Advancing Research in Motor Speech Disorders
The Speech Production Lab (SPL) is housed in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and is directed by Prof. Yana Yunusova. Our lab is dedicated to the study of normal and disordered aspects of speech motor control and to innovation in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with neurologic and neurodegenerative disorders affecting speech and orofacial motor control.
Our Research
Exploring the complexities of motorspeech disorders through rigorous scientific inquiry and clinical innovation.
Our Team
A dedicated group of researchers and clinicians committed to advancing the field of motor speech disorders.
Dr. Yana Yunusova
PhD, CCC-SLP, CASLPOPrinciple Investigator and Lab Director
Dr. Yana Yunusova is a Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto, a Senior Scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute as well as a Senior Scientist at KITE University Health Network. Dr. Yunusova is also the Director of the Speech Production Lab at UofT and of the Bulbar Function Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute. Her research is focused on understanding the effects of neurologic disease on speech production.
Madhura Kulkarni
MD, MPHLab Manager
Madhura is the lab manager for the Speech Production Lab at the University of Toronto and also manages ongoing projects at the Bulbar Function Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute. She completed her Masters degree in Public health from the University of Saskatchewan. She is interested in research related to biostatistics, clinical epidemiology and neurodegenerative diseases.
Ivan Chumakov
MScResearch Manager
Ivan is a Research Manager at the Bulbar Function Lab at Sunnybrook Research Institute. He holds a Master's degree in Bioinformatics from McGill University. His work focuses on leading the development and advancement of the lab's technology platform, overseeing software and data workflows, and translating clinical and research needs into scalable digital tools.
Nevena Musikic
PhDPost-doctoral Fellow
Nevena is a post-doctoral fellow in the Speech Production Lab as part of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto and a clinical research fellowship in Neuroengineering at the University of Miami. Her research focuses on applied multimodal machine learning methods for digital biomarker development in neurodegenerative diseases.
Jennifer Soriano
PhDPost-doctoral Fellow
Jennifer is a post-doctoral fellow in the Speech Production Lab as part of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. She holds a PhD and master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, as well as a master's degree in Health Professions Education from the University of the Philippines Manila. Her research focuses on advancing dysarthria research and clinical practice.
Anna Huynh
MHSc, CASLPOPhD Candidate
Anna Huynh is pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences with a major in Speech-Language Pathology at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute. She completed her Master of Health Sciences degree in clinical Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto. She is investigating the development of an online shared decision-making aid to support discussions about bulbar symptom management in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis between patients, their families, and healthcare professionals in her dissertation research.
Judy Wang
BScMasters Student
Judy is pursuing a MSc in the Speech Production Lab as part of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (Temerty Faculty of Medicine) at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on improving speech language pathology detection and management of bulbar symptoms in myasthenia gravis.
Mahri Kadyrova
B.EngDoctoral Student
Mahri is pursuing a PhD in the Speech Production Lab as part of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on automatic analysis of tongue movements in neurodegenerative diseases.
Vishnu Akundi
B.EngDoctoral Student
Vishnu is pursuing a PhD in the Speech Production Lab as part of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on multimodal analyses of acoustic and kinematic data in neurodegenerative diseases.
Get Involved
Join our team and contribute to groundbreaking research in motorspeech disorders.
Requirements:
- •Enrolled in an accredited SLP graduate program
- •Strong interest in motor speech disorders
- •Commitment to research excellence
Requirements:
- •PhD or equivalent in Speech-Language Pathology or related field
- •Strong publication record
- •Interest in motor speech disorders
Requirements:
- •Established research program or clinical expertise
- •Complementary research interests
- •Commitment to collaborative science
Contact Us
Interested in our research or joining our team? Get in touch with us.
Address
Department of Speech Language Pathology
University of Toronto
500 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V7
uoft.speech.production.lab@gmail.com
Phone
(555) 123-4567