Journal of Speech Pathology & Therapy
Open Access

RITA PATEL

Biography

Dr. Rita Patel has completed her Bachelor of Science (Audiology and Speech Rehabilitation), Master of Science (Speech Language Pathology & Audiology) from University of Mumbai and Ph.D. (Speech Pathology) from University of Wisconsin Madison.She has published more than 20 articles.

Research Interest

Dr. Patel’s broad areas of research interests include vocal physiology and voice production in normal and disordered voice across the lifespan. More specifically, Dr. Patel is interested in pediatric vocal development and identification of physiological factors of laryngeal function that underlie severely disturbed voice qualities. Within the framework of pediatric vocal development Dr. Patel aims are to lay the foundation for development of biomechanical modeling and assessment tools to identify children at risk of developing voice disorders by establishing physiological biomarkers of the unique vibratory features observed with high speed digital imaging. The other research area that interests Dr. Patel relates to the pathophysiology of hoarseness resulting from severe voice disturbances, spasmodic dysphonia, for example. Here the goal is to investigate vibratory kinematics and disturbances of muscle activity, to understand the clinical pathophysiology of spasmodic dysphonia. The outcome from the above research areas, directly relates to clinical assessment for children with voice disorders and adults with spasmodic dysphonia. Current funding for this research is supported by the National Institute of Health (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders), American Speech-Language and Hearing Foundation, and the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association.