Laura Dominique | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Laura Dominique | Psychology | Best Researcher Award

Northumbria University | United Kingdom

Dr. Laura Dominique is an internationally recognised forensic psychologist, academic, and inventor whose career has been dedicated to improving communication and justice outcomes for vulnerable individuals within the criminal justice system. Dr. Laura Dominique is the inventor and Principal Investigator of the Forensic Interview Trace, an innovative research-led tool designed to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of investigative interviewing. Alongside her academic achievements, Dr. Laura Dominique has worked extensively as a Registered Intermediary accredited by the Ministry of Justice, directly supporting vulnerable victims, witnesses, and suspects who present with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, or autism. Her leadership, both in academia and practice, has placed her at the forefront of forensic psychology, making her an influential figure in research, teaching, and applied practice.

Professional Profile

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ORCID

Education

Dr. Laura Dominique pursued advanced studies in psychology and health, establishing a strong foundation for her pioneering work. Dr. Laura Dominique completed her doctorate in psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, where her thesis focused on developing a more practice-oriented framework for investigative interviewing in relation to mental disorder. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology, complemented by a Diploma in Health and Social Care, reflecting her interdisciplinary expertise. Dr. Laura Dominique has also been awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, acknowledging her academic contribution to teaching and research excellence. This combination of qualifications demonstrates her continuous commitment to both academic scholarship and practical application.

Experience

With an extensive and diverse professional background, Dr. Laura Dominique has held several prominent academic positions including Assistant Professor at Northumbria University, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Forensic Psychology at the University of Sunderland, and Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. In these roles, Dr. Laura Dominique has taught and supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students, developed innovative curricula, and contributed to research-led teaching. Beyond academia, Dr. Laura Dominique is the Founder and Director of her own specialist company focusing on communication within vulnerability, working closely with criminal justice professionals to implement best practice in cases involving individuals with mental health disorders and learning disabilities. Dr. Laura Dominique has acted as consultant and trainer to national and international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, judicial colleges, and multiple police forces, delivering expertise on interviewing vulnerable suspects, witnesses, and victims. Her breadth of experience reflects both leadership and commitment to bridging the gap between research, practice, and policy.

Research Interests

Dr. Laura Dominique’s research interests lie at the intersection of forensic psychology, criminal justice, and communication. Dr. Laura Dominique’s work is primarily concerned with how vulnerable individuals are supported during investigative processes and how police officers and legal practitioners approach cases involving mental disorder, learning difficulties, and other communication challenges. She has conducted in-depth studies on investigative interviewing techniques, false confessions, miscarriages of justice, and the role of the Appropriate Adult in safeguarding suspects. Dr. Laura Dominique also explores broader themes including forensic linguistics, interview decision-making, the effectiveness of special measures in court, and the protection of witnesses with communication needs. Her research is both theoretical and applied, providing not only scholarly contributions but also practical recommendations that shape policy and training for justice professionals.

Awards

Throughout her career, Dr. Laura Dominique has successfully secured prestigious research funding and innovation awards that highlight the impact and relevance of her work. Dr. Laura Dominique has been recognised through enterprise fellowships and commercialisation support awards to further develop and evaluate the Forensic Interview Trace, demonstrating her ability to translate research into market-ready solutions. She has also received major research grants from national defence and security bodies, enabling her to test and validate forensic communication tools in high-stakes environments. In addition, Dr. Laura Dominique has led and collaborated on several externally funded projects with colleagues in criminology, law, and psychology, addressing issues ranging from police training and suspect interrogation to support for vulnerable witnesses. These achievements underscore her reputation as an innovative and impactful researcher with a strong record of applied grant success.

Publications

Dr. Laura Dominique has published extensively in leading journals and books on forensic psychology and criminal justice. Selected works include:

Title: Forensic interviewing of vulnerable interviewees in England and Wales: A Study Space Analysis
Journal: Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology
Published on: 2025

Title: Community and police officer attitudes towards offenders with mental health conditions
Journal: Current Issues in Criminal Justice
Published on: 2024

Title: Exploring vulnerability in the criminal justice system in England and Wales
Journal: Routledge
Published on: 2024

Title: Evaluation of Forensic Interviews and Interrogations: A Thematic Analysis of Law-Enforcement Views
Journal: Journal of Criminal Psychology
Published on: 2024

Title: Politeness, face, and rapport-building in remote and face-to-face investigative interviews with witnesses
Journal: International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law
Published on: 2024

Title: The Appropriate Adult: Their perspective working in the Criminal Justice System
Journal: Criminology and Criminal Justice
Published on: 2023

Title: Achieving best evidence from victims and witnesses
Journal: Interviewing and interrogation
Published on: 2023

Title: Evaluating process
Journal: Police Professional
Published on: 2022

Conclusion

Dr. Laura Dominique represents the highest standard of excellence in research, innovation, and professional practice. Dr. Laura Dominique has combined academic rigour with a strong commitment to practical application, developing tools, training, and frameworks that improve justice processes for some of the most vulnerable members of society. Her invention of the Forensic Interview Trace and her extensive record of publications have had significant national and international impact. Dr. Laura Dominique has demonstrated leadership in teaching, consultancy, and applied research, positioning herself as a global authority in forensic psychology and communication within vulnerability. For these reasons, Dr. Laura Dominique is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, embodying the values of innovation, integrity, and societal impact.

Subodh Kumar | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Subodh Kumar | Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso | United States

Dr. Subodh Kumar is an esteemed Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC), El Paso, USA. With a strong foundation in molecular biology and neurobiology, Dr. Kumar’s research centers around understanding the molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). He has made significant strides in uncovering the roles of synaptosomal and mitochondrial microRNAs in synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. A prolific researcher and innovator, Dr. Kumar has also contributed to biomarker discovery, therapeutic target identification, and translational neuroscience using cutting-edge multi-omics approaches.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Subodh Kumar has established an enviable track record of original, high-impact research that squarely meets—and arguably exceeds—the criteria for a “Best Researcher” distinction. His laboratory was first to profile synapse-localized microRNAs in the human brain and to link their deregulation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), opening a fresh mechanistic window on synaptic failure. That foundational discovery has already yielded four first- or corresponding-author papers in top-tier journals since 2024 (e.g., Molecular Psychiatry and Clinical & Translational Medicine) and a growing citation trajectory.

Concurrently, Dr. Kumar has secured competitive funding as PI on an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, an R00 project running through 2026, and multiple foundation and intramural grants—clear evidence of both scientific rigor and fiscal stewardship. His service portfolio is equally compelling: associate editor for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, ad-hoc reviewer for NIH, AHA, and international agencies, and manuscript referee for leading journals such as Nature Communications. Collectively, these achievements demonstrate innovation, productivity, leadership, and an ability to translate ideas into funded, peer-validated science—key hallmarks of an award-worthy researcher.

🎓 Education

Dr. Kumar’s academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Biology (2004) and an M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2005) from CCS University, Meerut, India. He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, in 2014. Furthering his expertise, he completed postdoctoral training in Neurobiology at TTUHSC, Lubbock, Texas, USA, in 2021. His education spans across premier institutions in India and the United States, equipping him with a solid interdisciplinary background.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Kumar holds a distinguished career spanning academia and research. He is currently an Assistant Professor at TTUHSC El Paso (2022–present) and previously served as a Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellow at TTUHSC Lubbock. His research roots trace back to roles at PGIMER and IIMT College of Medical Science in India. He has also held influential editorial roles and served as an ad-hoc reviewer for NIH and international grant agencies. With over 15 years in scientific research, Dr. Kumar has shaped the fields of neurobiology and molecular medicine through his multifaceted experience.

🧠 Research Interests On Neuroscience

Dr. Kumar’s research is dedicated to elucidating the roles of synaptic and mitochondrial microRNAs in neurodegeneration, especially in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. His lab explores miRNA-mediated modulation of synaptic proteins, neurotransmission, and mitochondrial health using advanced in vivo models and omics platforms. Current projects focus on miR-502-3p as a biomarker and therapeutic target in AD, including studies in Hispanic populations. His research portfolio spans synapse plasticity, GABAergic signaling, multi-omics integration, and biomarker validation in human and animal models.

🏅 Awards

Dr. Kumar’s excellence in neuroscience and molecular biology has earned him numerous accolades, including the Marsh Foundation Research Award (2024) and the prestigious NIH Pathway to Independence Career Development Award (K99/R00, 2020). He received the Best Oral Presentation Award at TTUHSC El Paso’s Annual Research Symposium (2022) and Best Poster Award at the Regional Healthy Aging Symposium (2018). His early career was marked by top-tier fellowships from ICMR, CSIR, and IIT Kanpur. These honors underscore his impactful contributions to aging and neurodegenerative disease research.

📚 Publications

  • Protective effects of Indian spice curcumin against amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease
    PH Reddy, M Manczak, X Yin, MC Grady, A Mitchell, S Tonk, CS Kuruva, …
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 367

  • Are circulating microRNAs peripheral biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease?
    S Kumar, PH Reddy
    Year: 2016
    Citations: 333

  • Mutant APP and amyloid beta-induced defective autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial structural and functional changes and synaptic damage in hippocampal neurons from Alzheimer’s disease
    PH Reddy, XL Yin, M Manczak, S Kumar, JA Pradeepkiran, M Vijayan, …
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 292

  • MicroRNAs as peripheral biomarkers in aging and age-related diseases
    S Kumar, M Vijayan, JS Bhatti, PH Reddy
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 234

  • MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential peripheral biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease
    S Kumar, M Vijayan, PH Reddy
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 169

  • A critical evaluation of neuroprotective and neurodegenerative MicroRNAs in Alzheimer’s disease
    PH Reddy, S Tonk, S Kumar, M Vijayan, R Kandimalla, CS Kuruva, …
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 158

  • Defective mitophagy and synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease: Focus on aging, mitochondria and synapse
    H Morton, S Kshirsagar, E Orlov, LE Bunquin, N Sawant, L Boleng, …
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 142

  • Deregulated mitochondrial microRNAs in Alzheimer’s disease: focus on synapse and mitochondria
    P Gowda, PH Reddy, S Kumar
    Year: 2022
    Citations: 121

  • MicroRNA-455-3p as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease: an update
    S Kumar, PH Reddy
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 116

  • Are microRNAs true sensors of ageing and cellular senescence?
    J Williams, F Smith, S Kumar, M Vijayan, PH Reddy
    Year: 2017
    Citations: 96

🔚 Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Subodh Kumar stands out as a visionary scientist whose pioneering work in Alzheimer’s disease has bridged molecular biology and translational neuroscience. His innovative studies on synaptosomal and mitochondrial miRNAs offer promising avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic advancements. Dr. Kumar’s dedication, scholarly excellence, and translational impact make him a deserving candidate for this award recognition.