Academic staff

With dual doctoral expertise spanning Biological and Medical Psychology (Biomedical Imaging) as well as Music Psychology, I specialize in bridging Neuroscience, Neonatology, and Medical Psychology, specifically driven by the question of how the brain develops during the first 1500 days of life. To address this, I employ a multimodal approach that integrates neuroimaging, behavioral, and observational techniques, alongside computational methods. My overarching aim is to translate this research into clinical practice, particularly within the NICU setting.

Dr. Mohammad Nami is an Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology at the School of Health Sciences and Psychology, Canadian University Dubai. Dr Nami is an associate member of the Harvard Medical School Alumni, and member of the Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs. Mohammad Nami is the Director of the Brain, Cognition, and Behavior Unit at the BrainHub UAE, as well as former Head of the Department of Neuroscience and Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology Affairs, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Dr. Alia El Naggar is a highly accomplished professional in the field of neurodevelopmental psychology, early intervention, behaviour therapy, counselling, inclusive education, and autism. With over 15 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Dr. El Naggar's educational journey began with a Bachelor's degree in psychology, which laid the foundation for her deep understanding of human behaviour and cognition.

I am an interdisciplinary psychologist, educator, and researcher with more than a decade of experience across academic, clinical, and community settings in Canada and India. My work is grounded in trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches to psychological practice and education. Currently, I serve as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at Canadian University Dubai, where I teach and mentor undergraduate students through experiential, research-informed, and compassion-driven learning environments.

I am an interdisciplinary mental health educator, researcher, and clinician with over 25 years of experience across academic, clinical, and community-based sectors. I am deeply committed to socially just, trauma-informed, and integrative approaches to psychological practice. Currently, I serve as an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at Canadian University Dubai.

Bashar Qatanany serves as a Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Technician in the Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychometrics Laboratories within the School of Health Sciences and Psychology at CUD. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from CUD, where he developed a strong foundation in experimental and quantitative research methods.