Kendrea L. Garand

Kendrea L. Garand is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She is a board-certified speech-language pathologist with over 15 years of clinical experience, specializing in patients with neurological diseases.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from North Carolina State University, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University, a Doctor of Clinical Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science from the Medical University of South Carolina.

Dr. Garand's research focuses on upper aerodigestive tract function, particularly swallowing and airway clearance, with an emphasis on respiratory-swallow coordination in aging, neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, and sleep disorders. Her clinical expertise directly informs her teaching and research, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration to advance the field.

Her recent publications explore dysphagia in ALS, presbyphagia, and respiratory-swallow coordination, highlighting her focus on both clinical and physiological aspects of swallowing disorders. These works reflect a strong trend toward understanding the biomechanics and functional outcomes in neurogenic and age-related swallowing impairments.

She has received several prestigious awards, including:

• Emerging Leader Award, College of Health Professions Alumni Association, Medical University of South Carolina (2023)
• Excellence in Scholarship Award, University of South Alabama (2020)
• Advancing Academic-Research Careers Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (2018)

Dr. Garand is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, and the Dysphagia Research Society. She holds clinical certifications including CCC-SLP, BCS-S, and CBIS, underscoring her expertise in clinical practice and research. While no formal students are listed, her role as a professor and researcher suggests involvement in mentoring and advising future clinicians and scientists.

She is affiliated with clinical and research teams focused on dysphagia and neurological rehabilitation, contributing to interprofessional initiatives at the University of Pittsburgh. Her work continues to bridge clinical practice and scientific inquiry in speech-language pathology.