News

HEI-LAB Students Excel in Securing FCT Doctoral Scholarships

HEI-LAB celebrates significant success in the latest allocation of doctoral scholarships by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

Among the various research areas within HEI-LAB, projects in Clinical Psychology, Computer Science, Communication, and Arts were awarded, highlighting the unit's growing impact across interdisciplinary fields and strengthening its position in the intersection of emerging technologies, health, and well-being.

In the Psychology panel, HEI-LAB achieved an impressive result, with 15% of the national scholarships granted to its students. This accomplishment underscores the quality and relevance of the proposals submitted by HEI-LAB PhD Students.

These projects reflect the diversity and depth of research at HEI-LAB, as well as the impact of its international and interdisciplinary collaborations. The unit continues to be a benchmark in the development of innovative interventions and research in mental health and digital technologies.

Summary of Approved Projects:

	Ana Jacinta Pessoa Pinha PhD Area: Computer Science Title: Understanding Roleplay: Developing a Data Collection Pipeline to Study Live Player Emotions and Dynamics in Tabletop Role-Playing Games Supervisors: Phil Lopes, Micaela Fonseca, Antonios Liapis (University of Malta)
	Andreia Alexandra Gil Manão Alves Ribeiro PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: Anthesis LGB+: An online transdiagnostic CBT intervention to reduce sexual distress related to sexual function in people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or other minority sexual orientations Supervisors: Patrícia M. Pascoal, Sérgio Carvalho, Gerhard Andersson
	Shivani Atul Mansuklal PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: DaydreamCatcher: A pilot RCT study of an iCBT intervention for Maladaptive Daydreaming in university students Supervisors: Gerhard Andersson, Patrícia M. Pascoal, Eli Somer
	Edna Moleirinho Martins PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: Adaption and efficacy of an Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety in Portugal (PORTiSOFIE): What about the impact on relationship satisfaction? Supervisors: Gerhard Andersson, Patrícia M. Pascoal, Marco Pereira
	Ivanilda Benedito da Costa PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: SIYA-PT: An Internet-based CBT intervention to enhance low self-esteem Supervisors: Patrícia M. Pascoal, Sérgio Carvalho, Gerhard Andersson
	Pedro Miguel Alves Fernandes PhD Area: Communication Sciences Title: The Rise of the New Wave Horror: How Independent Developers Reshaped the Identity of Digital Horror Games Supervisors: Pedro Neves, Phil Lopes
	Carlos Filipe Abrantes Antunes Pinto PhD Area: Media Arts and Communication Title: Converging Realities: Exploring fourth wall breaks and metanarratives in video games Supervisor: Filipe Luz
	Daniela Tavares PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: Infant neurobehavioral regulatory profiles and symptoms of developmental and mental health problems at 2 years of age: A longitudinal study Supervisors: Tiago Miguel Pinto, Raquel Costa, Inês Jongenelen
	Daniela Fidalgo PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: The role of parent-infant brain synchrony and behavioral co-regulation in the association between maternal and paternal anxiety and depressive symptoms and infant developmental and mental health problems Supervisors: Raquel Costa, Tiago Miguel Pinto, Stefanie Hoehl
	Marta Raimundo PhD Area: Clinical Psychology, CBT Title: Insomnia in adolescents: Intervention using Digital Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Supervisors: Tania Gaspar, Teresa Paiva, Pedro Gamito, Jorge Oliveira