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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 research focuses on naturally-occurring muscle loss in the pharynx as the result of aging. Dr. Molfenter's work aims to understand the impact of these age-related changes on swallowing function and explore methods to prevent or reverse these changes. Dr. Molfenter also studies changes to swallowing function after cervical spine surgery.

Selected Publications

Courses

Communicative Sciences and Disorders Research Colloquium I

This course provides a forum for the presentation of research by eminent researchers in the field of communication sciences and disorders and related disciplines. Students and professional participants are invited to comment, ask questions, and engage in an array of topics in basic science as well as clinical areas. Research papers will be read in advance to prepare for upcoming colloquia. Students in the course will develop their writing skills and learn to formally and concisely write papers about research in CSD.
Course #
CSCD-GE 2420
Credits
0 - 1
Department
Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Dysphagia in Adults and Children

Description of swallowing disorders in adults and children associated with various structural, neurological, and behavioral disorders. Assessment and remediating approaches will be addressed.
Course #
CSCD-GE 2060
Credits
3
Department
Communicative Sciences and Disorders

Instrumental Assessment & Treatment of Dysphagia

This problem-based learning course introduces graduate students to instrumental tools used in the evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders (other than gold-standard videofluoroscopic and endoscopic methods). Students will actively engage in problem-based learning in a group setting and present findings to their peers. This course exposes students to a variety of current instrumental tools for the assessment/treatment of swallowing disorders and promotes the development of life-long learning skills.
Course #
CSCD-GE 2068
Credits
2
Department
Communicative Sciences and Disorders