Bio
I received my Master’s degree in speech language pathology from Purdue University in 2008. I then completed my Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) at Indiana University Health – Arnett Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. Following the completion of my Master’s degree, I remained at Purdue and received my PhD in 2012 in laryngeal physiology with M. Preeti Sivasankar, PhD. I then completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the laboratory of Susan L. Thibeault, PhD studying vocal fold biology.
I joined the Stanford faculty in 2014 as an Assistant Professor. My clinical interests include the evaluation and treatment of patients with voice, resonance, airway, and swallowing disorders.
My overarching research goal is to use techniques from the basic sciences and human clinical sciences to improve the prevention and management of voice disorders. My research program is directed at improving our understanding of the biologic barriers essential to vocal fold health. Specifically, I investigate how external factors implicated in the development of voice disorders, such as inhaled pollutants, bacteria, and viruses, compromise the function of the vocal fold epithelial and mucus barriers and how these changes may influence voice production. I am also interested in clinical and quality of life outcomes in patients with voice disorders undergoing surgical or behavioral interventions. My ultimate aim is to utilize my research findings to develop novel interventions to prevent and manage voice disorders.
Academic Appointments
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Assistant Professor - Med Center Line, Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Divisions
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Assistant Professor - Med Center Line (By courtesy), Music
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Member, Bio-X
Honors & Awards
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New Investigator Research Grant, American-Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (2015)
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The Fall Voice Conference Travel Grant, National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (2015)
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National Institutes of Health Extramural Loan Repayment Award for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health (2013-)
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Meritorious Poster Submission, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2012)
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Third Place Poster Award, American Laryngological Society (2012)
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Alumni and Friends Award, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University (2010)
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New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarship, American-Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (2010)
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Wilson Travel Scholarship, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University (2010)
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Student Research Travel Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2009)
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Frederick N. Andrews Fellowship, Purdue Graduate School (2008)
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Outstanding Student Clinician in Speech-Language Pathology, Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (2008)
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Travel Grant, Purdue Graduate Student Government (2008)
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Outstanding Student Clinician in Speech-Language Pathology, Indiana Lion’s Club (2007)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Member, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) (2010 - Present)
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Member, ASHA, Special Interest Group - 3: Voice and Voice Disorders (2010 - Present)
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Member, ASHA, Special Interest Group - 13: Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (2014 - Present)
Professional Education
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Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Vocal Fold Biology (2014)
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Ph.D., Purdue University, Vocal Fold Physiology (2012)
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M.S., Purdue University, Speech Language Pathology (2008)
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B.S., Purdue University, Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences (2006)