Mariana Mendes Bahia

Mariana Mendes Bahia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on swallowing physiology, respiratory-swallowing coordination, therapeutic strategies for swallowing rehabilitation, and post-rehabilitation brain reorganization and neuroplasticity.

• Education: PhD in Speech-Language Pathology & Neuroscience from Syracuse University (2022), MS in Medical Pathophysiology & Neuroscience from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (2014), Specialization in Speech-Language Pathology & Neurology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (2011), BS in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (2009)
• Previous Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Research Interests center on dysphagia mechanisms, neuroplasticity post-stroke, and rehabilitation efficacy. She employs techniques like surface electromyography (sEMG) and cortical activity analysis to advance swallowing disorder interventions.

Recent Articles highlight trends in effortful swallow biomechanics, post-stroke dysphagia, and implementation science for clinical tools. Her work bridges neuroscience and rehabilitation strategies, emphasizing physiological assessment and patient outcomes.

Scientific Awards include:

• New Investigators Research Grant (2023- ) for cortical activity studies in post-stroke dysphagia
• Catalyst Mentorship Grant (2023- ) for brain-swallowing coordination research
• Catalyst Quality Improvement Grant (2023- ) for novel skill-based intervention programs