Publication

Prof. Dr. Seyed Ali Hosseini

Chancellor 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) in Tehran, Iran. With over three decades of leadership in clinical education, national policy development, and child neurorehabilitation, he is widely recognized as a founding figure of doctoral education in Iran’s occupational therapy. Dr. Hosseini has served as a chancellor of USWR, Head of the Iranian Occupational Therapy Association, and also chaired numerous national educational, research, and ethics councils. He has authored more than 10 academic books, published over 132 peer-reviewed national and international articles, and supervised dozens of theses on developmental disabilities and neurocognitive interventions. His international lectures, editorial roles, and influence in policymaking reflect a rare blend of academic rigor and strategic vision in advancing rehabilitation sciences both within Iran and globally.

Dr. Mohammad Saeed Khanjani

Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology

Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling

Dr. Mohammad Saeed Khanjani is an associate professor in the field of rehabilitation counseling and a faculty member of the Counseling Department at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran. He, with more than 15 years of experience in educational, research, and clinical activities for doctoral, master's, and bachelor's levels, is known for his expertise in the areas of mental rehabilitation, crisis intervention, and quantitative and qualitative research. Dr. Khanjani has held various managerial responsibilities, including director of the Social Health Research Institute, vice chancellor for student affairs, advisor to the university president, and head of the university president's office. A summary of his academic record includes more than 80 scientific articles and supervision and consultation of more than 30 doctoral and master's theses. Dr. Khanjani's activities in the fields of mental health and mental rehabilitation have made him a dynamic and influential figure in the country's rehabilitation system.

Dr. Talieh Zarifian

 Director of Medical Information and Scientific Resources

Full Professor of Speech Therapy

Dr. Talieh Zarifian, Full Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. With over 25 years of extensive clinical and academic expertise, she is a prominent figure in the development of diagnostic and intervention frameworks for speech sound disorders, childhood apraxia of speech, and early phonological development, particularly within Persian-speaking populations. Her scholarly impact is evidenced by many peer-reviewed publications and significant contributions to authoritative texts, including theOxford Handbook of Speech Development in Languages of the World. As a member of the Ministry of Health’s Speech-Language Pathology Board and a frequent reviewer for high-impact international journals, Dr. Zarifian is recognized for her pioneering work in evidence-based, culturally responsive innovations and the design of digital interventions in pediatric speech and language pathology.

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. 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 Homeira Sajjadi, MD Professor Homeira Sajjadi is a specialist in community medicine at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Iran. Her academic and research expertise is primarily centered on public health and the social determinants of health. With over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership, she has directed numerous national studies focusing on women's health, child health, social health, quality of life, and equity-oriented social indicators. Throughout her career, Dr. Sajjadi has held several pivotal administrative roles, including Director of Graduate Studies, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Head of the Social Determinants of Health Research Center, and Head of the Department of Social Welfare Management. A prolific scholar, her academic portfolio includes multiple books and over 70 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Sajjadi is widely recognized as a leading authority in the field of social determinants of health. Beyond her primary academic and research endeavors, she actively serves on various educational and research committees both within the university and at the national level.

Dr. Fariba Yadegari

Full Professor of Speech Therapy

Dr. Fariba Yadegari is a Professor of the Department of Speech Therapy at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran. She holds a Ph.D. in Speech Therapy from USWR. She has worked as clinician/clinical supervisor for many years at different speech therapy educational settings. She served as the head of the Speech Therapy Department from 2012 to 2019. She was the former Chairman of Iranian Scientific Speech Therapy Association; at the moment, she is the secretary of the Iranian Speech Therapy Board. Her research interest basically centers around adult aphasia, yet she has papers and books on speech and language development and motor speech disorders.

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 250 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.

Dr. Nasibeh Zanjari

Associate professor of Health and Social Welfare

Dr. Nasibeh Zanjari is an associate professor at the Iranian Research Center on Aging at the University of Rehabilitation Sciences and Social Health (USWR) in Tehran. She specializes in social gerontology, medical sociology, and social policy analysis. With an interdisciplinary background in social welfare, sociology, and aging studies, she has led or participated in national research on successful and active aging, quality of life, well-being, and health. Dr. Zanjari has been involved in more than 20 research projects as a principal investigator or senior fellow, including the Futures Study Population Aging in Iran, the Well-being of Older Persons Index(age watch index), and policy reports for ministries with international collaborations. She has published numerous scientific articles and several books, including an important work on "Futures of Population Aging in Iran." Her research connects conceptual frameworks and practical indicators in social studies of aging. She currently serves as the head of the Social Health Research Institute at the university. Dr. Zanjari has received numerous academic honors in the university arena, such as Outstanding Professor and Researcher, and in the national arena, as second place in the Farabi Festival.

Dr. Seyed Hossein Mohaqeqi Kamal

Full Professor of Health and Social Welfare

Dr. Seyed Hossein Mohaqeqi Kamal is a Full Professor of Social Welfare and Social Health 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. Mohaqeqi 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 various committees, academic conferences, and policy dialogues focused on inclusive and data-driven health system.

Dr. Saeideh Mehrkian
Associate Professor of Audiology

Director of the Central Library of the USWR

Dr. Saeideh Mehrkian is an Associate Professor and faculty member in the Department of Audiology and the Clinical Sciences Division at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), She is a member of the examination and evaluation board for audiology at the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Dr. Mehrkian holds a PhD in audiology and has over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and clinical practice in auditory neuroscience, auditory processing disorders, auditory rehabilitation, and balance disorders. Throughout her academic career, she has taught students, supervised master’s and doctoral theses, and led numerous research projects in auditory neuroscience and vestibular sciences. She has contributed to the advancement of audiology by presenting papers at national and international scientific conferences, publishing in prestigious international journals, and developing, adapting, and validating Persian versions of specialized speech perception tests and vestibular assessment tools. Her work has helped expand scientific knowledge and improve diagnostic and rehabilitation services in audiology and balance sciences. Her primary research interests include auditory processing, speech perception in noise, working memory and cognitive functions, vestibular and balance disorders, cochlear implantation, auditory and cognitive rehabilitation, and electrophysiological assessment of the auditory system. In addition to her academic and research activities, Dr. Mehrkian has extensive experience directing specialized audiology and balance centers. She is committed to providing advanced clinical services in assessing and rehabilitating children and older adults with hearing and balance disorders to improve hearing health and enhance quality of life.

Dr. Nazila Akbarfahimi

Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Dr. Nazila Akbarfahimi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, Iran. She is recognized for her longstanding contributions to neurological rehabilitation, particularly in the areas of cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, and the promotion of functional performance and participation among individuals with disabilities. For more than three decades, Dr. Akbarfahimi has been actively engaged in advancing occupational therapy practice, education, and research. Her areas of expertise include cerebral palsy rehabilitation, neurological occupational therapy, Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC), the Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach, and evidence-based rehabilitation interventions. Dr. Akbarfahimi has made significant scholarly contributions through the authorship, translation, and scientific editing of numerous specialized books, as well as the publication of articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals. She has also played a leading role in the translation, cultural adaptation, validation, and psychometric evaluation of rehabilitation assessment tools, contributing to the advancement of outcome measurement in rehabilitation sciences. In addition to her research activities, she has supervised numerous master's and doctoral theses and has mentored generations of occupational therapists and rehabilitation researchers. As a member of national expert committees, Dr. Akbarfahimi has contributed to the revision and development of occupational therapy curricula at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, helping to strengthen educational standards and align academic programs with contemporary professional needs. Among her notable professional achievements is her pivotal role in establishing and developing the Occupational Therapy Department at Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital, the first specialized rehabilitation hospital in Iran. Her academic and professional endeavors continue to focus on advancing innovative rehabilitation approaches, promoting evidence-based practice, and improving the quality of rehabilitation services at both national and international levels.

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 medical ethics.

Dr. Shima Shirozhan

Assistant Professor of Nursing Education

Dr. Shima Shirozhan is Postdoctoral Researcher in Health in Emergencies and Disasters  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.