Meet the Team

Oana David, Ph.D. is Professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, at Babes-Bolyai University, Director of the Babes-Bolyai-PsyTech Psychology Clinic and the DATA Lab. She has received the Ph.D. from BBU in 2011 with a thesis focused on evidence-based parenting programs for reducing child disruptive disorders. Her research is focused on the efficacy of technology based tools for the prevention of emotional disorders in youths and stress management in adults. She was awarded four major research grants, based on which she developed the following therapeutic technology based tools: the REThink therapeutic game, the PsyPills app for stress management, the online Rational and Positive Parenting Program and the roboRETman therapeutic mechatronic device for coaching emotion skills in children. She is clinical psychologist and an accredited practitioner and supervisor in CBT, member of the European Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, founding president of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching, and international board member of the International Centre for Coaching Psychology Research, UK. She is also chief editor of the Journal Evidence-Based Psychotherapies, and member in the editorial board of the Journal of Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies.CV Oana David, Ph. D.

Cristina Tomoiagă is key assistant researcher in the REThink Emotions project. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research is focused on the efficacy of online interventions using cognitive-behavioral coaching on different types of outcomes, as well as the mechanisms of change in this process. She is a CBT practitioner and professional experience includes soft skills and technical trainings, coaching and e-learning platforms and tools. She is also a member of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching.

Iuga Ioana Alexandra has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. She is an intern at PsyTech University Clinic and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology – STAR-UBB.  Her research interests focus on school burnout and the influence of parental expectations on children’s academic stress.

Simona Miron is currently a clinical psychologist at the PsyTech University Clinic and a doctoral student at the Doctoral School of Psychodiagnostics and Scientifically Validated Psychological Interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She completed her undergraduate program with a specialization in Forensic Psychology at Tilburg University and her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Psychological Counseling, and Psychotherapy at Babes-Bolyai University. Her main research interests focus on the development of disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents and their connection to juvenile delinquency, as well as effective therapy for individuals with personality disorders and aggressive behaviors within couple relationships.

Silviu Matu is a senior assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, at Babeș-Bolyai University, and a researcher on the PSYTECH-MATRIX Platform for Robotherapy and Virtual Reality Therapy, also at Babes-Bolyai University. His main research interests are related to emotion regulation and the integration of psychology and technology in order to promote mental health. Silviu has worked as a researcher in several projects on these topics, including the the “REThink” project and the “DREAM” project, financed by the European Commission in the 7th Framework Programme, grant agreement no. 611391, focusing on developing an intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder by using therapeutic social robots (https://dream2020.github.io/DREAM/).

Roxana Cardos, Ph.D. is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and Clinical Psychologist at the PsyTech University Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. Dr. Cardos was involved as a key researcher in the REThink project. Dr. Cardos’s publications are related to technology-based therapy: Sucala, M., Cuijpers, P., Muench, F., Cardos, R., Soflau, R., Dobrean, A., Achimas-Cadariu, P., & David, D. (2017). Anxiety: There is an app for that. A systematic review of anxiety apps. Depression and Anxiety: The official journal of ADAA, 34(6), 518-525. David, O. A. & Predatu, R. & Cardos, R. (2018). A pilot study of the REThink online video game applied for coaching emotional understanding in children and adolescents in the therapeutic video game environment: The Feeling Better resources game. Journal of Evidence-Based Psychotherapies. 18. 57-68. 10.24193/jebp.2018.1.5. Cardos, R. A. I., David, O. A., David, O. D. (2017). Virtual reality exposure therapy in flight anxiety: A quantitative meta-analysis, Computers in Human Behavior, 72, 371-380. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.03.007.

Liviu-Andrei Fodor is a research assistant at the DATA Lab within the International Institute for the Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Applied Mental Health and a doctoral student at the “Psychodiagnostics and scientifically validated psychological interventions” Doctoral School. He has a degree in psychology and graduated with a master’s degree in “Clinical psychology, psychological counseling and psychotherapy”, both at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. His main research interests include meta-research procedures and advanced research methods for evaluating the efficiency / effectiveness of technologically augmented psychological interventions (e.g. virtual reality, PC and mobile platforms) in the treatment of mental disorders.

Sorin Stan is the Chief Strategy Officer at Softvision and, over the past 11 years, has been involved in numerous activities that have contributed to the company’s growth (over 1,200 specialists) and the delivery of high-quality products to key clients in Europe and the United States. Being both a technical person and people-oriented, he is always eager to learn more and share his knowledge with others. Sorin has over 15 years of experience in IT and holds a Master’s degree in Automation and Computer Science from UBB in Cluj, as well as an MBA from the Romanian-Canadian Program.

Renata Gheorghiu is currently a Ph.D student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her main research interests are using digital interventions in clinical populations, with a focus on bipolar disorder, and various predictors associated with the disorder.

Georgiana M. Roșca is a cognitive-behavioral psychologist and trainer. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research interest aims at investigating parent child factors and effective and immediate parenting strategies used in children’s compliance and their adequate development on the long term. Her work experience focused on child psychology. Also, she is part of the International Association of Cognitive Behavioral Coaching team.

Doris Pop has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research interests focus on investigating personal values, major life events, the stability and change of personal values over the life course. In private practice, she is a clinical psychologist, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist in supervision and cognitive-behavioral coach. She is also an ANC accredited trainer.

Vasile Sîrbu is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. He is licensed in psychology and graduated from the Master of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the West University of Timisoara. His main research interests now focus on the scientific validation of mobile psychological interventions and the investigation of the mechanisms of change behind them in reducing the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Vlad Mărghitaș has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, works as a clinical psychologist in supervision with a focus on addiction treatment and is currently a Ph.D. Student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. His research interests include studying the role of altered states of consciousness in the process of therapeutic change, focusing on various behavioral sources of mystical experience, such as religious participation, meditation and mindfulness or exposure to emotionally salient artistic or musical stimuli.

Eliza Atudosie has a degree in clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a Ph.D. student at the Evidence-Based Psychological Assessment and Interventions Doctoral School, Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca. Her research interests focus on technology based psychological interventions and the investigation of the mechanisms behind them in reducing anxiety and stress among students and young adults. In private practice, she is a clinical psychologist and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist in supervision.

Denisa Mălan is currently a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Psychodiagnostics and Scientifically Validated Psychological Interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She completed her undergraduate program with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, and earned her master’s degrees in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development, as well as Complex Data Analysis, at Babeș-Bolyai University. Her main research interests focus on the effectiveness of digital interventions compared to traditional therapy in improving mental health.

Georgiana-Sorina Modog studied clinical psychology and psychotherapy and is currently a student at the Doctoral School of Psychodiagnostics and Scientifically Validated Psychological Interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She is also an intern at the PsyTech University Clinic. Her research interests focus on digital psychological interventions and investigating the mechanisms behind them in reducing academic burnout among students.

Diana Condrea is a Ph.D. student at the Doctoral School of Psychodiagnostics and Scientifically Validated Psychological Interventions at Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. She holds a degree in psychology and has completed a master’s program in Psychological Techniques for Behavior Control and Human Potential Development. Her main research interests focus on the interaction between positive and aversive childhood experiences and their role in the development of psychopathology, with an emphasis on anxiety and depression.

Dariana Paraschiv is currently studying Psychology at “Babes-Bolyai” University in Cluj-Napoca. Psychology became her passion after reading books about consciousness, feelings and personality traits. Her research interests focus on neuroscience, personality disorders and preventing mental illness among teenagers

Alexandra-Mihaela Bârsan is currently studying Psychology at “Babes-Bolyiai” University in Cluj-Napoca. Psychology has been a toping of interest since highschool. In the future she would like to work as a psychotherapist and researcher in the prevention of mental health disorders and how to treat them.

Tania Vezure is a student of psychology, in the Cadrul Universității “Babeș-Bolyai” in Cluj-Napoca. Her interests include integrative psychotherapy and cultural and parental influences on cognitive development.

Miruna Turcu is currently studying Psychology at Babes-Bolyai university, in her final year. Her interests include: the effects of technology on mental health and overall wellbeing, especially Internet Gaming Disorder (and video games overall).

Alex Profir is currently studying Psychology-Cognitive Science at “Babes-Bolyiai” University in Cluj-Napoca. His main interest is cognitive neuroscience and in the future, he would like to work in this field.

Larisa Armășoiu is currently studying Psychology at “Babes-Bolyiai” University in Cluj-Napoca. Psychology and art are her main passions and she is always willing to learn from any experience so that in the end she can also share further.

Monica Pop is currently studying Psychology-Cognitive Science at “Babes-Bolyiai” University in Cluj-Napoca. In the future, she would like to work as a researcher in the the prevention of mental health disorders in children and adolescents.