Associate Professor Dr. Fonny Dameaty Hutagalung is a renowned scholar in Educational Psychology, with a specialized focus on Early Childhood Education Psychology. Based in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, she holds a PhD in Psychology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Her expertise lies in the psychological development of children aged 0–8, including socio-emotional learning, cognitive ability, and behavioural support in early childhood settings. As Programme Coordinator for both Bachelor and Master of Early Childhood Education since 2012, Dr. Fonny has led curriculum reforms that integrate child psychology into teacher training. She has supervised over 70 postgraduate students and published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, with an H-index of 7. She has secured over RM531,000 in research funding, focusing on emotional intelligence in early educators, trauma-informed learning, and psychological interventions for vulnerable children. Her national and international contributions include policy consultation, keynote speaking, and cross-border research collaborations. She also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Malaysian Online Journal of Psychology and Counselling. Dr. Fonny’s work bridges academic research and practical application, championing psychologically responsive approaches in early education that support children's development and well-being.