Samira Vafa
Hello and welcome to my personal page!
My name is Samira and I am a PhD candidate in Psychology (awaiting viva). I have completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Clinical Psychology at Shiraz University, Iran. I have received a scholarship to pursue my PhD at Sunway University, Malaysia.
My PhD project focused on designing a novel, tech-based and ecologically valid cognitive intervention for healthy older adults in Malaysia.
Apart from my PhD project, I have been involved in a large-scale multidisciplinary study on an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 400 Malaysian older adults to promote healthy ageing in Malaysia.
My research interests are cognitive ageing, executive functions, cognitive interventions, neuroplasticity, and cognitive reserve.
One of my tutorials with undergrads.
About Me
I was born in Shiraz, Iran. I completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Clinical Psychology at Shiraz University, one of the well-known public universities in Iran. I was awarded the "Exceptional Talent Student" in both BA and MA courses.
Back in Iran, I have 3 years of experience as a psychometrist, where I used a variety of psychological and neuropsychological tasks for diagnostic purposes.
I have completed my psychotherapy training in ISTDP (Intensive, Short-term, Dynamic, Psychotherapy). I loved being a therapist, however, in the middle of my training, I realised that there are thousands of unanswered questions in my mind that I can only figure them out by doing research. So, I decided to apply for a PhD position.
I have been awarded a scholarship to pursue my PhD at Sunway University (Malaysia) in 2019, which I consider as one of the most conspicuous opportunities of my life. I moved to Malaysia in 2019 and I am still living in this beautiful country.
Doing my PhD made me realise that I love doing research more than anything, even being a therapist. I am happy that I took this path.
Currently, I have submitted my Doctoral thesis and I am waiting for my viva.
As a Middle-Eastern woman who experienced gender-based inequalities back in her home country, I am an advocate for women's rights. I do believe that less-developed societies will not fully develop until gender-based gaps are addressed properly.
I also love art, music, and writing.