Kathryn Connaghan, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Research Scientist
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Email: k.connaghan@neu.edu
Research Interests:
• Prosody in motor speech disorders
• Dysarthria secondary to cerebral palsy and Down syndrome
• The interaction between prosody and speech intelligibility
Background:
Dr. Connaghan’s research interests focus on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the underlying nature of motor speech disorders in both children and adults. She is particularly interested in the role of prosody in motor speech disorders, and the contribution of prosodic modulation to improved intelligibility of speech. Her research questions have been shaped by her experience as a speech-language pathologist, with the aim of gaining a better understanding of speech motor control and its disruption to provide a foundation for efficacious interventions.
Dr. Connaghan's work is currently supported by the ASHFoundation 2013 New Century Scholars Research grant for the project entitled "Prosodic Categories in Speakers with Dysarthria Due to Cerebral Palsy". She is also the Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation's 2013 Ethel and Jack Hausman Clinical Research Scholar Awardee. This award provides multi-year support for the research project “Prosodic Differences and Their Impact on Speech Intelligibility in Cerebral Palsy”, as well as support for career development as a clinical researcher of cerebral palsy.
