My research focuses on describing the acoustic-phonetic characteristics of dysarthria, a group of motor speech disorders. In particular, I am interested in how changes in the acoustic speech signal modulate speech intelligibility, that is, how understandable one’s speech is to a typical listener. Informed by my background in linguistics and speech acoustics, my research can broadly be categorized into three themes:
1. Understanding variable and adverse treatment effects on speech
2. Acoustic distinctiveness and its role in speech intelligibility
3. The use of technology for speech measurement and treatment
While much of my research has focused on hypokinetic dysarthria, a motor speech disorder associated with Parkinson’s disease, I am also interested in the differential speech processes in younger and older healthy adults, as well as individuals with other neurological speech disorders.
- PhD, Western University, 2019, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences (Speech and Language Sciences)
- MClSc-SLP, Western University, 2019, Communication Sciences & Disorders (combined MClSc/PhD degree program)
- BA Honours, McGill University, 2012, Linguistics
CDS 288, Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech Mechanism