Asefeh Memarian

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT ASEFEH MEMARIAN

My journey in speech therapy began with a Bachelor of Science degree from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (MUI), where I ranked 1st in the national examination for graduate admission in speech therapy. This achievement led me to pursue a Master of Science in speech-language pathology at the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). During my master’s program, I designed a Farsi text to assess adult voice features, aiming to create a reliable and valid tool for evaluating voice characteristics for both research and clinical purposes. This project honed my skills in database searches, proposal writing, data collection, data analysis, and comprehensive documentation. In 2008, I joined the Department of Speech Therapy at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences as a Lecturer. I taught several courses in this role, supervised clinical activities for speech-language pathology students, and coordinated clinical education. My responsibilities also included supervising undergraduate and master’s theses, collaborating on various research projects, and contributing to the Research Unit for Communication Disorders of Speech, Language, and Hearing, and the Cleft Lip and Palate Research Center. These experiences allowed me to develop strong leadership skills and thrive in a team environment. Despite swallowing disorders not being part of the curriculum during my undergraduate and master’s studies, I pursued independent learning in this field due to my strong interest. I gained sufficient knowledge and clinical expertise to begin teaching speech therapy students the “swallowing and its disorders” course from 2012 to 2021. My specialization in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders has been a significant focus of my career. Currently, I am a Ph.D. candidate in Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Ottawa, where my research focuses on coordination patterns for speech and swallowing relative to respiratory function in Neurogenic Ataxia. Throughout my academic and professional career, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the field of speech therapy through rigorous research and effective teaching. My diverse experiences have equipped me with a robust set of research skills and a deep understanding of the complexities of speech and swallowing disorders. I am passionate about continuing my research and contributing to the development of innovative therapeutic interventions.