Current Research Projects
Investigating Speech Following Treatment for Lingual Cancer
This longitudinal study uses real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) to examine speech production outcomes in individuals undergoing surgical resection, reconstructive treatment, and adjuvant radiation therapy for lingual cancer. rtMRI, acoustic, and perceptual data are collected pre-operatively and at multiple post-operative intervals to track changes in lingual movement efficiency (indexed in various ways), compensatory strategies, acoustics, and speech intelligibility. Using these measures, the study aims to characterize how speakers adapt to the effects of treatment, identify predictors of successful adaptation, and inform rehabilitation approaches that support long-term functional communication.
Collaborators:
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
Krishna Nayak (USC Engineering)
Uttam Sinha (USC - Keck School of Medicine)
Assessing the Efficacy of rtMRI Speech Biofeedback for Survivors of Lingual Cancer
This project explores the feasibility and therapeutic potential of rtMRI speech biofeedback for individuals following treatment for lingual cancer. The study investigates whether access to real-time vocal tract visualization during speech therapy improves motor learning, speech intelligibility, and functional communication. Outcomes of this study will clarify which biofeedback parameters best support successful adaptation to altered lingual anatomy and physiology, and will provide critical evidence for incorporating rtMRI biofeedback into oncologic speech rehabilitation.
Collaborators:
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
Krishna Nayak (USC Engineering)
Uttam Sinha (USC - Keck School of Medicine)
Characterizing Developmental Speech Patterns
This project uses real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) to examine speech production in children whose speech patterns differ from typical adult targets. This study investigates articulatory coordination, timing, and other aspects of vocal tract shaping during speech by capturing dynamic vocal tract movements in children with typically developing speech and in children with speech sound disorders. This work aims to advance our understanding of speech motor development and to inform assessment and intervention approaches for pediatric speech disorders.
Collaborators:
Aravind Namasivayam (University of Toronto, Speech Research Centre)
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
Krishna Nayak (USC Engineering)
Multimodal Imaging of Speech Production
This project integrates real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI), ultrasound imaging, and acoustic analysis to examine speech production across complementary spatial and temporal scales and to characterize relationships between vocal tract structure, articulatory movement, and acoustics. This multimodal approach enables cross-validation of measurement techniques and supports the development of more precise models of speech motor control and articulatory coordination.
Collaborators:
Xuan Shi (USC Engineering)
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
This longitudinal study uses real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) to examine speech production outcomes in individuals undergoing surgical resection, reconstructive treatment, and adjuvant radiation therapy for lingual cancer. rtMRI, acoustic, and perceptual data are collected pre-operatively and at multiple post-operative intervals to track changes in lingual movement efficiency (indexed in various ways), compensatory strategies, acoustics, and speech intelligibility. Using these measures, the study aims to characterize how speakers adapt to the effects of treatment, identify predictors of successful adaptation, and inform rehabilitation approaches that support long-term functional communication.
Collaborators:
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
Krishna Nayak (USC Engineering)
Uttam Sinha (USC - Keck School of Medicine)
Assessing the Efficacy of rtMRI Speech Biofeedback for Survivors of Lingual Cancer
This project explores the feasibility and therapeutic potential of rtMRI speech biofeedback for individuals following treatment for lingual cancer. The study investigates whether access to real-time vocal tract visualization during speech therapy improves motor learning, speech intelligibility, and functional communication. Outcomes of this study will clarify which biofeedback parameters best support successful adaptation to altered lingual anatomy and physiology, and will provide critical evidence for incorporating rtMRI biofeedback into oncologic speech rehabilitation.
Collaborators:
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
Krishna Nayak (USC Engineering)
Uttam Sinha (USC - Keck School of Medicine)
Characterizing Developmental Speech Patterns
This project uses real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) to examine speech production in children whose speech patterns differ from typical adult targets. This study investigates articulatory coordination, timing, and other aspects of vocal tract shaping during speech by capturing dynamic vocal tract movements in children with typically developing speech and in children with speech sound disorders. This work aims to advance our understanding of speech motor development and to inform assessment and intervention approaches for pediatric speech disorders.
Collaborators:
Aravind Namasivayam (University of Toronto, Speech Research Centre)
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)
Krishna Nayak (USC Engineering)
Multimodal Imaging of Speech Production
This project integrates real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI), ultrasound imaging, and acoustic analysis to examine speech production across complementary spatial and temporal scales and to characterize relationships between vocal tract structure, articulatory movement, and acoustics. This multimodal approach enables cross-validation of measurement techniques and supports the development of more precise models of speech motor control and articulatory coordination.
Collaborators:
Xuan Shi (USC Engineering)
Shri Narayanan (USC Engineering)