KINGSTON, R.I. – July 1, 2025 – University of Rhode Island Assistant Professor Sammy Ahmed is ranked among the top scholars in the world in the study of executive functions, which are a set of cognitive processes that support goal-directed behavior by regulating thoughts and actions through cognitive control.

The rankings were calculated and announced by ScholarGPS. The company categorizes those whose scholarly contributions rank them within the top .5% of all scholars worldwide. Ahmed qualified for the distinction for 2024, based on his research performance over the previous five years.

“It’s exciting to be recognized as a top scholar,” said Ahmed. “I’m proud to have contributed to the understanding of executive functions.”  

ScholarGPS calculates rankings by quantifying research productivity, impact, and quality of research by applying artificial intelligence, data mining, machine learning, and other data science techniques to its database of more than 30 million scholar profiles and 120,000 institutional profiles worldwide.

“We are thrilled to see Dr. Sammy Ahmed recognized as a top scholar based on his expertise in executive function and children,” said Skye Leedahl, professor and chair of URI’s Human Development and Family Science Department. “His innovative research and deep commitment to understanding the complexities of early childhood have already made a significant impact in the field. Dr. Ahmed brings exceptional insight and passion to both his scholarship and teaching, and we are proud to have him as a vital part of our department.” 

Ahmed always been curious about the mechanisms that support human learning and behavior, when they emerge, and the role experiences play in shaping their development.

“In our Applied Cognitive Development Lab, we’ve found that executive functions play an important role in how humans control their thoughts and behavior, plan for the future, and problem solve across a variety of different settings,” said Ahmed. “Importantly, we find that the development of executive functions during early childhood is related to a host of important adult outcomes in the areas of education, employment and financial well-being, mental and physical health, substance use and addiction, and even criminal behavior.”

Ahmed is particularly interested in the timing of executive function development and understanding which types of experiences can help promote the development of these skills.

“Our research has shown that executive functions undergo rapid growth during early childhood and again during adolescence, similar to observed patterns of human brain development,” said Ahmed. “We also find that stimulating home and school environments, as well as positive relationships with peers and adults can promote the development of executive function, particularly during early childhood.”

Ahmed has received funding from the American Educational Research Association and the National Science Foundation to study the long-term effects of a preschool intervention designed to promote children’s executive function skills through curricular enhancements and teacher training programs. The project is in collaboration with the HighScope Educational Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on promoting the learning and development of young children, with a strong emphasis on early childhood education.  

“I’ve really enjoyed our partnership with HighScope and I’m looking forward to continuing to study the ways we can improve public preschools and design educational programs that can promote children’s executive function skills,” said Ahmed.