Rachna Garg | Cognitive Neuroscience | Excellence in Research Award

Ms. Rachna Garg | Cognitive Neuroscience | Excellence in Research Award

Ms. Rachna Garg | Tecnia Institute of Advanced Studies under GGSIPU | India

Ms. Rachna Garg is an accomplished Assistant Professor and Psychologist at Tecnia Institute of Advanced Studies, Delhi, bringing over a decade of experience in teaching, research, and psychological training. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology from Amity University, Gwalior, with a research focus on elderly mental health, resilience, and mindfulness-based cognitive interventions. She holds dual MBAs in Human Resource Management and Marketing, an MA in Psychology, and a B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary background. Her scholarly output includes multiple international publications, book chapters, and research papers indexed in SCOPUS, Web of Science, and UGC-CARE. She has authored four book chapters with ISBNs and completed two major research projects on elderly mental health, alongside an ongoing Ph.D. empirical study. Her contributions extend to extensive training programs for MCD, NDMC, DIET, and SCERT educators, where she has delivered modules on communication, conflict management, learning disabilities, and sexual literacy. She has served as Convener for a notable Faculty Development Program on Indian Knowledge Systems. With an h-index of 1, a total of 10 documents, and 5 citations across ResearchGate and Google Scholar, she continues to advance impactful psychological research. She also holds editorial and reviewer roles in multiple reputed journals.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Garg, R. (2025, October 9). Rewiring the aging mind: A randomized controlled trial on the transformative impact of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy on depression and anxiety. Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health.

Garg, R. (2025, September 13). Group-based mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral intervention for enhancing resilience and preventing depression and anxiety in at-risk elderly: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy.

Garg, R. (2025, July 2). Evaluating the impact of mindfulness practices on depression, anxiety, and stress in geriatric populations: A randomized control trial. The Learning Curve, (ISSN 2321-7057).

Garg, R., Awasthi, S., & Gupta, N. (2025, January 2). The role of a 10-week mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention in managing depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly: A quasi-experimental study. Journal of Neonatal Surgery, 14(21s). https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i21s.5344

Garg, R., Awasthi, S., & Gupta, N. (2024, November). Mindfulness meets aging: The transformative power of mindfulness and cognitive behavioral interventions for mental health in the golden years. Indian Journal of Psychology, (ISSN 0019-5553).

linlin zhang | physical exercise promote cognition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Linlin Zhang | physical exercise promote cognition | Best Researcher Award

Dr. linlin zhang, henan normal universoty, China.

Zhang Linlin is a dedicated researcher and educator whose academic journey spans from a strong foundation in physical education to a specialized focus on exercise physiology and neurobiology. Through her undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. studies, she has cultivated expertise in the physiological and neurological effects of exercise, particularly in relation to cognitive function and neurodegenerative diseases. Her professional career at Henan Normal University has allowed her to further develop her research while inspiring the next generation of scholars. With an impressive portfolio of publications and accolades, her contributions to the field have significantly enhanced the understanding of exercise as a therapeutic tool for brain health.

Profile

Scopus

✨ Early Academic Pursuits ✨

Zhang Linlin’s journey in academia began with a strong passion for physical education and human science. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Luoyang Normal University, Henan Province, where she earned a degree in Physical Education (2011-2015). This foundational phase allowed her to explore key disciplines such as pedagogy, sports anatomy, and exercise physiology, shaping her understanding of the intricate relationship between physical activity and human health. Fuelled by a desire to deepen her expertise, she continued her education at the Capital Institute of Physical Education (2015-2018), specializing in Sports Human Science for her master’s degree. Here, she refined her knowledge of sports training, rehabilitation, and neurophysiology, setting the stage for her future research endeavors.

🔬 Professional Endeavors 🔬

Zhang Linlin’s commitment to academic excellence led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Sports Human Science at Fujian Normal University (2019-2022), where she engaged in cutting-edge research on exercise physiology and neurobiology. Her doctoral studies provided her with hands-on experience in experimental techniques such as brain localization, microdialysis sampling, Western Blot analysis, and ELISA, equipping her with a robust scientific skillset. Upon completing her Ph.D., she secured a teaching and research position at the School of Physical Education, Henan Normal University (2022-Present), where she continues to inspire students while advancing her research on the intersection of exercise and brain health.

🌍 Contributions and Research Focus 🌍

A central theme in Zhang Linlin’s research is understanding how physical exercise influences brain health, particularly in neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders. She has extensively studied the effects of treadmill exercise and wheel running on synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter modulation in models of vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Her work has unveiled critical insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms of exercise, demonstrating its role in enhancing recognition memory, reducing microglial activation, and preserving dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. By integrating molecular biology and behavioral neuroscience, her research bridges the gap between exercise physiology and neurobiological health.

🌟 Accolades and Recognition 🌟

Zhang Linlin’s outstanding contributions to her field have earned her numerous prestigious awards. She was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Thesis Award in 2022, reflecting the high impact and quality of her research. Additionally, she secured first-class scholarships for graduate students in both 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, a testament to her academic excellence and dedication. In recognition of her potential, she was also selected for the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Cultivation Project in 2020, further solidifying her position as a leading researcher in exercise neurobiology.

📚 Impact and Influence 📚

With an impressive publication record, Zhang Linlin has significantly contributed to the scientific community. As the first author, she has published five influential papers, including one SSCI paper, three SCI papers, and one paper in a domestic authoritative core journal. Her research has appeared in prestigious journals such as Scientific Reports, Physiology & Behavior, and Behavioural Brain Research, gaining recognition for its novel findings on exercise-induced neuroprotection. Additionally, she has co-authored multiple studies and played a key role in editing the book Exercise and Health, further extending her impact on the academic and professional domains.

🤖 Legacy and Future Contributions 🤖

Zhang Linlin envisions a future where exercise is widely recognized as a powerful intervention for cognitive and neurological disorders. She aims to continue her research on the molecular pathways through which physical activity enhances brain function, with the goal of translating her findings into clinical applications. By mentoring the next generation of scholars and collaborating with interdisciplinary experts, she seeks to further expand the understanding of exercise physiology in neurological health. Her unwavering dedication to science and education ensures that her legacy will inspire future researchers and health professionals in the pursuit of knowledge and well-being.

 

publication

Title: Treadmill exercise pretreatment ameliorated structural synaptic plasticity impairments of medial prefrontal cortex in vascular dementia rat and improved recognition memory

Authors: L. Zhang, Y. Chen, Y. Fan, L. Shi

Year: 2024

🎯 Conclusion 🎯

Zhang Linlin’s research bridges the gap between physical activity and neurobiological health, providing valuable insights into the protective effects of exercise on cognition and neurological disorders. Her work not only advances scientific knowledge but also holds promise for real-world applications in disease prevention and rehabilitation. With a strong commitment to education, research, and innovation, she continues to pave the way for future advancements in exercise neuroscience. As she moves forward in her career, her legacy will undoubtedly inspire further exploration into the powerful connection between movement and brain health.