  • AgeWell Research Centre, Sunway University, Malaysia.