Post-doc at University of Galway, Ireland
Dr. Santiago Garcia-Guerrero is an interdisciplinary behavioral scientist 🧠 with a background in clinical psychology 🩺 and a deep passion for mental health and experimental research. He holds a PhD in Psychology from the National University of Ireland, Galway, where he developed innovative behavioral assessments using action dynamics like mouse-tracking 🖱️. With over two decades of experience, his research spans fear-related avoidance, decision-making, and cognitive processes, contributing to peer-reviewed publications and impactful mobile health solutions 📱. He has collaborated on projects examining wind turbine noise and vaccine hesitancy, blending psychology, engineering, and public health 🌍. A dedicated educator and mentor, he has lectured across Europe and Latin America and supervised numerous students. His clinical work with vulnerable populations—especially immigrants—demonstrates his strong commitment to social impact 🤝. Recognized with major scholarships and grants, Dr. Garcia-Guerrero continues to lead innovative research with global relevance.
Professional Profile
Google Scholar
🎓Academic Background
Dr. Santiago Garcia-Guerrero is a behavioral scientist with a strong foundation in clinical and experimental psychology. He earned his PhD in Psychology (Perception, Cognition & Action) from the National University of Ireland, Galway, where his research focused on developing behavioral assessments of fear-related avoidance using advanced tools like mouse-tracking. Prior to that, he completed his MSc in Psychology with Distinction from the University of East London, conducting research on the extinction of avoidance behaviors. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with First Class Honours, from the Catholic University of Colombia, where he specialized in Clinical Psychology. Throughout his education, Dr. Garcia-Guerrero received training from prestigious institutions including Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Edinburgh. He has also completed specialized workshops in computational modeling, Bayesian analysis, motivational interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, equipping him with a diverse skill set to tackle complex psychological research and practice.
💼Professional Experience
Dr. Santiago Garcia-Guerrero brings over two decades of diverse professional experience across academic, clinical, and research settings. He currently serves as a Post-Doctoral Lead Researcher at the University of Galway, where he investigates the effects of environmental noise on cognitive performance. His past roles include visiting researcher at Middlesex University and clinical psychologist in various NGOs and healthcare institutions in London and Colombia. He has delivered psychotherapy to vulnerable populations, particularly within immigrant communities, and has provided clinical supervision and case formulation guidance. In academia, Dr. Garcia-Guerrero has lectured in multiple universities across Europe and Latin America, covering subjects such as research methods, behavioral psychology, and data analysis. He has also led training workshops in R programming and Bayesian statistics. His leadership includes co-organizing international conferences and mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students. His professional journey reflects a unique blend of clinical care, research innovation, and educational impact. 🧑⚕️
🏆Awards and Honors
Dr. Santiago Garcia-Guerrero has received notable recognition for his academic and research excellence. In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Hardiman Research Scholarship by the College of Arts at the National University of Ireland, Galway. This competitive scholarship, valued at €81,305, supported his doctoral research on behavioral assessments of fear and decision-making. In 2017, he successfully secured funding through the NUI Galway Explore initiative, receiving €900 to develop PhobiApp©, a mobile application aimed at helping individuals overcome arachnophobia through behavioral assessment and intervention. These awards reflect his innovative approach to psychological research and his commitment to bridging academic knowledge with practical solutions. His contributions to interdisciplinary projects and international collaborations have further enhanced his reputation as a dedicated and impactful researcher. These honors underscore his ability to secure competitive funding and deliver meaningful outcomes, making him a recognized figure in the fields of psychology, mental health, and behavioral science. 🏅
🔬Research Focus
Dr. Santiago Garcia-Guerrero’s research centers on the intersection of behavioral science, mental health, and experimental psychology. His primary focus lies in understanding fear-related avoidance, decision-making processes, and the cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying human behavior. He has developed innovative behavioral assessments incorporating dynamic response measures such as mouse-tracking, offering novel insights into approach-avoidance conflict during decision-making. Dr. Garcia-Guerrero has also contributed to interdisciplinary studies, including the psychological impact of wind turbine noise on working memory and behavioral factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. His work bridges nomothetic and idiographic approaches, integrating clinical expertise with experimental rigor. He is particularly interested in the application of behavioral science to real-world problems, including the development of digital tools like PhobiApp for anxiety reduction. His research employs advanced data analysis techniques and spans diverse populations, making significant contributions to experimental psychology, cognitive science, and public mental health. 🧪
📖Publication Top Notes
The action dynamics of approach-avoidance conflict during decision-making
Year: 2023 | Cited by: 20
The gradual extinction of transferred avoidance stimulus functions
Year: 2014 | Cited by: 20
The action dynamics of approach-avoidance conflict in decision-making: A mousetracking study
Year: 2019 | Cited by: 3
The Price of Fear: Developing a behavioural assessment of fear-related avoidance incorporating dynamic response measures
Year: 2017
The price of fear: Developing a behavioural assessment of fear
Year: 2003
✨Conclusion
Dr. Santiago Garcia-Guerrero emerges as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, bringing together a rare blend of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. With a PhD in Psychology focused on perception, cognition, and action, and advanced training from globally respected institutions such as Harvard and Stanford, he possesses a rich and interdisciplinary background. His pioneering research in behavioral science—particularly on fear-related avoidance and decision-making—leverages advanced tools like mouse-tracking and eye-tracking, with practical applications such as PhobiApp. He has a solid publication record in reputable journals and has received prestigious grants like the Hardiman Research Scholarship. Beyond academia, Dr. Garcia-Guerrero has contributed extensively to clinical psychology through work with NGOs and vulnerable populations, and demonstrated strong leadership in teaching, mentoring, and organizing scientific conferences. His integrated contributions to science, education, and community health make him exceptionally well-suited for this award. ✅