Assist. Prof. Dr. Sophie Sarrassat | Data Science | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sophie Sarrassat, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom

Dr. Sophie Sarrassat is an Assistant Professor in Public Health and Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom. With a PhD in Public Health from Pierre & Marie Curie University, she specializes in the evaluation of public health interventions, particularly in maternal, neonatal, and child health across West Africa. Her expertise spans mixed-methods research, randomized controlled trials, and global health. Alongside her academic career, she is a qualified integrative counsellor and psychotherapist (MA, BACP registered), offering mental health support in both English and French. Dr. Sarrassat is actively building bridges between global public health and mental health research.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Sophie Sarrassat is a highly qualified and impactful public health researcher with a strong portfolio of interdisciplinary work in global health and mental health. Her research demonstrates scientific rigor, innovation, and real-world impact. She is well-positioned at an internationally respected institution and maintains a robust publication and teaching profile. Her ability to integrate epidemiology, psychology, and cultural sensitivity makes her research both technically sound and human-centered.

🎓 Education

Sophie Sarrassat holds an impressive array of postgraduate degrees that span both health sciences and psychology. She earned her PhD in Public Health & Epidemiology from Pierre & Marie Curie University in France, along with an MSc in the same field. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy and a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology Research from the University of East London. Additionally, she has undertaken advanced training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, completing both Level 1 and Level 2 certifications through the IFS Institute. Her foundational studies include a postgraduate diploma in Pharmacy from Rouen University and certificates in counselling skills from LC & CTA in London. Sophie also completed a Kundalini Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training program, highlighting her holistic and integrative approach to health and wellness.

💼Experience

Sophie brings over two decades of combined professional experience in public health research and psychotherapy. Since 2011, she has served as an Assistant Professor in Public Health and Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where she contributes to teaching and supervises MSc students in epidemiology. From 2010 to 2011, she held a research fellow position at Heidelberg University in Germany. Parallel to her academic career, she trained and worked as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, beginning as a trainee at The Awareness Centre in London and becoming a registered BACP member in 2021. She currently offers psychotherapy sessions both online and in person, in English and French.

🔬Research Focus

Sophie’s research has primarily focused on the evaluation of public health interventions in maternal, neonatal, and child health across West African countries. Her work includes large-scale, randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods studies funded by leading global health organizations. Key projects include interventions on antenatal corticosteroids, malaria reduction, HIV prevention campaigns, and child survival strategies through mass media and health system strengthening. These studies have informed global health policy and practice, with her findings published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. More recently, she is expanding her focus into Global Mental Health, combining her dual expertise in epidemiology and psychotherapy.

🛠️Skills

Sophie has developed a diverse skill set in both public health research and psychotherapeutic practice. In research, she is adept in designing mixed-methods surveys, creating quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, training interviewers, and conducting advanced data analysis using STATA. She also has experience with interpretative phenomenological analysis and scientific reporting. In psychotherapy, she applies an integrative, trauma-informed and collaborative approach, blending Internal Family Systems therapy, humanistic modalities, attachment theories, neuroscience-informed methods, and creative techniques such as drawing. Her practice is inclusive, culturally sensitive, and open-ended or time-limited based on client needs.

🏆Awards

Sophie’s work has been supported by esteemed institutions such as the Wellcome Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and UNITAID. While formal individual awards are not listed, her consistent involvement in large-scale, high-impact international research trials and her academic role at LSHTM reflect strong recognition of her contributions to public health and applied psychology.

📚 Publications

Title: The World Health Organization Antenatal CorTicosteroids for Improving Outcomes in preterm Newborns (ACTION-III) Trial
Author(s): WHO ACTION Trials Collaborators
Year: 2024
Journal: Trials

Title: Evaluating the Intensity of Exposure to MTV Shuga, an Edutainment Program for HIV Prevention: Cross-Sectional Study in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Author(s): Babalola, S., Shiferaw, S., Mkhize, N., Sarrassat, S., Farahani, M., Wouters, E.
Year: 2024
Journal: JMIR Formative Research

Conclusion:

Dr. Sarrassat exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier researcher through her evidence-based approach, leadership in global health interventions, and dedication to mentorship and equity. With modest increases in visibility and leadership in mental health research, her profile will only grow stronger. Her interdisciplinary work aligns well with current global health priorities and deserves recognition through this prestigious award.

Ms. Aqsa Zafar Abbasi | Data Science | Women Researcher Award

Ms. Aqsa Zafar Abbasi, Institute of Space Technology, Pakistan

Ms. Aqsa Zafar Abbasi is a PhD candidate in Mathematics at the Institute of Space Technology, Pakistan, specializing in group theory, cryptography, and mathematical modeling. Her research focuses on the parametric exploration of homomorphisms of modular groups for finite generalized triangle groups, with applications in image encryption, substitution box design, and neural network-based cryptographic security. With six years of teaching experience, she has served as a visiting lecturer at multiple institutions, teaching courses in differential equations, discrete mathematics, graph theory, and engineering mathematics. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to research in cryptography, fuzzy algebra, and numerical simulations. Aqsa is proficient in MATLAB, Python, R, and computational intelligence techniques, making her a dedicated researcher in the fields of mathematics and data security.

Profile

Summary:

Ms. Aqsa Zafar Abbasi is an exceptional researcher in mathematical cryptography, data security, and computational mathematics. Her significant contributions to encryption techniques, strong publication record, and interdisciplinary expertise make her a strong candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. While she already has an impressive academic and research background, expanding collaborations, engaging in industry applications, and securing research funding could further elevate her contributions.

🎓 Education

Aqsa Zafar Abbasi is currently pursuing a PhD in Mathematics at the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, with an expected completion date in February 2025. Her research focuses on the parametric exploration of homomorphisms of modular groups for finite generalized triangle groups, with applications in cryptography and neural network-based encryption. She holds an MS in Mathematics from the same institution, completed in 2021, where she explored algebraic characteristics of bipolar-valued fuzzy subgroups and their applications in decision-making and S-box analysis. She also earned an MSc in Mathematics from PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, with an excellent academic record.

💼Experience

With six years of teaching experience, Aqsa has served as a visiting lecturer at prestigious institutions, including Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, National Defence University, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), and the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad. She has taught differential equations, discrete mathematics, graph theory, real analysis, linear algebra, and engineering mathematics to students in mathematics, software engineering, and computer science programs.

🔬Research Focus

Aqsa’s research expertise includes group theory, cryptography, algebraic geometry, numerical solutions of PDEs, and machine learning applications in mathematical modeling. She specializes in highly secure substitution box construction for encryption, particularly for image encryption and watermarking, using parameterized homomorphisms of modular groups. Additionally, she integrates neural networks with encryption schemes to enhance data security. Her research also extends to bipolar-valued fuzzy set theory, focusing on its applications in decision-making and cryptographic analysis.

Awards

Aqsa has gained recognition for her contributions to cryptography, algebraic structures, and numerical analysis, with publications in renowned scientific journals. Her research on mathematical modeling and encryption techniques has positioned her as a dedicated scholar in her field.

Skills

Aqsa possesses a diverse skill set, including mathematical modeling, computational intelligence, programming (C++, Python, MATLAB, R, Wolfram Mathematica), research writing, editing, and proofreading. She is also skilled in seminar organization, event management, leadership, and teamwork, making her a well-rounded academic professional.

Publications

Publication: A digital audio data protection method using parametric action of generalised triangle group on GF(28)
Authors: A.Z. Abbasi (Aqsa Zafar Abbasi), A. Rafiq (Ayesha Rafiq), B.M. Alshammari (Badr Mesned)
Journal: Ain Shams Engineering Journal
Year: 2025