Rinki Varindani Desai

Rinki Varindani Desai is a Research Associate at the MGH Swallowing and Communication Collaborative and a Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) student at MGH Institute of Health Professions since 2023. She bridges digital health innovation with clinical expertise in dysphagia management and neurodegenerative diseases.

Education

• BS in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from AYJ National Institute for the Speech and Hearing Disabled, Mumbai, India
• MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Texas at Dallas, Texas
• SLPD in progress at MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA

Research Interests

Her work focuses on dysphagia care, cognitive-communication disorders, digital health technologies, and speech-language pathology applications in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. She emphasizes clinical education, healthcare accessibility, and innovative patient-centered interventions.

Scientific Contributions

• Taskforce reports on dysphagia care during global pandemics
• Studies on dysphagia practice patterns in dementia and India
• Comparative analyses of presbyphagia vs. dysphagia
• Advocacy for instrumental assessments in long-term care

Leadership & Innovation

As founder of Theratactix Digital Health Consulting and the Medical SLP Forum, she co-created the Dysphagia Therapy mobile app and co-founded the Swallowing Training and Education Portal. She co-leads the 2025 Healthtech and Innovation Fellowship for U.S. healthcare professionals.