معرفی
Dr. Kathy R. Vander Werff serves as a Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Syracuse University. Her research focuses on auditory neuroscience, particularly the neural mechanisms underlying speech perception in complex environments and disorders like tinnitus and misophonia. She holds a PhD in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Iowa and has been actively involved in mentoring graduate students and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Education:
- Ph.D., Speech and Hearing Science, University of Iowa (2002)
- M.A., Audiology, University of Iowa (1993)
- B.A., Communication Disorders, Northeast Missouri State University (1991)
Research Interests: Dr. Vander Werff’s work investigates auditory evoked potentials, speech-in-noise perception, and the impact of developmental and acquired conditions (e.g., concussion, aging) on auditory processing. Her lab employs EEG techniques to study neural responses in both clinical and healthy populations.
Grants & Awards:
- Recipient of the James and Susan Jerger Award for Excellence in Student Research (2025)
- Funding from NIH/NIDCD, Syracuse University’s CUSE grants, and private endowments
Service & Leadership: Dr. Vander Werff leads departmental strategic initiatives, serves as Graduate Program Director, and holds editorial roles in journals like American Journal of Audiology. She is also a member of national advisory committees for audiology certification and research.
Labs & Teams: Directs the Auditory Electrophysiology Research Lab, focusing on physiological measures of auditory function and translational research to improve clinical diagnostics.
