Kazlin Mason

Kazlin Mason is an Assistant Professor in the Human Services department at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development, where she directs the Imaging and Communication Outcomes (iCO) Lab. Her research integrates imaging technology, 3D computer visualization, and predictive analytics to optimize care for children with cleft and craniofacial differences, focusing on speech physiology and surgical outcomes.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. from East Carolina University
• M.S. from State University of New York at Fredonia
• B.S. from State University of New York at Fredonia

Mason's research centers on precision medicine applications for pediatric speech disorders, particularly velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). She develops patient-specific indicators for surgical success using computational modeling of velopharyngeal mechanisms and translational approaches for clinical assessment. Her clinical expertise encompasses cleft/craniofacial anomalies, voice/resonance disorders, upper airway conditions, and pediatric dysphagia, with teaching interests in anatomy/physiology and research methods.

Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal consistent innovation in velopharyngeal imaging and biomechanics, emphasizing MRI optimization, muscle activation modeling, and anatomical predictors for surgical planning. These works address clinical barriers through data-driven frameworks that advance personalized treatment protocols in speech pathology.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award (2024) for biomaterial development and imaging methodology innovations

Mason advises students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Ph.D. and M.Ed. programs) and secures cross-disciplinary grants involving biomedical engineering and surgery. Current projects focus on regenerative biomaterials for palatal reconstruction and AI-enhanced MRI assessment to reduce surgical failure rates exceeding 30% in VPD treatment.

She leads the iCO Lab's collaborative initiatives with materials scientists and surgeons, driving innovation in surgical techniques, computational pipelines, and clinical translation of research protocols for children's communication outcomes.