Research Scholar at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India
Kaneez Fatima Dar is a dedicated researcher in Cognitive Psychology, currently pursuing her PhD at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee). Her research focuses on cognitive reappraisal, inhibitory control, and emotion regulation in fear extinction, contributing to advancements in clinical psychology and neuroscience. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kashmir, where she achieved 89%, and has a strong academic background, qualifying GATE Psychology (AIR-76). As a teaching assistant at IIT Roorkee, she has contributed to multiple psychology courses, mentoring students and assisting in academic assessments. She has also gained clinical exposure through an internship at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Kashmir, and mentoring experience with the Kashmir Education Initiative (KEI). Kaneez has presented her research at prestigious conferences, including TeaP 2025 (Germany), European Congress of Psychology 2025 (Cyprus), and Neuroscience 2024 (USA). She has received multiple fellowships, including the MHRD Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, in recognition of her academic and research excellence. With an interdisciplinary approach integrating psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science, her work contributes to understanding fear extinction, cognitive interventions, and mental health applications, making her a promising scholar in cognitive psychology.
Professional Profile
Education
Kaneez Fatima Dar has a strong academic background in psychology, with a consistent record of excellence throughout her education. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Kashmir in 2017, where she developed a foundational understanding of human behavior and cognitive processes. She then pursued a Master’s degree in Psychology at the University of Kashmir in 2020, securing an impressive 89% and conducting a thesis titled “Life Satisfaction in Relation with Hope and Religiosity”, which explored psychological well-being and personal beliefs. Her academic achievements and research potential led her to qualify for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in Psychology, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 76 in 2021. Building on her strong research inclination, she commenced her PhD in Cognitive Psychology at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) in 2021, where she investigates cognitive reappraisal, inhibitory control, and their role in aiding the extinction of fear responses. She has been awarded prestigious fellowships, including the MHRD Junior Research Fellowship (2021-2023) and MHRD Senior Research Fellowship (2023-present). Her educational journey reflects a deep commitment to psychological research, cognitive science, and academic excellence, establishing her as a promising scholar in her field.
Professional Experience
Kaneez Fatima Dar has gained extensive professional experience in research, teaching, and mentorship, contributing significantly to academia and cognitive psychology. As a Teaching Assistant at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), she has played an integral role in multiple psychology courses, including “Introduction to Psychology,” “Cognitive Ergonomics,” and “Psychological Basis of Behavior.” Her responsibilities involved conducting lectures, designing assessments, evaluating student performance, and assisting in course development, showcasing her ability to mentor and guide students in higher education. Beyond teaching, she has also worked as a mentor for the Kashmir Education Initiative (KEI), where she provided academic and career guidance to students, helping them develop their potential. She further expanded her practical exposure through an internship at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Kashmir, where she gained hands-on experience in mental health research and psychological assessments. Additionally, Kaneez has been actively involved in various research projects related to cognitive control, fear extinction, and emotional reactivity, collaborating on interdisciplinary studies that integrate psychology and neuroscience. Her professional experience highlights her strong academic leadership, research expertise, and commitment to psychological sciences, making her a valuable contributor to the field of cognitive psychology.
Research interest
Kaneez Fatima Dar’s research interests lie at the intersection of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and emotion regulation, with a particular focus on cognitive reappraisal, inhibitory control, and fear extinction. Her doctoral research at IIT Roorkee explores how higher cognitive processes, such as cognitive control and reappraisal, influence the extinction of conditioned fear responses, providing valuable insights into anxiety disorders and emotional regulation mechanisms. She is particularly interested in understanding how individual differences in fear sensitivity, emotional reactivity, and memory updating contribute to psychological resilience and vulnerability. Her research extends beyond fear and emotion regulation to cognitive interventions, such as the impact of mantra chanting on cognitive performance, which she explored in a project funded by the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education. Additionally, she has studied topics such as trait anxiety, movie preferences, and their effects on resilience and preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaneez’s interdisciplinary approach integrates experimental psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and psychophysiology, allowing her to contribute to both clinical applications and theoretical advancements in cognitive psychology. Through her research, she aims to develop effective cognitive training techniques and therapeutic interventions for individuals struggling with fear-based disorders and emotional dysregulation.
Award & Honor
Kaneez Fatima Dar has received several prestigious awards and honors in recognition of her academic excellence, research contributions, and scholarly achievements. She qualified for the highly competitive Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in Psychology in 2021, securing an All India Rank (AIR) of 76, which demonstrated her strong conceptual understanding and research potential in psychology. As a testament to her outstanding research capabilities, she was awarded the MHRD Junior Research Fellowship (2021-2023), followed by the MHRD Senior Research Fellowship (2023-present) at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), supporting her doctoral research in cognitive psychology and emotion regulation. Kaneez has also gained international recognition by presenting her research at prestigious global conferences, including TeaP 2025 (Germany), the 19th European Congress of Psychology (Cyprus), and Neuroscience 2024 (USA), reflecting her engagement with the global scientific community. Additionally, she has presented her work at national conferences, such as the Annual Conference of Cognitive Science at IIT Kanpur and the Indian Academy of Neurosciences 2024. Her numerous poster presentations, invited talks, and research fellowships highlight her exceptional academic record and significant contributions to the field of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and emotion regulation.
Conclusion
Kaneez Fatima is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with an impressive track record in cognitive psychology, fear extinction, and inhibitory control. Her conference presentations, fellowships, and teaching experience make her an exceptional academic researcher. Strengthening her profile through high-impact journal publications, interdisciplinary work, and research grants could further enhance her candidacy for prestigious research awards.
Publications Top Noted
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Title: Scope and challenges in the implementation of Time Bank in India: A qualitative study
- Author(s): A. Verma, S. Sridhar, K.F. Dar, M.K. Asthana
- Year: 2024
- Cited by: 4
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Title: Does cognitive reappraisal facilitate extinction?
- Author(s): K.F. Dar, M.K. Asthana
- Year: 2025
- Cited by: Not yet available
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Title: Inhibitory control training might be a gateway to enhance fear extinction.
- Author(s): K.F. Dar, M.K. Asthana
- Year: 2025
- Cited by: Not yet available