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Chartered Psychologist | Former Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology

Principal Consultant - The ÅrtikC

“Empowering minds. Advancing systems. Bridging science, ethics, and global collaboration for a better world.”

Muniarajan is a psychologist and academic whose expertise lies at the intersection of psychological science, digital innovation, higher education internationalization, and strategic well-being. He founded The ÅrtikC with his brothers Steve Daniel Mayo and Thomas Lee Mayo with a bold mission.

He is a Chartered Psychologist and Chartered Scientist holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specializations in psychophysiology and neuropsychology from the University of Wuppertal, Germany. His academic foundation also includes a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Psychology, as well as postgraduate diplomas in Human Resource Management and Guidance & Counselling.

With more than a decade of international experience across Sweden, Germany, Norway, Colombia, Turkey, and beyond, he has served as Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology (2019 - 2023) at Mid Sweden University (Public University), Sweden and as Assistant Professor at Istanbul Kemerburgaz University (Currently Altinbas University), Turkey. He taught several clinical and interdisciplinary courses at UG and PG levels, known for leading large, diverse cohorts with clarity and cultural sensitivity with scholarly precision, intercultural fluency, and inclusive pedagogy. He has contributed to research on sleep and neurocognition in schizophrenia, childhood maltreatment, and PTSD, and remains actively involved in global initiatives on traumatic stress.

He has been instrumental in initiating and securing 199+ international partnerships (across disciplines “9 Faculties and 24 departments” from Medicine, Engineering, Law to Fine Arts) across 107 institutions mostly renowned—making a impact on the global academic landscape.

His unmatched dedication to fostering global expertise is exemplified by the high-level academic summits and expert talks he personally invited, organized and curated. These prestigious engagements featured 21 world-renowned scientists, including:

Prof. Dr. James J. Gross – Emotion Regulation | Stanford University
Prof. Dr. Joseph LeDoux – Neuroscience of Fear | New York University
Prof. Dr. Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD – Alzheimer’s Disease | University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Prof. Dr. Carol Ryff – Well-Being & Health | University of Wisconsin
Dr. Robert R. McCrae – Five-Factor Theory | National Institute of Health, USA
Prof. Dr. William T. Carpenter, MD – Schizophrenia | University of Maryland
Prof. Dr. Lisa M. Shin – PTSD & Neuroimaging | Tufts University
Prof. Dr. James A. Russell – Emotion Science | Boston College
Prof. Dr. Robert L. Trestman, MD – Personality Disorders | Virginia Tech
Prof. Dr. Alice H. Eagly – Gender Stereotypes | Northwestern University
Prof. Dr. David C. Funder – Personality Judgment | University of California, Riverside
Prof. Dr. Richard E. Petty – Attitudes & Persuasion | Ohio State University
Prof. Dr. John D. Mayer – People-Centered Intelligences | University of New Hampshire
Prof. Dr. Steven Taylor – Psychology of Pandemics | University of British Columbia
Prof. Dr. Lewis R. Goldberg – Personality Psychology | University of Oregon
Prof. Dr. Randy J. Larsen – Extraversion Psychology | Washington University
Prof. Dr. Angela Di Gregorio – Political Science | University of Milan
Prof. Dr. Evelin Witruk – Dyslexia & Neuropsychology | University of Leipzig
Prof. Dr. Shoji Itakura – Baby Science & Cognition | Kyoto University, Japan
Prof. Dr. Virginia Slaughter – Theory of Mind | University of Queensland
Prof. Dr. Rosa Maria – Pedagogical Innovations | Visiting Professor at Harvard University

Note: Talks 1–16 were organized during his tenure at Mid Sweden University; Talks 17–21 during his tenure at Istanbul Kemerburgaz University (now Altınbaş University). Complete details are in the PDF.

These events enriched the academic environment of universities and research institutions globally and continue to shape thought leadership in education, psychology, and global development.

In the business arena, he has a proven track record of integrating academic excellence with consulting strategy. His past early career roles include scientific and medical writing in Germany, business management, and executive advisory. As the scientific force behind The ÅrtikC, he has conceptualized and operationalized a pilot-first, impact-oriented model that bridges global advisory with scalable innovation. His expertise in ISO quality systems, data science, and strategic resilience informs the consulting excellence at the core of The ÅrtikC.

He is also a passionate advocate for mental health equity and digital outreach. Through The ÅrtikC’s complimentary community services, he leads public education programs in mental health awareness, sleep wellness, and post-disaster peer support—making mental health awareness accessible to all.

Education, Accreditations & Affiliations

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (2012) – Department of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, University of Wuppertal, Germany (Doctoral advisors: Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sartory & Prof. Dr. Reinhard Pietrowsky) (Doctoral thesis: "Sleep and Problem Solving in Patients with Schizophrenia" Link: https://elekpub.bib.uni-wuppertal.de/ubwhsmig/content/titleinfo/3553451
M.Sc. in Psychology (2008) - Bharathiar University (Thesis: “Study of Quality of Life, Medical Health and Coping In Schizophrenics”) (Advisor: Prof. S. Balakrishnan, Professor - Madras Medical College & Government General Hospital and Sri Ramachandra Medical College)
B.Sc. in Psychology (2006) - University of Madras
Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (PGDHRM) (2008) - Pondicherry University
Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counseling (PGDGC) (2007) - Annamalai University
Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) (Reg: 253893) – The British Psychological Society (UK)
Chartered Scientist (CSci) (Reg: BPS/118/253893) – The Science Council (UK)
Associate Fellow (AFBPsS) – The British Psychological Society (UK)
Member – The Australian Psychological Society (Reg: 183081), The Singapore Psychological Society (Reg: FM017006M), American Psychological Association (APA No. 6037-1374)(2005–2008), Association of German Professional Psychologists, Germany (Full Member - Reg: 54529) (2013 -2016), Schizophrenia Society of Canada, International Association For Youth Mental Health Australia, International Early Psychosis Association, Australia, International Society of Critical Health Psychology, New Zealand, International Society for Evidenced-Based Healthcare, Australia, The Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Australia

Invited Talks

• "Neurocognition and polysomnographic features in patients with schizophrenia" (Invited by Prof. Dr. med. Alfons Schnitzler – Neurologist), Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Centre for Movement Disorders and Neuromodulation, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany

• "Sleep and neurocognition" (IKBU – Department of Psychology)

Free Workshops and Training Programs Offered

• Psychological well-being in workplace
• Positive mental health for physical wellbeing
• Mental health first aid
• Cardiovascular fitness and psychological health
• Sleep hygiene, immunity, and promotive mental health
• Chronic diseases, psychological coping, and self-management strategies
• Improving personal confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness at work
• Coping with parental and familial mental illness
• Prevention of depression and depressive symptomatology
• Pre-employment mental health assessment
• Preventive drug addiction

🏛 Reflections from Global Academic Journey

“Dr. Ramakrishnan possesses a rare combination of global strategic insight, academic diplomacy, and unwavering ethical integrity. He doesn’t merely build partnerships—he builds trust, across institutions, cultures, and continents.”
— Prof. Dr. Randy J. Larsen, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, USA

“Dr. Muniarajan Ramakrishnan’s contributions in the area of international academic cooperation are priceless.
He successfully arranged and finalized dozens of academic contacts and collaborations across the world—efforts that have elevated our institutional standing on the global map.”
— Prof. Dr. Kaan H. Ökten, Former Dean & Vice President, Istanbul Kemerburgaz University

“In a remarkably short time, Dr. Ramakrishnan secured numerous international academic agreements—with some of the world’s most prestigious universities.
His work has made a significant, lasting impact on our university’s global learning environment.”
— Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kuru, Former Vice-President, Istanbul Kemerburgaz University & Vice Rector of Beykoz University

“Mr. Ramakrishnan made hundreds of agreements with the most reputed universities in the world.
Even though the initiative was technically very challenging, he surmounted all the obstacles and completed his work—which attests to his hard work, insight, and outstanding skills.”
— Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Üçtuğ, Former President, Atılım University & Founding President, Istanbul Kemerburgaz University

“Dr. Ramakrishnan worked with calm focus, quiet discipline, and unwavering reliability. His thoughtful presence and scientific integrity made him a pleasure to work with—both professionally and personally.”
— PD Dr. Karin Elsesser, Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist, University of Wuppertal & St. Josef Hospital, Clinic of Pain Medicine, Germany

“Dr. Ramakrishnan has been our major contact person for finding Erasmus Partnerships all around Europe.
He is dependable, reliable, hard-working, and courteous. His motivation and persistence in the face of challenges are exceptional.”
— Prof. Dr. Aylin Ilden Kockar, Founding Chair, Department of Psychology, Istanbul Kemerburgaz University

“Bridging disciplines, cultures, and people, his work is guided by clarity, care, and a deep sense of purpose rarely found.”
— Prof. Dr. Ed Diener, University of Illinois, University of Virginia & University of Utah

“Mr. Ramakrishnan is highly original in thought, meticulous in preparation, and deeply committed to academic inquiry. Among the many I have mentored, he stands out as one of the finest—demonstrating analytical depth, initiative, and integrity in every aspect of his work.”
— Prof. S. Balakrishnan, Professor (Retd) - Madras Medical College & Government General Hospital, Sri Ramachandra Medical College

“In my long academic career, I have encountered few with the depth of clarity, discipline, and originality that Ramakrishnan brings to his work. His scientific temperament, analytic precision, and calm integrity mark him as a rare contributor to serious inquiry—across psychology, statistics, and interdisciplinary research.”

— Mr. Srinivasan, Lecturer in Statistics & Demography (Retd), Institute of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Statistician (Retd), Central Research Center & Liver Clinic, Madras Medical College & Research Institute

“Dr. Ramakrishnan combines scientific depth, analytical precision, and quiet collegial strength. His ability to navigate complex, abstract problems with clarity and care marked him as a truly exceptional contributor to our academic group.”
— Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sartory, Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology, University of Wuppertal, Germany

Editorial Appointment

Editor, Journal of Management and Business: Research and Practice (EISSN 1339-9381), published by the Faculty of Management and Business, University of Prešov, Slovakia.

Selected Papers

• Haim-Nachum, S., Sopp, M. R., Lüönd, A. M., et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment is linked to larger preferred interpersonal distances towards friends and strangers across the globe. Translational Psychiatry, 14, 339. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-02980-2

• Fares-Otero, N. E., Sharp, T. H., Karthikeyan, S., Balle, S. R., Quaatz, S. M., Vieta, E., … Halligan, S. L. (2024). Social support and (complex) posttraumatic stress symptom severity: does gender matter? European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2398921

• Pfaltz, M. C., Halligan, S. L., Haim-Nachum, S., Sopp, M. R., Åhs, F., Bachem, R., Bartoli, E., Belete, H., Belete, T., Berzengi, A., Dukes, D., Essadek, A., Iqbal, N., Jobson, L., Langevin, R., Levy-Gigi, E., Lüönd, A. M., Martin-Soelch, C., Michael, T., . . . Seedat, S. (2022). Social functioning in individuals affected by childhood maltreatment: Establishing a research agenda to inform interventions. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 91(4), 238–251. https://doi.org/10.1159/000523667

• Ramakrishnan, M. Sleep and problem solving in schizophrenia (e.bibliothek Universität Wuppertal, Germany). ePublications, Universitätsbibliothek Wuppertal. https://elekpub.bib.uni-wuppertal.de/ubwhsmig/content/titleinfo/3553451

• Ramakrishnan, M., Sartory, G., van Beekum, A., Lohrmann, T., & Pietrowsky, R. Sleep-related cognitive function and the K-complex in schizophrenia. Behavioural Brain Research, 234(2), 161–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2012.06.019

Courses Taught During Academic Appointments

Over the course of my academic engagements, I have had the privilege of teaching and co-teaching an extensive range of courses that span the breadth and depth of psychological science, encompassing psychopathology and psychiatry, clinical psychology, biological psychology and psychophysiology, as well as evidence-based psychological treatment and psychotherapy. My teaching has also extended to research methods and statistics, sensation and perception, personality psychology, social psychology, and health psychology and behavioural medicine.

At the master and advanced levels, I have delivered and co-delivered courses in affective neuroscience and psychophysiology, emotion and psychopathology, biology of emotions, and emotion and cognition. This work has been complemented by multiple tiers of research methods and advanced statistics in emotion psychology, alongside focused explorations of emotion in work, health, and theoretical frameworks.

Additionally, I have taught and co-taught clinical neuropsychology, psychopathology case seminars, the biology of psychological disorders, cognitive psychology, clinical health psychology, neuropsychological assessment, and the biological basis of behavior. My portfolio also includes rehabilitation psychology, rules and ethics in psychology, introductory psychology for medical students, general psychology I and II, cross-cultural psychology, and the history of psychology.

In parallel to engaging with established curricula, I have designed and introduced new courses on the biology of psychological disorders, psychophysiology, and rehabilitation psychology — each thoughtfully crafted to bridge rigorous scientific inquiry with meaningful clinical and societal impact.

✦ Reflections from Students:

Master Program in Emotion Psychology

Course on Emotion and Psychopathology

“Thank you for being a fellow human being and great ‘teacher’/mentor, and for your supporting words! I really appreciate that.”
— (25th March 2021)
“Thanks a lot for a very interesting course and your commitment, I think it has been inspiring and motivating with your advice and with your focus on future research - it's much appreciated! Keep up the excellent work and good to know we can get in touch with you.”
— (26th March 2021)
“You are an inspiration by the way you lead your courses.”
— (27th March 2021)
“I just want to thank you once again for allowing me take part in these very interesting talks. I am very thankful for that. I think your initiative is great and we need new approaches to learning within the academics. Innovation is good and you are taking advantage of the technological means to bring the world closer and encourage us to dialog.”
— (08th April 2021)
“Rajan was incredibly supportive, encouraging, and kind to all students. His pedagogical approach ensured a nurturing, positive learning environment where everyone felt seen and valued. It was an amazing course—I’ll be forever grateful.”
— (08th April 2021)

Course on Emotion and Health

“Inspiring teacher. Rajan brought in experts and exciting articles to create a vibrant learning environment. His approach kept motivation high.”
— (17th June 2022)
“I am incredibly thankful for the pedagogical approach and Rajan’s way of teaching. Knowledge have been provided to all in a very open way where we have all been given the opportunity and responsibility to discover the area ‘Emotion and Health’. During seminars we have been given an open climate to discuss and everyone has been treated equally and given the same opportunity to learn and express.”
— (17th June 2022)
“The teacher was very engaged and responsive which I appreciated very much. I also think that the practice of writing a research proposal was very beneficial for the future. I like that Rajan shared many resources with the class. I really enjoyed this course.”
— (June 2022)
“I believe you have made a huge impact on all of the students in this group. Thank you for all knowledge you have shared in this course and for the open and always welcoming climate that you created during seminars. I really appreciate we have had the opportunity to learn.”
— (June 2022)
“Thank you so much Rajan, you truly one of the most compassionate teachers I've ever come across, I hope always stay like this, the academic world needs more kind and compassionate teachers.”
— (03rd June 2022)
“I wish to have you as my teacher again in the future.”
— (03rd June 2022)

Bachelor Program in Psychology

Perception Course

“First off I want to thank you for your work in the perception course, and tell you that we all are very fond of you. I can feel your trust in us and I appreciate your commitment.”
— (14th January 2021)
“I want to thank you for your commitment and for always being supportive and genuinely wanting us to learn.”
— (18th January 2021)

Community Outreach Activities

June 2003 – December 2009:

Created and moderated communities like psychologist community, psychology student’s community, world mental health community, clinical psychology, mental health help and 20 other communities related to mental health and healthcare field which had strength of 25,500+ national and international members. Vast number of topics are discussed in all these communities. Networked 13,500 psychology students, psychologists, academics, professors, and experts.
Organized and conducted awareness programs to various SES groups and students (mental health awareness, dispelling myths of mental illness, child abuse and drug addiction awareness programs).
Assisted students with career research and exploration activities. Provided students with information and decision-making strategies related to major and career choices. Administered career counseling to various student groups and prepared and given handouts and career planner and HS study plan.
Assisted psychology students by addressing their enquiries by mails, giving career information, networking, and knowledge sharing.

Detailed list of expert talks.pdf

The ÅrtikC