Rachel Mulheren

Dr. Rachel Mulheren is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. She is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in the neurophysiology of swallowing and communication, with a focus on how sensory perception impacts swallowing mechanisms. Her research explores taste manipulation, lingual pressure measurement, and neurorehabilitation strategies for dysphagia. She joined the university in 2018 and directs the Brain in Swallowing & Communication Lab (BISCLAB), advancing translational research in swallowing disorders.

Dr. Mulheren holds a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and has expertise in clinical applications for aging populations and post-stroke rehabilitation. Her work bridges neuroscience and clinical practice, addressing gaps in understanding swallowing physiology and developing innovative therapeutic techniques. She actively collaborates with Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center and contributes to graduate education in speech-language pathology, emphasizing cultural responsiveness and gender diversity in training programs.

Her research portfolio includes studies on taste-stimulated swallowing, vibratory stimulation therapy, and genetic influences on swallowing function. Key themes include cortical activation during swallowing, aging-related changes in oral motor function, and improving diagnostic accuracy through advanced imaging techniques. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, her contributions to dysphagia management and neurorehabilitation have positioned her as a rising leader in the field.

Dr. Mulheren’s lab integrates neuroimaging (e.g., fNIRS), biomechanical measurements, and clinical trials to advance both basic science and patient care. Current projects explore home-based treatment modalities and the feasibility of novel interventions for chronic dysphagia. She advocates for early identification of post-stroke swallowing complications and has published extensively on swallowing dysfunction in inflammatory myopathies and stroke survivors.