Alfred Saatchi, PhD, RN, PCCN
Assistant Professor, The Valley Foundation School of Nursing
Founding Director, Emotional Health Lab (EHL)
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing Science, University of California, Irvine, 2025
- Master of Science, Psychiatric Nursing, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2019
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, 2015
Bio
Babak (Alfred) Saatchi, PhD, RN, PCCN, is an Assistant Professor at The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San José State University, where he directs the Emotional Health Lab (EHL). His research program broadly focuses on understanding and addressing mental health challenges in college students and young adults, with particular emphasis on irritability, emotion dysregulation, and mental health disparities in college populations.
Dr. Saatchi received his PhD in Nursing Science from the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing at University of California, Irvine, where his dissertation examined trait and state irritability in college-attending young adults. He holds MSN in Psychiatric Nursing from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and BSN from Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. His scholarly work encompasses AI-driven approaches in psychiatric nursing practice, education, and research, as well as mindfulness-based interventions and teaching innovations in health sciences.
His research has been published in leading psychiatric/mental health nursing journals, including International Journal of Mental Health Nursing and the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. Dr. Saatchi has developed expertise in concept analysis and measurement of psychological constructs, with peer-reviewed publications examining irritability as a substantial psychological construct and its assessment in young adults. He recently received the College Unrestricted Research Fund (CURF) grant award from San José State University to conduct a review study on adopting AI in health sciences.
He serves as the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Content Expert for SJSU School of Nursing and also serves on multiple university committees, including the Student Health Advisory Committee at SJSU Student Wellness Center and the CHHS Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (RSCA) Advisory Committee.
Beyond his professional work, Dr. Saatchi is a strong advocate for meditation and mindfulness in daily life. He is passionate about exploring nature through hiking and outdoor activities, viewing these as essential practices for personal well-being and connection to the natural world.