MHBM 2027

Simone Reppermund

University of New South Wales, Australia.

Research field: Ageing, Mental Health, Cognitive disorders.

Simone is a UNSW Scientia Associate Professor within the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health. Her area of research is cognitive disorders with a focus on mental health and ageing. Simone has a PhD in Psychology (Ludwig Maximilian University Munich) and worked previously in the field of depression and cognitive function at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich until 2008 before she moved to Australia. Her current research focuses mainly on cognitive impairment including dementia, complex everyday activities in old age, social determinants of ageing and dementia, and mental health in people with cognitive disorders. Through her research, Simone aims to improve health and mental health outcomes for people with cognitive and mental disorders. She uses a range of methods, including interrogation of large linked datasets, development of diagnostic tools and analysis of factors associated with depression and self-harm in late-life and cognitive decline. Simone has published over 130 peer-reviewed publications with a total of >8000 citations. Simone is also a Postgraduate Research Coordinator for the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and member of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Higher Degree Committee.

William CS Cho

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, HK, China.

Research field: Behavioral medicine, cancer-related mental health, biomarkers, treatment prediction, and prognosis.

Dr. William Cho is a Biomedical Scientist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. His research focuses on cancer biomarkers, high-throughput and omics technologies, treatment response prediction, prognosis, and translational medicine. His work also covers supportive cancer care, Chinese medicine, patient-centered outcomes, quality of life, and behavioral health, with particular relevance to cancer-related mental health and behavioral medicine. He is a Chartered Scientist of the Science Council (UK), a Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Hong Kong, a Guest Professor at several universities, and a Fellow of several professional institutes. Dr. Cho has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers in journals including Lancet Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research, Clinical Chemistry, and Annals of Oncology. His research spans cancer biomarkers, proteomics, microRNAs, supportive care, and patient-centered health management. He has also authored and edited several books on cancer translational research, omics, and supportive cancer care. Dr. Cho serves as Editor-in-Chief, Editor, and Associate Editor of several international medical journals and has extensive experience as a grant reviewer for major research organizations in the UK, USA, Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, and other regions.

Muhammad Asyraf Bin Che Amat

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.

Research field: Counselling, Guidance and Counselling.

Dr. Muhammad Asyraf Che Amat is Head of the Department of Counselor Education and Counselling Psychology and Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). He received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas A&M University–Commerce, USA, and holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Guidance and Counselling from UPM. His research interests include guidance and counselling, educational psychology, student mental health and well-being, social media addiction, psychological resilience, depression and suicidal behaviour, cyberbullying, and help-seeking behaviours. He is also a registered counsellor with the Board of Counsellors Malaysia and a life member of PERKAMA International. His recent research addresses psychological capital in higher education, student mental health, social media-related behavioural problems, and counselling interventions.

Abdul Rahman bin Ahmad Badayai

The National University of Malaysia, Malaysia.

Research field: Developmental Psychology.

Dr. Abdul Rahman Ahmad Badayai is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He holds a PhD in Developmental Psychopathology and has extensive research interests in developmental psychology, child and adolescent mental health, resilience and coping mechanisms, parenting, and socio-emotional development. His research particularly focuses on early intervention for children with developmental delays and the developmental assets of at-risk adolescents and youth, including issues related to school dropout, violence and aggression, suicidal behavior, substance use and abuse, and other psychosocial risks. He is also engaged in research on sexual and gender-based violence among refugee populations.

Dr. Badayai has contributed to interdisciplinary research on mental health and psychological interventions. His recent work includes studies on acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive functioning, emotional distress, psychological well-being, and youth behavioral problems. He has also participated in international academic and humanitarian forums, including events addressing child development, digital safety, and mental health. His current academic interests span developmental psychopathology, youth mental health, psychological resilience, behavioral problems, parenting, early intervention, and psychosocial well-being.

Wenjing shang

Chengde Medical University, China.

Research field: Perceptual learning, attention, and brain plasticity; mental health and education.

Dr. Wenjing Shang is a researcher in psychology at Chengde Medical University, China. Her research interests include cognitive and affective psychology, emotion regulation, mental health, and the neural mechanisms underlying human cognition and behavior. Her work has investigated individual differences in emotion differentiation and cognitive reappraisal using electrophysiological approaches such as EEG and event-related potentials (ERPs), with particular attention to the cortical dynamics associated with emotional processing and regulation. Her research contributes to a better understanding of the interaction between cognitive processes, emotional adaptation, and psychological well-being.

Ramendra Pati Pandey

D. Y. Patil International University, India.

Research field: Biotechnology, Infectious Diseases, Immunological.

Dr. Ramendra Pati Pandey is a professor and Deputy Dean of R&D at D Y Patil International University in Pune. He has received numerous honors for his scientific work, including the International Union of Immunological Societies Travel Award, the American Association of Immunologists Travel Award, and the British Society of Immunology Travel Award. The Royal Society of Biology in London, UK, has designated him as an Ambassador. The National Environmental Science Academy of India awarded him the NESA Scientist of the Year Award, and the Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences selected him for the Shri. Om Prakash Sharma Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the biomedical sciences, particularly in fundamental and translational research. For his outstanding contributions to scientific research, Polyfeenolix—IIS Best Mid-Career Immunology Teacher Award. Recently, he has been selected for the prestigious Karmaveer Chakra Award 2025–2026 as well as the Rex Karmaveer Global Fellowship. The United Nations (UN) and iCONGO collaborated to establish the award. The Rex Karmaveer Chakra Awards celebrate real-life heroes who embody the spirit of 'Be the Change.' These awards spotlight individuals who take bold, innovative paths to inspire and bring about meaningful change. The award is a tribute to the former honorable president of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who had offered to be the ambassador for the awards.

Omkar Singh Kushwaha

Senior Principal Project Scientist, Chemical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai, India.

Research field: Biomaterials, Synthesis, Material Characterization, Thin Films and Nanotechnology, Polymers, Nanomaterials, Nanoparticle, Nanomaterials Synthesis, Nanostructured Materials.

Dr. Kushwaha is recipient of DST-SERB & CSIR Projects for independent research. He is a multidisciplinary Scientist, with experience of teaching & research of Chemistry, Engineering, Polymers, Materials, Nanomaterials & Biomaterials, Composites, High pressure reactions, contaminated water-treatment, and many more. Dr. Kushwaha is open to world-wide collaborations across all disciplines of research in order to learn, share and promote science and technology.