معرفی
Michelle Shevon Troche is a Professor of Speech and Language Pathology at Teachers College, Columbia University within the Graduate School of Education. She serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Director of The Upper Airway Dysfunction Lab (UAD Lab). Her work focuses on improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients with dysphagia, dystussia, and dysarthria through research, clinical care, and education.
Dr. Troche earned her educational credentials from the University of Florida, including:
- Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2006-2009)
- M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology (2004-2006)
- B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Linguistics, with minors in Teaching English as a Second Language and Gerontology (2000-2004)
Her primary research interests center on airway protection disorders, particularly dysphagia and dystussia in neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease. Dr. Troche's work bridges basic science understanding of airway protection mechanisms with clinical applications for evaluation and treatment. She has pioneered research in expiratory muscle strength training, cough rehabilitation, and telehealth applications for swallowing disorders. Her laboratory employs both basic science approaches to understand airway protection mechanisms and clinical research to develop novel evaluation and treatment techniques.
Analysis of Dr. Troche's extensive publication record reveals consistent focus on Parkinson's disease and airway protection, with increasing attention to telehealth applications and methodological rigor in swallowing research. Her work demonstrates strong translational value, moving from basic research on cough and swallowing mechanisms to clinical interventions that improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Troche mentors numerous students and fellows through the UAD Lab, including post-doctoral researchers, doctoral students, and clinical fellows. Her interdisciplinary approach involves collaborations across departments and institutions, particularly in neurology and rehabilitation science. The UAD Lab forms part of a University-funded and IRB-approved Clinical Research Neurorehabilitation Initiative that provides free clinical research screenings for people with neurological diseases.
As director of the UAD Lab, Dr. Troche oversees research on multiple behaviors contributing to airway protection and their modification through non-pharmacological treatment paradigms. The lab works with diverse populations including healthy volunteers, people with Parkinson's disease, other movement disorders, and ischemic stroke patients.
