People

The Oral Dynamics Lab houses a wide array of people from different backgrounds and with different interests. Use the links below to navigate the roster:

Faculty          Collaborators          Graduate Students

Research Staff          Student Researchers          ODL Alumni

Faculty

Cross appointments to
Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) and
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (TRI)
the department of psychology - UTM, Human Communication Lab

     Click here for Dr. Pascal Van Lieshout's CV (in PDF format).

Collaborators

Catriona M. Steele PhD

Janice Bennett (2003 - present)
Collaborator, Oral Dynamics Lab

I am a former teacher who re-trained in the University of Toronto’s Graduate Department of Speech Language Pathology 2002-2004.  I work as a clinical outpatient Speech Language Pathologist at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto, specializing in geriatric communication and swallowing disorders.  I also work as a non-clinical Speech Language Pathologist/Research Coordinator at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute’s Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Lab, which operates in partnership with the Oral Dynamics Lab on some projects.  I enjoy canoeing and scuba diving, 60’s music and theatre, and nagging Pascal and Aravind to have more social activities in the ODL!

During my research assistant position at ODL, I was responsible for recruitment of participants, performing initial intake sessions, assisting with data collection using Electromagnetic Midsagittal Articulography (EMMA), conducting literature reviews, and manuscript writing tasks.

Currently, I am involved with ODL as a clinical-research colloborator.

Post-doctoral fellows
	Dr. Boaz M. Ben-David, Ph.D. (2008-Present) Post-doctoral fellow, Oral Dynamics Lab, Dept of Speech-Language Pathology, joint appointment with the Toronto Rehab Institution. Adjunct Scientist and Sessional Lecturer, Department of Psychology, UTM, Human Communications Lab. Adjunct Scientist, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre. Trainee, CIHR Strategic Training Grant on Communication and Social Interaction in Healthy Aging. My research is focused on the link between basic scientific issues in the area of Perception, Attention and Emotion and their potential clinical relevance for individuals with special needs, such as older adults, patients with a traumatic brain injury, or people who stutter. I am interested in using various experimental theoretical and analytical approaches, varying from mathematical modeling, psychophysics, cognitive paradigms, neuroimaging (ERP), acoustic analysis, eye-tracking to qualitative research.
updating image file	Dave .F Ph.D. <<<<<<under construction>>>>>>>

Graduate Students

Heidi Diepstra

I am a speech - language pathologist and obtained a clinical degree in the Netherlands. After my clinical education I continued my studies in speech and language pathology and received a M.A. from the University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands. For my masters thesis I studied the effect of word length on word production in persons who stutter, using EMG and acoustic analyses. It was at the department of Speech Pathology at the Raboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, that I developed a strong interest in speech motor control. I am currently enrolled in the PhD program in the Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto, under supervision of Dr. van Lieshout. My main research interests lie in articulatory kinematics, phonological development, development of speech and oral motor control, and stretch to cognitive and motor development in humans more widely.

Anneke Slis

I studied flute and sonology at the Conservatory in Hilversum and the Royal conservatory in den Haag, the Netherlands. After I received my Bachelors degree I worked for a couple of years before I decided to return to university. In 2003 I received my master’s degree in Phonetics at the University of Utrecht. During my thesis, with was supervised by Sieb Nooteboom, I developed an interest in speech errors. I am currently enrolled in the masters program in the graduate Department of Speech Language Pathology. My research interests lie in articulatory kinematics and speech errors.

Research Staff

Tejaswi Popuri (2006 - present)
Research Assistant - Webmaster / Application Developer, Oral Dynamics Lab

Research Staff - Past

Slyvia (2000)
Volunteer Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab 

Kishore Vijayanagar (2001-2002)
Volunteer Research Assistant - 3D Animation and Computer Graphics, Oral Dynamics Lab

A guru of Maya and 3-D max animation, is currently in India and directs a 3D Animation school / studio there.

Mirela C (2002)
Volunteer Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Is currently in her PhD program  at the Linguistics department.

Trish (2002)
Volunteer Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Rebecca. W (2003)
Volunteer Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Went on to complete her Master's program  at the department of Speech-Language pathology.

Irini Shehata (2004)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Jennifer Cupit (2004)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Marnie  Hirshhorn (2000-2005)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Has the credit of being the longest surviving RA in the lab (5 years)! and has provided us with some fancy digital light displays. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Neuroscience.

Stefanie Main (2004-2005)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I worked as a Research Assistant in the Oral Dynamics Lab from Oct. 2004 to May 2005.  I assisted during speech and swallowing experiments, analyzed data using Mat lab and Praat, and occasionally trained other RA's.  I graduated from the University of Toronto in June 2005 majoring in Psychology and Linguistics.  I am currently pursuing studies to become a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Andrew Yolles (2005)
Volunteer Research Assistant and Website Designer, Oral Dynamics Lab

I volunteered at the Oral Dynamics Lab in the summer of 2005, during which time I helped out with experiments, shot some videos, and built this website. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, where I study Psychology and Philosophy.

Salwa Mohi-uddin (2005 - 2006)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I am pursuing a Clinical Masters degree Speech Language Pathology to become, you guessed it…..a Speech Language Pathologist. I joined the lab as an RA early last fall through the Work-Study program and since then have had the opportunity to get a taste of a variety of fascinating studies. Currently, I’m working on the UV measurement project and have come to love the assortment of ultra UV protective eyewear. Throw me a matching handbag and I’m ready to go!

Pamela Rahn (2004 - 2005)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Salima Jiwani (2005-2006) 
Research Assistant - Oral Dynamics Lab

(Moved to University of Dalhousie to pursue her Masters in Audiology)

As a worldly person, having lived in Rwanda, Belgium and Canada, my career aspirations led me to a life of passion in research. In my work time, you’re most likely to find me working with EMMA at ODL or glued to my computer trying to come up with new research topics to investigate. Though I am a lab rat, I love the outdoors, the adventure, and I love people! ;o)When I’m not dreaming about traveling the world, you can always expect to find me gliding, climbing, hiking, or simply enjoying nature!

Mitsuko Takeuchi  (2005 - 2006)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I completed my M.H.Sc in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto in 2005 and have been working for the ODL since October, 2005. My work at ODL involved intakes, data analysis, and assisting EMMA sessions. I enjoyed learning about Pascal's work in speech science and swallowing in addition to the convivial atmosphere at the lab.

Hiral Patel (2005 - 2006)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Sirad Shirdon (2006)
Volunteer Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I graduated from the University of Toronto in 2005 with an H. BA in History. My work at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute steered me to the fascinating field of Speech Language Pathology. I’ll be applying to the Masters program in Speech Language Pathology for 2007. Initially, I was set on becoming a clinician but I’m hoping my time at Oral Dynamics Lab will expose me to the research and innovations happening in the field.

Marissa Galacgac  (2006 - 2007)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I’m currently a grad student pursuing a clinical master’s degree in speech-language pathology. I’ve only worked in this lab for a little while, but already, I’ve been introduced to some exciting studies, assisted with a few experiments, and worked with some interesting equipment like the Electromyography (EMG) and the Electromagnetic Midsagittal Articulograph (EMMA). With access to state-of-the-art technology and a wealth of knowledge and experience from a talented research team, I know I can look forward to an enriching learning experience this year.

Matt Craig (2005-2006)
Research Assistant - Computer Programming,  Oral Dynamics Lab

Erin Yeates  (2006)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

Although I'm working on my "non-academic" clinical degree in speech-language pathology, a certain love of research and motor speech has led me to work as an RA in the Oral Dynamics Lab. I am currently helping out with a project on oral motor control in infants, and I have in the past been strapped into the EMMA (twice! not SO bad) for other projects. In the future I hope to work with adults in communication and swallowing.
(PS: That's a snail in my hand at Science North!)

Shira Stein (2007)
Volunteer Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I graduated from Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario in June 2007 with my Honours BA in Psychology. My studies of developmental psychology, as well as my work experience with children with learning disabilities, led me towards the field of speech pathology, and I will be applying for the clinical Master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology this year. In the meantime, I am gaining research experience in the ODL by helping out with studies about oral motor function across different age groups.

Mark Noseworthy (2006 - 2008)
Research Assistant, Oral Dynamics Lab

I graduated from University of Toronto in June 2006 with an HBa in Linguistics (with minors in English and Latin). Currently, I am a graduate student in the Department of Linguistics. My department is related to the Department of Speech-Language Pathology in terms of research (but not in terms of administration). I am doing the first and only year of my Master's Degree. For my thesis, I will be writing on Old English phonology and dialectology. My experience here in the ODL will be very different from the experience I get in the Department of Linguistics, where most of my work is pure theory. It is very nice to see the other side - how academia helps living people.

Student Researchers

Naoshi Hosomura

Conducted an Electromyography study of the use of the orbicularis oris and levator labii superioris muscles in the production of /w/ in Japanese and English. 

Elizabeth Tran
2004 - 2005

Wassim Moussa
2000

Pao-Chuan Torng
Ph.D., University of Illinois
2000

Currenlty a Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Disorders & Sciences (SHDS), National Taipei College of Nursing (NTCN), Taiwan.

Tara Vongpaisal
2005

ODL Alumni

Arpita Bose
Graduated with Ph.D. in 2004

Catriona M. Steele
Graduated with Ph.D. in 2003 

Denise On-Yee Leung
Graduated with M.Sc. in 2004

Matt Craig
Graduated with M.Sc. in 2005