Sonja Molfenter
Assistant Professor

Phone: 212-992-7694
Email: smm16@nyu.edu
- Departments:
- Programs:
Dr. Sonja Molfenter is a clinically-trained Speech Language Pathologist whose research specializes in understanding the physiological features of both normal swallowing and disordered swallowing (known as dysphagia). Swallowing function is commonly disrupted after many conditions including stroke, brain injury, head and neck cancer and spinal cord injury.
Her over-arching research goal is to produce clinically-relevant research to inform front-line clinical practice. Her current focus is on naturally-occurring muscle loss in the pharynx as the result of aging and the impact of this loss on swallowing function.
For more information, please visit https://wp.nyu.edu/smolfenter/ and/or follow us on Facebook.
Education
- PhD (2013) - University of Toronto, Speech Language Pathology
- MHSc (2007) - University of Toronto, Speech Language Pathology
- BA (2004) - University of Toronto, Psychology, Linguistics & Anthropology
Grants and Awards
- 2017 : ASHA's Early Career Contributions to Research Award
- 2017 : Steinhardt Challenge Grant: Cross Department Collaborative Award (with Dr. Ken Aigen)
- 2017 : CTSI Pilot Funding (PI: Dr. Aaron Johnson)
- 2015 : NIH NIDCD R21
- 2015 : ASHA Lessons for Success
- 2014 : ASHA - AARC
- 2014 : Steinhardt Summer Grant Development Award
- 2013 : Dysphagia Research Society New Investigator Award
- 2012 : Ontario Graduate Scholarship
- 2009 : NSERC Create CARE scholarship
Publications
- Turcotte, M., Herzberg, E., Balou, M., & Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Analysis of Pharyngeal Edema Post-Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer: Impact on Swallow Function. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. 3:377-383.
- Molfenter, S. M., Lenell, C. & Lazarus, C.L. (2018). Pharyngeal atrophy in healthy aging: Implications for swallowing function. Published online ahead of print in Dysphagia.
- Brates, D., Molfenter, S.M., Thibeault, S. (2018). Perceptual Methods for Assessing Hyolaryngeal Excursion: Evaluating Palpation at the Bedside and Visualization During Videofluoroscopy. Published online ahead of print in Dysphagia.
- Molfenter, S. M., Brates, D., Hertzberg, E., Noorani, M., & Lazarus, C.L. (2018). The swallowing profile of healthy aging adults: Comparing non-invasive swallow tests to videofluoroscopic measures of safety and efficiency. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research. Vol. 61: 1603-1612.
- Herzberg, E.H., Lazarus, C.L., Steele, C.M. and Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Swallowing event sequencing: Comparing healthy older and younger adults. Published online ahead of print in Dysphagia.
- Molfenter, S. M., Hsu, C.Y., Ying, L., & Lazarus, C.L. (2017). Alterations to swallowing physiology as the result of effortful swallowing in healthy seniors. Dysphagia.33(3):380-388.
- Muss, L., Wilmskoetter, J., Richter, K. Fix, C., Stanschus, S., Pitzen, T., Drumm, J. & Molfenter, S. M. (2017). Changes in Swallowing after Anterior Cervical Disk Fusion with Anterior Instrumentation: A Pre- versus Post-surgical Videofluoroscopic Comparison. Newly Published. doi:10.1044/2016_JSLHR-S-16-0091 JSLHR.
- Molfenter, S. M. (2016). The reliability of oral and pharyngeal dimensions captured with acoustic pharyngometry. Online ahead of print. Dysphagia. DOI 10.I007/s00455-016-9713-y
- Molfenter, S., Amin, M., Branski, R., Brumm, J., Hagiwara, M., Roof, S. & Lazarus, C. (2015). Age-related Changes in Pharyngeal Lumen Size: A Retrospective MRI Analysis. Dysphagia. 30(3): 321-327.
- Stokely, S. L., Peladeau-Pigeon, M.,Leigh, C., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. M. The Relationship Between Pharyngeal Constriction and Post-Swallow Residue. Dysphagia. 30(3):349-356.
- Nagy, A., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Stokely, S. L. & Steele, C. M. The Effect of Bolus Consistency on Hyoid Velocity in Healthy Swallowing. Dysphagia. 30(4): 445-451.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2014). Use of an anatomical scalar to control for sex-based size differences in measures of hyoid excursion during swallowing. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research. 57: 768-778
- Nagy, A., Molfenter, S., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Stokely, S. & Steele, C. (2014). The effect of bolus volume on hyoid kinematics in healthy swallowing. BioMed Research International, vol. 2014, Article ID 738971, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/738971
- Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Palacco, R., & Yee, C. (2014). Variations in Tongue-Palate Swallowing Pressures When Swallowing Xanthan Gum-Thickened Liquids. Dysphagia. 29(6), 678-684.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2014). Kinematic and temporal predictors of penetration-aspiration in liquid swallowing. Dysphagia. 29(2):269-276.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2014). Event Sequence Variability in Healthy Swallowing: Building on Previous Findings. Dysphagia. 29(2):234-242.
- Stokely, S. L., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. M. (2013). Effects of small changes in barium concentration on oropharyngeal swallow timing. Dysphagia. 29(1): 78-82.
- Fei, T., Cliffe Polacco, R., Hori, S., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Tsang, C. & Steele, C. M. (2013). Age-related differences in tongue-pressure for strength and swallowing tasks. Dysphagia. 28:575-581.
- Nagy, A., Leigh, C., Hori, S.F., Molfenter, S.M., Shariff, T., & Steele, C.M. (2013). Timing differences between cued and non-cued swallows in healthy adults. Dysphagia, 28(3), 428-434.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2013). The relationship between post-swallow residue and aspiration on the subsequent swallow: An application of the Normalized Residue Rating Scale. Dysphagia, 28(4), 494-500.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Cliffe Polacco, R., Hori, S., Oshalla, M., Molfenter, S. M. & Yeates, E. M. (2013). Outcomes of tongue-pressure strength and accuracy training for dysphagia following acquired brain injury. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. 15(5): 492-502.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2013). Variation in temporal measures of swallowing: Sex and volume effects. Dysphagia. 28(2), 226-233.
- Pearson, W. G. Jr., Molfenter, S. M., Smith, Z. M. & Steele, C. M. (2013). Image-based measurement of post-swallow residue: The normalized residue ratio scale. Dysphagia. 28(2), 167-177.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2012). Temporal Variability in the Deglutition Literature. Dysphagia, 27(2), 162-177.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2011). Physiological Variability in the Deglutition Literature: Hyoid and Laryngeal Kinematics. Dysphagia, 26(1), 67-74.
- Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G. L., Cliffe Polacco, R., Waito, A.A., Zoratto, D.C.B.H., & Chau, T. (2011). Validation of a brief swallow screening protocol against concurrent videofluoroscopy. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 35(3), 214-277.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Chau, T., Molfenter, S. M., Oshalla, M., Waito, A.A. & Zoratto, D. C. B. H. (2011). The relationship between hyoid and laryngeal displacement and swallowing impairment: A prospective radiological study. Clinical Otolaryngology.
- Waito, A., Bailey, G. L., Molfenter, S. M., Zoratto, D. C. & Steele, C. M. (2011). Voice-quality abnormalities as a sign of dysphagia: Validation against acoustic and videofluoroscopic data. Dysphagia, 26(2), 125-134.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G.L. & Molfenter, S.M. (2010). Tongue pressure modulation during swallowing: Water vs. nectar-thick liquids. Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 53(2), 273-283.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G.L., Molfenter, S. M., Yeates, E.M. & Grace-Martin, K. (2010). Pressure profile similarities between tongue resistance training tasks and liquid swallows. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 47(7), 651-660.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G.L. & Molfenter, S. M. (2010). Tongue pressure modulation during swallowing: Water vs. nectar-thick liquids. Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 53(2), 273-283.
- Molfenter, S. M., Ammoury, A., Yeates, E. M. & Steele, C. M. (2009). Decreasing the knowledge-to-action gap through research-clinical partnerships in speech-language pathology. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, 33(2), 82-88.
- Yeates, E. M., Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2008). Improvements in tongue strength and pressure-generation precision following a tongue-pressure training protocol in older individuals with dysphagia: Three case reports. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 3(4), 735-747.
Presentations
- Molfenter, S.M., Turcotte, M.C.,Herzberg, E.,& Balou, M. (2018). Quantifying pharyngeal edema over tie in head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation. Poster presented at the 8th European Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress. Sept 29, 2018. Dublin, Ireland [AWARDED: Best Poster Award]
- Brates, D.& Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Comparing Trial-to-Trial Hyoid Movement Variability between Young and Old Adults. Poster presented at the 8th European Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress. Sept 29, 2018. Dublin, Ireland
- Molfenter, S.M. & Pearson, W.G. (2018). Anatomic and Physiologic Targets for Intervention (invited). Charleston Swallowing Conference, Chicago, IL. July 12-14, 2018.
- Casper, ML, Davidson, K, & Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Swallowing Assessment & Treatment in the Skilled Nursing Environment (invited). Charleston Swallowing Conference, Chicago, IL. July 12-14, 2018.
- Molfenter, S.M.& Lazarus, C.L. (2018). Pharyngeal Atrophy in Healthy Aging: Consequences for Swallowing Function. Podium presentation at the 58th Annual NYSSLHA Convention. April 2018. Rocherster, NY.
- Brates, D., Molfenter, S.M., & Thibeault, S. (2018). Clinical Utility of Palpation For Assessing Hyolaryngeal Movement. Podium presentation at the 26th annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 2018. Baltimore, MD.
- Herzberg, E., Liang, W. Lazarus, C, Steele, C.M. & Molfenter, S.M. (2018). Swallow event sequencing: comparing healthy older to younger adults. Poster presentation at the 26th annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 2018. Baltimore, MD
- Blair, J., Suiter, D., Knigge, M., Molfenter, S.M. & Murray, J. (2017, Nov). Meet the Masters Symposium (invited). Under Pressure. Sponsored by Bracco. American Speech Language Hearing Convention. Los Angeles, CA. Nov 8, 2017.
- Molfenter, S.M., Casale, M., Lenell, C., Norman, S., Ottinger, E., Jung, I.Y. & Lazarus, CL. (2017, Nov). The Relationship Between Videofluoroscopic Measures of Swallowing and Tongue/Extremity Strength in Healthy Seniors. Poster presentation at the Annual ASHA Convention, November 9-11, 2017, Los Angeles, CA.
- Molfenter, S.M., Bancroft, J., Brates, D., Herzberg, E., Noorani, M. & Lazarus, C.L. (2017, Nov). Exploring the Relationship between EAT-10 Responses from Healthy Seniors and Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Outcomes. Poster presentation at the Annual ASHA Convention, November 9-11, 2017, Los Angeles, CA.
- Noorani, M. & Molfenter, S.M. (2017, Nov). The Relationship Between Swallowing Screening Results and Measures of Sarcopenia. Poster presentation at the Annual ASHA Convention, November 9-11, 2017, Los Angeles, CA.
- Molfenter, S.M., Hsu, C., Lu, Y., Sandler, C. & Lazarus, C. (2017, Sept). Changes in swallowing biomechanics and function in the context of Effortful Swallows in healthy elderly individuals. Oral presentation at the 7th European Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress. Sept 21-22, 2017. Barcelona, Spain.
- Riquelme, L.F. & Molfenter, S.M. (2017, Sept). Does swallowing a pill with thin liquids vs puree change swallowing safety and/or efficiency? Poster presentation at the 7th European Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress. Sept 21-22, 2017. Barcelona, Spain.
- Riquelme, L.F. & Molfenter, S.M. (2017, Sept). Exploring swallow efficiency and safety for thin-liquid and semi-solid boluses in persons with dementia. Poster presentation at the 7th European Society of Swallowing Disorders Congress. Sept 21-22, 2017. Barcelona, Spain.
- Foley, M., Iveson, K., Ligouri, M., Molfenter, S.M., Riquelme, L.F. (2017, May). Use of the NRRS to Determine Post-Swallow Pharyngeal Residue in Individuals with Dementia. Poster presentation at School of Health Sciences & Practice Research & Scholarship Day, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
- Dombkowski, C., Patel, D., Siko, A., Riquelme, L.F., Molfenter, S.M. (2017, May). Thin Liquids vs Semi-Solids: Comparing Post-Swallow Pharyngeal Residue with/without Pills Utilizing the NRRS. Poster presentation at School of Health Sciences & Practice Research & Scholarship Day, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
- Noorani, M., Lazarus, C., Molfenter, S.M. (2017, April). The relationship between swallowing screening and sarcopenia in healthy seniors. Poster accepted for presentation at the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association. April 20-22, 2017. Saratoga Spring, NY
- Turcotte, M., Balou, M. & Molfenter, S.M. (2017, March). Edema in oral/oroapharyngeal cancer treated with chemoradiation: Exploring risk for aspiration. Poster presented at the 25th Annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 3, 2017. Portland, OR.Brates, D., Riquelme, L.F., Sandler, C., & Molfenter, S.M. (2016, Nov). The reliability and efficiency of different methods for capturing post-swallow residue. Poster presented at the Annual ASHA Convention, November 17-19, 2016, Philadelphia, PA.
- Riquelme, L.F., Karim, A., Levy, M., Razmadze, S., Schundler, S., & Molfenter, S.M. (2016, Nov). Pharyngeal Residue: Comparisons with/without Pills Utilizing the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale (NRRS). Poster presented at the Annual ASHA Convention, November 17-19, 2016, Philadelphia, PA.
- Riquelme, L.F., Franceschelli, A., Lipinska, I., Rotberg, I., & Molfenter, S.M. (2016, Nov). Thin Liquids vs Semi-Solids: Comparisons Using the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale (NRRS) in Individuals with Dementia. Poster presented at the Annual ASHA Convention, November 17-19, 2016, Philadelphia, PA.
- Molfenter, S.M. Brates, D., & Riquelme, L.F. (2016, Oct). Comparing perceptual methods for rating residue with the normalized residue ratio scale. Poster presented at the European Society for Swallowing Disorders, October 14-15, 2016, Milan, Italy.
- Balou, M., Molfenter, S. M., Sanfilippo, N., Beverly, S., Lumish, M. (2016, May). Swallowing function after chemoradiation for head and neck cancer: A pre- versus post-treatment instrumental comparison. Abstract accepted for presentation at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (COSM). May 18-19, 2016. Chicago, IL.
- Molfenter, S. M. (2016, May). Acoustic Reflection Technology in Swallowing Research. NYU HealthTech 2016 Conference. New York, NY. May 7, 2016.
- Molfenter, S. M. (2016, April). Age-related Pharyngeal atrophy: Evidence from neck MRIs. 37th John F. Daly Day Visiting Professor Lecture Series presented by New York University School of Medicine. New York, NY. April 2, 2016.
- Riquelme, L., Davis, A., Dhillon, P., Johnston, E., Lee, S., Lovelett, L., Rush, T. & Molfenter, S. M. Examining post-swallow residue by bolus texture and swallow type. (2015, Oct). Accepted for poster presentation at the 5th Annual European Society for Swallowing Disorders Congress. Barcelona, Spain. Oct 2-3, 2015.
- Muss, L., Wilmskoetter, J., Richter, K., Fix, C., Stanschus, S., Drumm, J., Pitzen, T. & Molfenter, S. M. (2015, Oct). Videofluoroscopic changes in swallowing after anterior cervical spine surgery. Accepted for poster presentation at the 5th Annual European Society for Swallowing Disorders Congress. Barcelona, Spain. Oct 2-3, 2015.
- Johnston, E., Santander, M., Rush, T., Molfenter, S. M., Riquelme, L.F. (2015, Nov). Use of the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale to determine post-swallow residue in individuals with dementia. Poster accepted for presentation at ASHA Convention. November 2015. Denver, CO.
- Davis, A., Dhillon, P., Lee, S., Lovelett, L., Molfenter, S. M., Riquelme, L.F. (2015, Nov). Viscosity-dependent differences in post-swallow pharyngeal residue: Comparisons utilizing the Normalized Residue Ratio Scale (NRRS). Poster submitted for presentation at ASHA Convention. November 2015. Denver, CO.
- Molfenter, S. M., Amin, M., Branski, R., Brumm, J., Hagiwara, M., Roof, S. & Lazarus, C. (2015, March). Pharyngeal atrophy in the context of aging: A retrospective MRI analysis. Oral presentation at the 23rd annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. Chicago, IL. March 2015.
- Molfenter, S. M., Leigh, C. S. & Steele, C. M. (2014, March). The impact of bolus viscosity on healthy swallowing kinematics and timing. Poster presented at 22nd annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 5-8, 2014. Nashville, TN. Dysphagia, 29(6), 789.
- Stokely, S. L., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2014, March). The relationship between pharyngeal constriction and post-swallow residue. Podium presentation at 22nd annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 5-8, 2014. Nashville, TN. Dysphagia, 29(6), 737.
- Nagy, A., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Stokely, S. & Steele, C. M. (2014, March). The effect of bolus volume on hyoid kinematics. Podium presentation at 22nd annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 5-8, 2014. Nashville, TN. Dysphagia, 29(6), 741.
- Nagy, A., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Stokely, S. & Steele, C. M. (2014, March). The effect of bolus viscosity on hyoid kinematics. Podium presentation at 22nd annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 5-8, 2014. Nashville, TN. Dysphagia, 29(6), 742.
- Molfenter, S. M., Heidebrecht, L., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Pitzen, T., & Steele, C. M. (2013, May). A novel method for hyoid position measurement post cervical spine surgery. Poster presented at the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science Annual Research Day, University of Toronto. May 1, 2013. Toronto, ON.
- Leigh, C. S., Molfenter, S. M., Wang, H. & Steele, C. M. (2013, Nov). Sequence variability in healthy swallowing: A replication study. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. November 14-16, 2013. Chicago, IL.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2013, April). Understanding variability of swallowing on videofluoroscopy: Implications for clinical practice. Podium presentation at the Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Conference. April 24-27, 2013. Victoria, BC.
- Molfenter, S. M., Steele, C. M. (2013, March). Teasing apart contributions to variability in hyoid movement in swallowing. Poster presentation at the 21st annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 13-16, 2013. Seattle, WA. Dysphagia, 28(4), 600.
- Molfenter, S. M., Heidebrecht, L., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Pitzen, T., & Steele, C. M. (2013, March). A novel method for hyoid position measurement post cervical spine surgery. Poster presentation at the 21st annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 13-16, 2013. Seattle, WA. Dysphagia, 28(4), 632.
- Stokely, S. L., Hori, S. F., Leigh, C., Molfenter, S. M., Shariff, T., Tsang, C. & Steele, C. M. (2013, March). The effects of barium concentration on oropharyngeal swallow timing measures. Poster presentation at the 21st annual Dysphagia Research Society meeting. March 13-16, 2013. Seattle, WA. Dysphagia, 28(4), 643
- Yadollahi, A., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. M. (2013, March). Non-invasive acoustic pharyngometry measures of pharyngeal size are correlated with hyoid excursion. Poster presentation at the 21st annual Dysphagia Research Society meeting. March 13-16, 2013. Seattle, WA. Dysphagia, 28(4), 632.
- Nagy, A., Leigh, C., Hori, S., Molfenter, S. M., Shariff, T. & Steele, C. M. (2013, March). Timing differences between cued and non-cued swallows in healthy adults. Poster presentation at the 21st annual Dysphagia Research Society meeting. March 13-16, 2013. Seattle, WA. Dysphagia, 28(4), 633.
- Yadollahi, A., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. M., (2012, Nov). Relationship between non-invasive measures of pharyngeal size and hyoid excursion. Poster presentation at the Annual Toronto Rehabilitation Research Day. November 19, 2012. Toronto, ON.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2012, Oct). The association between post-swallow residue and aspiration on the next swallow. Oral presentation at the 2nd European Society for Swallowing Disorders Congress. October 25-27, 2012. Barcelona, Spain.
- Fei, T., Cliffe Polacco, R., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Tsang, C. & Steele, C. M. (2012, Marcy). Age-related differences in tongue-pressure release-slope for saliva and water swallows. Poster presentation at the 20th annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 7-10, 2012. Toronto, ON. Dysphagia, 27(4), 580.
- Steele, C. M., Bayley, M., Cichero, J., Cliffe Polacco, R., Colvin, C., James, D., Molfenter, S. M., Peladeau-Pigeon, M., Pelletier, C. & Tsang, C.(2012, March). Behavioral responses to incremental viscosity changes: Sensory-motor tipping points. Podium presentation at the 20th annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 7-10, 2012. Toronto, ON. Dysphagia, 27(4), 582.
- Steele, C. M., Hori, S. E., Molfenter, S. M. & Oshalla, M. (2012, March). Appreciating functional improvement using videofluoroscopy: A question of methodological perspective. Poster presentation. 20th annual meeting of the Dysphagia Research Society. March 7-10, 2012. Toronto, ON. Dysphagia, 27(4), 615.
- Steele, C. M., Bayley, M., Chau, T., Hori, S., Molfenter, S. M. & Peladeau-Pigeon, M. (2011, Nov). Tongue pressure training for dysphagia post stroke: A randomized clinical trial. Poster presentation. Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Annual Research Day. November 18, 2011. Toronto, ON.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2011, Nov). Factors affecting measures of hyoid excursion in swallowing. Poster presentation at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. November 19, 2011. San Diego, CA.
- Molfenter, S. M., Cliffe Polacco, R. & Steele, C. M. (2011, Sept). The validity of multiple swallows per bolus as a sign of swallowing impairment. Podium presentation at the 1st congress of the European Society for Swallowing Disorders. September 9-10, 2011. Leiden, the Netherlands. Dysphagia, 26(4), 478.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2011, June). Hyoid bone excursion in swallowing: Factors affecting measurement. Poster presentation at Festival of International Conferences on Aging and Technology Neurorehabilitation Conference. June 5-8, 2011. Toronto, ON.
- Steele, C. M., Cliffe Polacco, R. E., Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G. M., Oshalla, M., Yeates, E. M. (2011, June). Treating dysphagia with tongue-pressure strength and accuracy training. Festival of International Conferences on Aging and Technology Neurorehabilitation Conference. June 5-8, 2011. Toronto, ON.
- Steele, C. M., Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G., Oshalla, M., & Yeates, E. (2011, March). Tongue-pressure strength and accuracy training (TPSAT) for thin liquid dysphagia. Oral presentation. 19th annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 2-5, 2011. San Antonio, Texas. Dysphagia, 26(4), 442.
- Waito, A. A., Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2010, Nov). Hyolaryngeal movement should be measured in the context of height. Poster presentation. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. November 18, 2010. Philadelphia, PA.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2010, April). Factors affecting measurement and interpretation of hyoid movement in swallowing. Poster presentation at Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists & Audiologists Conference. April 28, 2011. Montreal, QC
- Molfenter, S., Zoratto, D., Waito, A., Chau, T., & Steele, C. (2010, May). Correlation of hyoid and laryngeal movement during swallowing: Implications for safety. Poster presentation. Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health’s Young Investigators Forum. May 5-7, 2010, Vancouver.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2010, April). Hyoid and laryngeal movement in swallowing: Are they positively correlated? Poster presentation. Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science Annual Research Day, University of Toronto. April 28, 2010. Toronto, ON.
- Steele, C. M., Chau, T., Bailey, G. L., Bennett, J., Buesselberg, N., Cliffe, R. E., Molfenter, S. M., Takeuchi, M., Waito, A., Weeda, A. & Zoratto, D. (2010, March). Sensitivity and specificity of a standardized swallow screening protocol: Validation against concurrent videofluoroscopy. Oral presentation. 18th annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 3-6, 2010. San Diego, CA. Dysphagia, 25(4), 359.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Cliffe, R. E., Griffin, M., Kates, B., Molfenter, S. M., Moore, M. & Waito, A. (2010, March). Age-related differences in tongue pressure modulation between water and nectar-thick juice swallows. Poster presentation. 18th annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 3-6, 2010. San Diego, CA. Dysphagia, 25(4), 396.
- Waito, A., Bailey, G. L., Molfenter, S. M., & Steele, C. M. (2010, March). Voice quality abnormalities as a sign of dysphagia: Validation against acoustic and videofluoroscopic data. Poster presentation. 18th annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 3-6, 2010. San Diego, CA. Dysphagia, 25(4), 384.
- Molfenter, S. M., Zoratto, D., Waito, A., Chau, T., & Steele, C. M. (2010, March). Hyoid and laryngeal movement in swallowing: Are they positively correlated? Poster presentation. 18th annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 3-6, 2010. San Diego, CA. Dysphagia, 25(4), 393.
- Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2010, March). Maladaptive physiological changes in a case of profound, chronic dysphagia. Poster presentation. 18th annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 3-6, 2010. San Diego, CA. Dysphagia, 25(4), 394.
- Steele, C. M., Bailey, G. L., Cliffe, R. E., Molfenter, S. M. & Yeates, E. M. (2009, Nov). Performance on tongue pressure accuracy tasks in healthy young adults. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. November 20, 2009. New Orleans, LA.
- Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G. L. & Steele, C. M. (2009, Nov). Physiologically targeted treatment for three complex patients with UES difficulties. Podium presentation at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Convention. November 21, 2009. New Orleans, LA.
- Molfenter, S. M., Bailey, G., Buesselberg, N., Cliffe, R. E., Yeates, E. M. & Steele, C. M. (2009, March). Outcomes of a tongue pressure exercise treatment protocol in acquired neurogenic dysphagia. Poster presentation. 17th Annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 4-7, 2009. New Orleans, LA. Dysphagia, 24(4), 467.
- Yeates, E. M., Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2008, March). A preliminary investigation of the impact of tongue pressure generation exercises on bolus control.Poster presentation at the 16th Annual Dysphagia Research Society Meeting. March 5-8, 2008. Charleston, SC. Dysphagia, 23(4) 456.
- Molfenter, S. M., Yeates, E.M., Arabia, E., Boyko, M., Miller, D., Nguyen, S. & Steele, C. M. (2008, Feb). Service delivery innovation: A partnership between clinical speech-language pathologists and the research team.Poster presentation. 2008 Greater Toronto Area Rehabilitation Network Best Practices Day. February 27, 2008. Toronto, ON.
- Yeates, E.M., Molfenter, S. M. & Steele, C. M. (2007, Nov). The impact of sEMG biofeedback guided effortful swallows and Mendelsohn maneuvers on neurogenic dysphagia rehabilitation: A pilot study. Poster Presentation. Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Annual Research Day. November 28, 2007. Toronto, ON.
- Molfenter, S. M., Yeates, E. M. & Steele, C. M. (2007, Nov). Investigating the role of tongue pressure generation exercises in swallowing: A preliminary case example. Poster Presentation. Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Annual Research Day. November 28, 2007. Toronto, ON.
- Tagliamonte, S. & Molfenter, S. M. (2005, Aug). Kids in new contexts: Acquiring a 2nd dialect of the same language. Oral presentation. Methods in Dialectology XII. Aug 1-5, 2005. Moncton, NB.
- Tagliamonte, S., King, M., & Molfenter, S. M. (2004, Oct). Taking it to the streets! A sociolinguistic survey of old-line Toronto. Poster presentation. New Ways of Analyzing Variation 33. Oct 1, 2004. Ann Arbor, MI.
Courses Taught
- CSCD-GE 2060 - Dysphagia in Children and Adults
- CSCD-GE 2068 - Instrumental Assessment and Treatment of Dysphagia
- CSCD-GE 2420 - Communicative Sciences and Disorders Research Colloquium
- CSCD-UE 0008 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism
- CSCD-GE 3400 - Doctoral Seminar
- CSCD-GE 2800 - Research Colloquium
Boards
- Dysphagia Research Society: Board of DirectorsCouncilor 2018-2020