Emerging Scholar Awards
Jamia Millia Islamia, India
Shruti Sharma is a PhD scholar in Psychology at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India. Her research focuses on conspiracy beliefs, intergroup relations, social identity, and leadership processes, with particular attention to Islamophobic conspiracy theories in India. She is a recipient of the Emerging Psychologist Award by IUPsyS (International Union of Psychological Science). Her work integrates mixed methods and interdisciplinary perspectives to examine how perceived inequality, social media use, and personality factors shape conspiracy thinking and intergroup outcomes. Beyond academia, she is committed to producing research that informs policy, promotes social cohesion, and advances psychologically grounded interventions for reducing prejudice and misinformation.
Universidad de Cádiz, Spain
María Camacho García graduated in 2023 with a Double Degree in Sociology and Social Work from Pablo de Olavide University (UPO). She then continued her studies at the same institution, completing a Master’s Degree in Methodology Applied to Public Policy, while also collaborating as a research assistant at the Faculty of Social Sciences Laboratory during the 2023–2024 academic year.
Since July 2024, she has been working as Teaching and Research Staff (PDI) at the University of Cádiz (UCA), where she has begun her PhD in Social Sciences. She is currently part of the CS2 DataLab team at INDESS, participating as a researcher in their projects.
Columbia University, United States
Mikayla Blackson is a Master of Public Health candidate at Columbia University, concentrating in Health Policy and Management with a certificate in Sexuality, Sexual and Reproductive Health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hampton University. Her academic and professional interests focus on health equity, reproductive justice, and the structural drivers of health disparities. Mikayla’s professional experience spans program development, legislative advocacy, and community engagement through roles with REPRO Rising Virginia, NextGen America, and the High School Voter Project. She currently serves as a Peer Sexual Health Advocate with Columbia Health and is a Mama Glow doula trainee, integrating policy analysis with community-centered care perspectives.
University of Nevada Las Vegas, United States
Mahsa Pashaeimeykola is a PhD student in Public Health (Social and Behavioral Health) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her work focuses on health behavior and preventive interventions, with experience in research design, data collection, and academic collaboration. She has contributed to cross-sectional and theory-based studies and has experience working in clinical and academic settings. Her interests include behavioral health, population health, and evidence-based interventions to improve health outcomes.
I am grateful to the Common Ground Research Network team for providing me the opportunity to present my research through this platform. I had a great experience in chairing and managing the two tracks (Pathways to Health) and (Health Promotion and Practice) assigned to me. Furthermore, interacting with the presenters and other distinguished delegates was a great learning experience. Thank you once again for motivating and appreciating my research related to Health and Wellness."
As an Emerging Scholar, I was able to facilitate discussions among presenters and the audience and engage with the audience on the discussion boards. This was an enriching learning opportunity!"
My experience as an emerging scholar was exciting, enlightening, and educational. I have been presenting at both national and international conferences, but I never took the role of a moderator and a chair for the session. The Emerging Scholar Award has put me in control of things to experience the conference in an exciting and inspiring way. I enjoyed moderating thematic discussions, networking with peers and scholars, and showcasing my featured research to a wider audience. I bonded with an amazing group of scholars who shared their own insights, tips, and scholarship. I gained experience as a moderator, created friendships, and expanded my professional contacts. All thanks to the Health, Wellness & Society Research Network team for this exposure and the experience of selecting me as an Emerging Scholar, and the financial assistance helped ease the cost of attending. The conference has inspired and encouraged me as an academic and my research in many ways."