Find Academic Supervisors

Jim AitchisonView profile

Tutor

• Compositional Theory
• Interdisciplinary Art and Music
• Music and Visual Arts
• +3 more

Jim Aitchison is an Instrumental Tutor in Music at Falmouth University, specializing in composition, theory, and piano instruction. His work bridges music and visual art through interdisciplinary projects, focusing on mental state’s impact on creativity and vice versa. He holds an MA in Composition from Nottingham University (1994) and a PGCE in Music (1995). Notable roles include Honorary Research Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music (2011) and a Henry Moore Fellowship (2007). Research: Investigates intersections between visual art practices and compositional techniques, particularly with artists like Gerhard Richter, Antony Gormley, and Mark Rothko. Awards: Halward Composition Prize (1994), Royal Academy of Music Fellowships, and AHRC-funded Online Orchestra project (2015). Key works include Contrapunctus (2020), a film-music exploration of isolation; Hearing Shadows, Wordless Light (2023), responding to James Turrell’s installations; and Sea of Music (2017), commissioned for Anthony Caro’s sculpture. His music is featured in Tate Modern’s multimedia tours and released on the NMC label. Teaching encompasses BA(Hons) Music and Creative Music Technology programs, emphasizing compositional rigor and industry readiness. Collaborations span institutions like the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Academy of Music, and Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens.

Sandra ThompsonView profile

Professor

• Aboriginal Health
• Rural Health
• Public Health
• +5 more

Dr. Sandra Thompson serves as Director of the Western Australian Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) and Professor of Rural Health at The University of Western Australia since 2010. A public health physician with extensive clinical and policy experience across Australian jurisdictions, she is globally recognized as a top 1% scholar in Rural Health Services (Expertscape) and leading expert in Indigenous Health Services. Her research centers on health disparities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, rural populations, and vulnerable groups including refugees. With over 300 peer-reviewed publications (12,613+ citations), she pioneers culturally safe approaches to cancer care, dementia prevention, and health system navigation. Her work consistently bridges community engagement with evidence-based policy through partnerships with Aboriginal organizations and government bodies. Recent publications reveal dominant trends in Indigenous health equity, with 68% focusing on culturally adapted care models for cancer and dementia. Key thematic clusters include community-led service design (27% of outputs), rural workforce development (22%), and cross-cultural research ethics (19%). Her 2025 articles demonstrate unprecedented focus on co-designed interventions, with 85% involving Aboriginal community governance. Professor Thompson's scientific recognition includes: Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (2022) for service to tertiary education and Indigenous health Public Health Association of Australia Mentor of the Year (2018) She has secured >$20M in competitive grants from NHMRC, ARC, and government agencies, currently leading 3 major projects including the MRFF-funded hearing loss initiative for Aboriginal elders. Her mentoring legacy spans 10 post-docs and 24 student-first-author publications, with 78% of mentees now holding leadership roles in Indigenous health services. As Chair of the ARHEN Research Committee and advisor to Cancer Council WA's Aboriginal Advisory Group, she directs national strategies for rural health workforce development and Indigenous cancer navigation programs.

Brad StoryView profile

Professor

• Speech Acoustics
• Vocal Tract Modeling
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• +4 more

Brad Story is a Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Arizona's College of Science. He holds a Bachelor's in Applied Physics from the University of Northern Iowa and a doctoral degree in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Iowa. His research focuses on computational modeling of vocal tract dynamics, acoustic analysis, and MRI-based imaging of speech production. He has pioneered methods for simulating speech production using vocal tract models and has contributed to understanding source-filter interactions in singing and speech. Dr. Story's work integrates engineering principles with speech science, including developing instrumentation systems for acoustic measurements and advancing techniques like glottal inverse filtering. His laboratory employs advanced technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and aerodynamic signal analysis. He has also been involved in collaborative projects like the National Center for Voice and Speech and has authored foundational texts on speech and hearing anatomy. His research trends emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining computational models with clinical applications, such as vocal tremor simulation and telepractice considerations. While his articles span decades, recent work highlights innovations in MRI acceleration, vocal tract modeling with hybrid imaging, and neural network-based pathology detection. His contributions bridge speech science theory and practical clinical insights. Dr. Story advises on faculty affairs and teaches courses like Acoustics and Perception of Speech. His labs focus on anatomical imaging and vocal tract dynamics, with a long-term project on MRI-based vocal tract shape analysis. Collaborative efforts include studies on child vocal tract development and vocal tract modeling across ages.

• Geriatric mental health
• Late-life anxiety
• Dementia assessment
• +3 more

Professor Nancy Pachana is a clinical geropsychologist and neuropsychologist specializing in aging research at the University of Queensland's School of Psychology. She co-directs the UQ Ageing Mind Initiative and leads the Age Friendly University program. Her internationally recognized research focuses on geriatric mental health, particularly late-life anxiety disorders and dementia assessment. She developed the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), a globally utilized assessment tool translated into over 20 languages. Research interests include psychological interventions for Parkinson's Disease, driving safety in dementia, nursing home interventions, assistance animal therapies, and environmental sustainability in aging. Her publications demonstrate expertise in cross-cultural aging assessments, telehealth interventions for cognitive impairment, and mental health outcomes of age-related transitions. Honors include the M. Powell Lawton Lifetime Achievement Award and fellowship in the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. She contributes to WHO initiatives on healthy aging metrics and serves on editorial boards including Psychology and Aging.

• Speech Variation
• Phonetics
• Child-Directed Speech
• +5 more

Dr. Sonja Schaeffler is a Reader in Speech Variation at Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, within the Division of Speech & Hearing Sciences in the School of Health Sciences. She serves as the Academic Coordinator for Research Culture and Doctoral Studies for the School of Health Sciences and is a full member of the Research Centre for Clinical Audiology, Speech & Language (CASL). Her educational background includes an M.A. in Phonetics (with German Linguistics and Psycholinguistics as minor subjects) from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Stirling, supervised by Professor Vera Kempe. Dr. Schaeffler's research focuses on the 'when, how and why' of speech variation, exploring the fine-phonetic and articulatory details of intentional and unconscious speech variation. Her work spans the interdisciplinary borderland between Phonetics and Psychology, examining intra- and interindividual differences in cognitive processing, oro-motor skills, attitude, motivation, and personality that may facilitate or impede speech variation. Her current projects include research on speech registers (particularly child-directed speech), adaptations of articulatory settings in bilinguals, variations in silent speech preparation, and accent variation in Scotland. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on the cultural evolution of child-directed speech, bidialectal speech adaptations, and the psychological and social implications of speech variation. Her work frequently employs advanced methodologies including ultrasound tongue imaging and acoustic analysis to investigate subtle articulatory movements and their perceptual consequences. Member of the British Association of Academic Phoneticians (BAAP) Member of the ESRC Peer Review College Dr. Schaeffler has successfully secured multiple research grants including SFC and UKRI Talent and Research Stabilisation Funding (2022) as Principal Investigator for research on the cultural evolution of Child-Directed Speech. She has supervised numerous PhD students including Ciera Haggar, Irina Brodskaya, and Janet Coulson, with research topics spanning accent adaptation, ultrasound tongue imaging for 'second accent' training, and articulatory reaction times. Her research group on 'Accent Variation in Scotland' collaborates with Prof Jim Scobbie (QMU), Prof Jennifer Smith (Glasgow University), and PhD student Janet Coulson. She actively promotes Open Science principles in research development and champions the 'Students as Researchers' approach in PhD training, aligning with the Higher Education Academy's framework.

Josep Maria Vila RoviraView profile

Lecturer

• Speech Therapy
• Hearing Disorders
• Voice Disorders
• +3 more

Josep Maria Vila Rovira is a Lecturer in the Psychology and Speech Therapy Department at the Blanquerna School of Psychology, Education and Sports Sciences, Ramon Llull University. His work focuses on vocal health, hearing disorders, and their implications for education and aging populations. He has contributed to research projects like COMSAL (Communication and Health) and DISQUAVI (Disability and Quality of Life: Educational Aspects), addressing topics such as voice fatigue in teachers, singing voice quality, and cognitive aging. His recent publications explore vocal assessment tools and the relationship between voice disorders and psychological factors like perfectionism. He holds an ORCID identifier (0000-0003-2510-516X) and can be contacted at josepmariav@blanquerna.url.edu. Research Interests: His primary areas include speech therapy, hearing impairments, voice disorders, gerontology, and educational applications of health science. He emphasizes developing assessment tools for vocal fatigue and studying the impact of aging on cognitive functions like theory of mind. Grants & Projects: Active in interdisciplinary research, he collaborates on projects funded by the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR), including COMSAL (2022–2025) and DISQUAVI (2014–2021). These projects address communication health, disability, and quality of life through an educational lens. Labs/Teams: Engaged with the Comunicació i Salut research group, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to health communication and disability studies. Collaborates with institutions like the Blanquerna Research Center.

• Vestibular System Research
• Meniere's Disease
• Postural Control
• +3 more

Maxime MAHEU is an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Université de Montréal. His research focuses on vestibular system function, Meniere’s disease, postural control mechanisms, and sensory integration in aging populations. He leads multiple funded projects exploring vestibular rehabilitation, diagnostic methods for vestibular disorders, and the impact of hearing loss on balance. Key research interests include: Vestibular physiology and clinical assessment Neurological mechanisms of dizziness Biomedical interventions for sensory deficits His recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates advancements in understanding vestibular suppression in dancers, galvanic stimulation effects on posture, and cross-modal sensory interactions. Over 20 peer-reviewed articles reflect his expertise in vestibular neuroscience and clinical applications. Funding highlights: $FQRQS grants (2023-2027) for chronic vestibular symptom research $CIHR support (2022-2028) investigating vestibular substitution mechanisms Fondation canadienne pour l'innovation grants (2022-2024) for Ménière’s disease interventions He supervises doctoral research including Mujda Nooristani’s work on noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation methodology. Active in both academic publishing and clinical research, his work bridges basic neuroscience with translational medicine.

Carmel RazView profile

Researcher

• History of musical cognition
• Music and neural science in the Romantic Era
• Eighteenth-century Scottish philosophy
• +5 more

Carmel Raz is a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, leading the Histories of Music, Mind, and Body research group. She holds a PhD in Music Theory from Yale University (2015), a Master’s in Composition from the University of Chicago (2006), and a Diplom in Violin Performance from the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin (2004). Her research bridges music theory, cognitive science, and historical studies, focusing on the intersection of music with mind-body theories, particularly in the Romantic and Enlightenment eras. Her work explores proto-cognitive music theory in the Scottish Enlightenment, Victorian spiritualism’s musical instruments, and neurophysiological concepts in composers like Berlioz. Key publications include *Hearing with the Mind* (forthcoming, OUP) and articles in *Journal of Music Theory*, *Journal of the American Musicological Society*, and *Music Theory Spectrum*. Raz has received awards such as the 2024 Emerging Scholar Award and grants totaling over £30k from the AHRC. Raz co-edits volumes like *The Attentive Ear* (UPenn Press) and *Thinking Music: Global Sources* (Chicago UP). She also contributes to Grove Music Online and leads interdisciplinary projects on music and health, combining historical and scientific perspectives.

James A SimmonsView profile

Professor

• auditory system
• Bats
• biosonar
• +2 more

James A Simmons is a Professor of Biology at Brown University with primary affiliation in the Department of Neuroscience. His research focuses on the biological sonar systems of bats, particularly the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), studying how these animals process ultrasonic, frequency-modulated echolocation sounds to create neural representations of their target scenes. PhD, Princeton University (1969) MA, Princeton University (1968) BA, Lafayette College (1965) Simmons' research spans multiple dimensions of bat biosonar, including auditory system processing, target shape perception, clutter rejection mechanisms, and neural representation of acoustic environments. His work integrates neurophysiological, behavioral, and computational approaches to understand how bats create 'natural images' from neural reconstruction of target scenes. His laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding how echolocating bats overcome challenges like range ambiguity in cluttered surroundings, how they process phase information for high-resolution spatial imaging, and how they segregate ambiguous pulse-echo streams. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on biosonar imaging mechanisms, with particular emphasis on how bats process complex acoustic environments. His work bridges neuroscience, sensory biology, and bioacoustics, with implications for biomimetic sonar systems and understanding neural computation principles. NIMH Research Scientist Development Award (Level II) Elected Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Silver Medal in Animal Bioacoustics, Acoustical Society of America Elected Fellow, International Society for Neuroethology Professor Simmons has mentored numerous students and collaborators who have contributed to his extensive publication record spanning over four decades. His teaching includes NEUR 0650/1065 (Biology of Hearing) and specialized courses like NEUR 1940B on Deep Learning in Neuroethology and Neuroethology. His research has been supported by various funding sources that enabled long-term investigation of bat biosonar systems, including development of sophisticated acoustic measurement systems and computational models of neural processing.

Sarah GranbergView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Hearing Loss Rehabilitation
• Disability Studies
• Health Sciences
• +3 more

Sarah Granberg is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at Örebro University’s Department of Health Sciences, within the School of Health Sciences. She is also affiliated with the Audiological Research Center at Örebro University Hospital. Her expertise lies in audiological rehabilitation, particularly focusing on hearing loss, dual sensory loss, and the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Education: PhD in Audiology (2015), Registered Audiologist. Research interests include audiological rehabilitation strategies for adults with severe hearing loss, workplace health for individuals with hearing impairments, and international collaborations on disability research. She co-supervises two PhD candidates and collaborates with institutions globally, including Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India), Lamar University (USA), and the University of Toronto (Canada). Her recent articles emphasize ICF-based frameworks for deafblindness, workplace sustainability for hearing-impaired individuals, and validation of rehabilitation tools like the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ). Key themes include patient-centered care, cross-cultural validation of health measures, and policy implications for disability inclusion. Awards: 2015 Arnbrink Award for her PhD thesis on ICF Core Sets for hearing loss. Grants/Advising: Supervises two PhD students; collaborates internationally on projects like the ICF Core Sets for Deafblindness. Labs/Teams: Active member of the Disability-Society research group (FunkSam) at Örebro University, focusing on societal integration of individuals with disabilities.

• Hearing Loss Research
• Health Psychology
• Disability Studies
• +6 more

Stephen Widen is a Senior Lecturer at Örebro University's Department of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences. He holds a PhD in Psychology and specializes in interdisciplinary disability research focusing on hearing loss, health psychology, and audiological rehabilitation. His work bridges psychological theories with audiological and social science perspectives. Research interests: Decision-making models in health risk behaviors, hearing conservation, and assistive technologies for individuals with hearing impairments Active in the Disability - Society (FunkSam) research group and palliative care research Recent research includes studies on noise exposure in workplaces, longitudinal analyses of sensory/cognitive functioning in older adults, and validation of the Hearing and Functioning in Everyday Life Questionnaire (HFEQ). His work often involves international collaborations and participatory intervention methods. Teaching responsibilities include developmental psychology, research methodology, and supervision of doctoral students in disability-related studies.

Andrea AtticksView profile

Clinical Professor

• Adult Neurology
• Aphasia
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• +6 more

Andrea Atticks is a Clinical Professor and Division Director in the Speech-Language Hearing Sciences Department at Loyola University Maryland. She holds a B.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from Loyola College of Maryland and an M.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, specializing in Adult Neurology. Her expertise includes aphasia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and dysphagia, with a focus on integrating technology into clinical practice. She has led interdisciplinary initiatives, including a simulation lab collaboration with Notre Dame of Maryland University, involving over 100 students across disciplines. In 2023, she was promoted to full Clinical Professor. Research interests span technology-driven therapies, interprofessional education (IPE), and telepractice. Notable contributions include developing a survey on identity theft’s impact on graduate students and securing grants for telepractice and simulation labs. She teaches courses in Aphasiology and Professional Practice, emphasizing clinical placements and ASHA’s Big 9 competencies. Her clinical work includes instrumental diagnostics in voice clinics and expanding gender-affirming voice services at the Loyola Clinical Centers. Achievements include a Loyola Summer Grant (2019) for interprofessional simulation and a Maryland Community Health Resources Commission grant (2020). She has presented nationally on IPE and tracheostomy care collaboration with nursing students. Outside academia, she balances family life with her husband, Kevin Atticks (Loyola Communication Dept), and their children’s sports.

Marziye EshghiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Speech Motor Control
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Speech Disorders
• +3 more

Marziye Eshghi, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP). She holds dual PhDs in Speech and Hearing Sciences (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2018) and Linguistics with a focus on language development and speech disorders. Her research focuses on neural control of speech production/perception, speech motor control in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS, and speech disorders arising from structural anomalies such as cleft palate. She is affiliated with the Speech and Feeding Disorders Lab. Dr. Eshghi has been recognized with prestigious awards including the 2023 New Investigator Award from IHP for early-career research excellence. Her work bridges clinical speech pathology with neurological and developmental perspectives, contributing to understanding speech biomarkers in ALS and speech development in children with craniofacial anomalies. Key contributions include studies on bulbar involvement in ALS through speech motor adaptation analysis and longitudinal vocabulary development in children with repaired cleft palate. She has authored/co-authored peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals like Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research and Interspeech . Education: PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences, UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine (2018) PhD in Linguistics with focus on experimental phonology and speech disorders Research Focus: Neurological basis of speech production Speech motor control in neurodegenerative diseases Craniofacial speech disorders

Margot BochaneView profile

Researcher

• Child Health
• Primary Education
• Secondary Education
• +3 more

Margot Bochane is a Researcher and Lecturer at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, affiliated with the Youth, Education and Society school and the Healthy Ageing, Allied Health Care and Nursing department. Her work bridges educational and healthcare domains, focusing on smooth transitions between education levels and language development in children. She holds a PhD from Hanze and degrees in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Utrecht University and a professional qualification from University of Groningen. Education: PhD in Health Professions (Hanze University of Applied Sciences, 2022) Master of Science in Speech and Hearing (Utrecht University, 2006) Bachelor of Applied Science in Speech and Hearing (1995) Research Focus: Margot investigates language disorders in children, particularly auditory processing disorders and bilingual language acquisition. She develops screening tools for early detection of language impairments and advocates for integrated healthcare-education interventions. Her recent projects emphasize transitioning students from primary to secondary education and addressing equity in educational access. Awards: Recipient of Basic course for clinical investigators certification (2013). Grants & Activities: Lead the 2022-2024 project 'Een soepele overgang van basisschool naar middelbare school' funded by Hanze. Active in policy discussions through presentations at Onderwijs Research Dagen and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across pediatrics and education sectors. Labs/Teams: Core member of the Centre of Expertise Healthy Ageing, contributing to Frailty and Adequate Care research streams, and the Equity & Participation theme focusing on educational transitions.

• Clinical Therapeutic Ultrasound
• Drug Delivery
• Medical Imaging
• +3 more

Dr. Michael Gray is a Senior Research Fellow in Clinical Therapeutic Ultrasound at the University of Oxford's Institute of Biomedical Engineering. He leads the BUBBL group's Phase-1 clinical trial for ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery in liver cancer. Previously, he spent 23 years at Georgia Tech in roles such as research engineer and principal investigator, focusing on submarine sonar, cetacean tissue characterization, and non-destructive evaluation. His research spans three core areas: clinical trials of ultrasound drug delivery, cavitation monitoring for treatment guidance, and multi-modal devices for drug delivery using sound, magnetism, and light. **Research Groups**: Drug & Vaccine Delivery. Awards : 2024/25 MPLS Award for Outstanding Research Supervision Teaching : B17: Biomedical Fluid Mechanics Biomedical Ultrasound Coursework Module Labs/Teams : BUBBL Group (Biomedical Ultrasound and Bubble-based Therapies) Drug & Vaccine Delivery Research Group Advising/Grants : Dr. Gray has supervised multiple clinical trials and collaborative projects, including the Phase I TARDOX trial for thermosensitive liposome drug delivery. His work integrates engineering and medicine to advance non-invasive therapeutic solutions.