Publication

Prof. Dr. Seyed Ali Hosseini

President of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences

Full Professor of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Seyed Ali Hosseini is a Full Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran. With over three decades of leadership in clinical education, national policy development, and child neurorehabilitation, he is widely recognized as a founding figure in Iran’s occupational therapy education. Dr. Hosseini has served as President of USWR, Head of the Iranian Occupational Therapy Association, and chaired numerous national educational, research, and ethics councils. He has authored more than 10 academic books, published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, and supervised dozens of theses in the fields of developmental disabilities and neurocognitive interventions. His international lectures, editorial roles, and policy influence reflect a rare blend of academic rigor and strategic vision in advancing rehabilitation sciences across the country and beyond.

Dr. Mohammad Saeid Khanjani

Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology

Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling

Dr. Mohammad Saeid Khanjani is an Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran. With over 15 years of academic and clinical instruction across PhD, MSc, and BSc levels, he is recognized for his expertise in vocational rehabilitation, addiction counseling, qualitative research, and crisis intervention. A former Deputy for Student and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Khanjani has held multiple high-level administrative roles, including Director of the Social Health Research Institute and Advisor to the University President. His scholarly record spans more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and over 30 supervised graduate theses. Beyond academia, he serves on national boards focused on talent development, educational futures, and medical ethics. Dr. Khanjani’s work bridges mental health, disability rights, and strategic educational planning, making him a dynamic contributor to Iran’s rehabilitation and social welfare systems.

Dr. Farhoud Saeid Ershadi

Associate Professor of Orthotics and Prosthetics

Dr. Farhoud Saeid Ershadi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran. With more than two decades of clinical, academic, and policy engagement, he is known for advancing innovation in assistive technologies, orthopedic bracing, and rehabilitation education. His diverse portfolio includes over 20 research projects, 30 peer-reviewed publications, national standard development in orthotic services, and the authorship of academic books in pediatric orthotics and functional simulation. Dr. Ershadi has led national student entrepreneurship events, contributed to curriculum reforms, and represented Iran in international orthotic research collaborations. As a scientific committee member, research mentor, and award-winning educator, he has received national acclaim for developing low-cost orthopedic training simulators. His multidisciplinary work reflects a deep commitment to translational research, student empowerment, and improving access to personalized rehabilitation care.

Dr. Talieh Zarifian

Director of Medical Information and Scientific Resources

Associate Professor of Speech Therapy

Dr. Talieh Zarifian is an Associate Professor of Speech Therapy at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran, where she also serves as Head of the Central Library. With more than 25 years of clinical and academic experience, she has pioneered diagnostic and intervention tools in speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and early phonological development in Persian-speaking children. Dr. Zarifian has authored over 70 peer-reviewed articles and numerous books, including contributions to the Oxford Handbook of Speech Development in Languages of the World. She is a lead supervisor of PhD and MSc theses, and actively contributes to national research on autism, cleft palate, and language assessment. As a frequent reviewer for international journals and speaker at global congresses, Dr. Zarifian is recognized for her culturally grounded, evidence-based innovations in pediatric speech-language pathology and digital intervention design.

Prof. Dr. Homeira Sajadi

Full Professor of Social Determinants of Health

Dr. Homeira Sajadi is a Full Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Iran, specializing in social determinants of health, maternal health equity, and vulnerability studies. With over two decades of teaching, research, and academic leadership, she has led national studies on women's health, multidimensional poverty, and equity-oriented social indicators. Dr. Sajadi has served as Director of Graduate Education and Vice Chancellor for Research, and as Head of the Social Determinants of Health Research Center. Her work includes multiple books, over 70 peer-reviewed publications, and collaboration on national frameworks aligned with WHO models of health justice. Recognized for her contributions to maternal wellbeing, child vulnerability, and gender-sensitive policy evaluation, she plays a prominent role in academic training, ethics committees, and intersectoral health policy development across Iran.

Prof. Dr. Fariba Yadegari

Full Professor of Speech Therapy

Dr. Fariba Yadegari is a Professor of Speech Therapy at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran. With more than three decades of academic experience, she is a national leader in neurocognitive language assessment, aphasia rehabilitation, and prelinguistic development. Her research spans over 60 peer-reviewed publications and multiple collaborative studies in psycholinguistics and acquired communication disorders. As former chair of the Iranian Scientific Speech Therapy Association, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the profession across clinical, educational, and policy dimensions. Dr. Yadegari has developed specialized academic curricula at PhD and MSc levels and actively contributes to national ethics and health boards. Her international presence—reflected in lectures, congress contributions, and cross-border collaborations—highlights her commitment to elevating speech-language pathology through evidence-based practice and culturally responsive care.

Prof. Dr. Farahnaz Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi

Full Professor of Nursing

Dr. Farahnaz Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi is a Full Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Iran, with over three decades of leadership in gerontological nursing, elderly care policy, and health equity. As a pioneer in designing Iran’s national curricula for rehabilitation and geriatric nursing, she has contributed to reshaping education and service models for aging populations. She has served as the Head of the Research Center on Social Determinants of Health, and currently advises the Ministry of Health on elderly care and medical ethics. Dr. Mohammadi-Shahboulaghi has authored multiple academic books, published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, and received numerous honors as a leading educator and researcher. Her work bridges policy, practice, and advocacy for aging with dignity. A national and international voice in successful aging, dementia care, and inter-professional ethics, she is regarded as a transformative figure in Iran’s eldercare systems.

Prof. Dr. Nasibeh Zanjari

Full Professor of Health and Social Welfare

Dr. Nasibeh Zanjari is a Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, specializing in social gerontology, medical sociology, and social policy analysis. With a multidisciplinary background in social welfare, sociology, and aging studies, she leads and contributes to national research on aging, quality of life, gender and health, and population policy. Dr. Zanjari has been a principal investigator or senior collaborator in over 20 research projects, including national cohort studies, policy reports for ministries, and international collaborations with UN agencies. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and authored several books, including a major work on “Successful Aging” in Iran. Her research bridges conceptual frameworks and practical indicators for aging equity, and she actively engages in ethics committees and educational reform initiatives. Recognized as a rising academic leader, she has received multiple national honors and fellowships for her contributions to social health and population research.

Dr. Seyed Hossein Mohaghegh Kamal

Associate Professor of Health and Social Welfare

Dr. Seyed Hossein Mohaghegh Kamal is an Associate Professor of Social Welfare and Health Policy at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran. With a background in public health, social welfare, and health equity, he has led pioneering research on multidimensional poverty, social well-being, and composite indicators of social development in Iran. His studies have explored vulnerable populations such as older adults, informal workers, and street children, informing both academic literature and national policymaking. Dr. Mohaghegh has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, authored textbooks on social health, and received national recognition as an outstanding educator. He also serves in senior academic leadership as the University’s Faculty Affairs Deputy. Known for his expertise in measuring social determinants of health, he contributes to ethical committees, academic conferences, and policy dialogues focused on inclusive and data-driven health systems.

Dr. Nazila Akbarfahimi

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Nazila Akbarfahimi is a  Associate Professor at USWR, renowned for her leadership in neurodevelopmental rehabilitation and child-focused interventions. Her academic journey spans over three decades, marked by influential publications, national curriculum contributions, and pioneering research on cerebral palsy and functional coaching. As an advisor for doctoral and master’s projects, she fosters innovation in clinical education and interdisciplinary care. Dr. Akbarfahimi has also played a key role in national ethics and education reform boards. Her engagement in translating international tools and collaborating on global rehabilitation initiatives makes her a strong advocate for advancing knowledge beyond borders.

Dr. Kianoush Abdi

Associate Professor of Health Services Management

Dr. Kianoush Abdi is an Associate Professor of Health Services Management at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), where he also leads the Department of Rehabilitation Management and serves as Director of Research Development and Evaluation. With a unique background in speech therapy and rehabilitation policy, Dr. Abdi brings over two decades of cross-sectoral leadership in academic development, disaster preparedness, health ethics, and community-based rehabilitation. As the Secretary of the National Board of Social Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Health, he has shaped policy frameworks that align disability rights with national service delivery. His research spans over 70 publications, with contributions to mental health, disability policy, and health system responsiveness. A frequent speaker at national and international congresses, Dr. Abdi is also a member of multiple editorial boards and national ethics committees. His commitment to translational research and systems innovation makes him a driving force in shaping inclusive health and rehabilitation agendas in Iran and beyond.

Dr. Ali Khaji

Assistant Professor of Medical Ethics

Dr. Ali Khaji is an Assistant Professor at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), with a dual background in medicine and biomedical ethics. He brings over two decades of experience in trauma epidemiology, disaster ethics, and war-related health research. As the former executive deputy and co-founder of the Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, he played a pivotal role in designing the first national trauma databank (STDB) in Iran. His research covers a wide range of topics including landmine injuries, wartime trauma, health ethics in emergencies, and the long-term health of war survivors. Dr. Khaji serves on multiple national ethics committees and has co-authored more than 70 scientific publications indexed in Scopus and PubMed. His academic contributions also include several book chapters on disaster medicine and military ethics. Recognized for bridging ethics with evidence-based trauma care, he is a distinguished voice in Iran’s health and humanitarian research landscape.

Dr. Shima Shirozhan

Assistant Professor of Nursing and Postdoctoral Researcher in Health in Emergencies and Disasters

Dr. Shima Shirozhan is a postdoctoral researcher and faculty member in the Nursing Department at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), where she is also affiliated with the Research Center for Health in Emergencies and Disasters. She holds a Ph.D. in Nursing Education with a focus on rehabilitation nursing. Her academic interests include rehabilitation care models, nursing education, disaster health management, and both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Dr. Shirozhan has contributed to academic literature through publications and authored books in health sciences. She has extensive experience in teaching and mentoring across nursing and rehabilitation programs, and has participated in national research projects, including the development of rehabilitation nursing models. Recognized as an exceptional research talent by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, she also serves as a reviewer for academic journals and conferences, reflecting her commitment to advancing evidence-based, interdisciplinary practice in healthcare.