Paige DiStefano is a doctoral trainee in the Aging Swallow Research Lab. Paige is dedicated to investigating and improving the patient and caregiver experience with dysphagia. Paige’s areas of interest include aging, caregiver burden, modified diets, and advocacy related to goals of care. Previously, she worked as an acute care speech-language pathologist at the University of Washington in Seattle and completed her clinical fellowship year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Paige DiStefano is a doctoral trainee in the Aging Swallow Research Lab. Paige is dedicated to investigating and improving the patient and caregiver experience with dysphagia. Paige’s areas of interest include aging, caregiver burden, modified diets, and advocacy related to goals of care. Previously, she worked as an acute care speech-language pathologist at the University of Washington in Seattle and completed her clinical fellowship year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Sima Farpour, PhD has an MSc in speech therapy and swallowing disorders and her doctoral work was focused in neuroscience. She is a postdoctoral fellow in the Aging Swallow Research Lab at McMaster University. Her overarching research goal is to complement classic rehabilitation strategies with new neurorehabilitation techniques to increase the efficacy and effectiveness of dysphagia therapies. Her current research focuses on:

1. Analyzing swallowing function in healthy adults and those with disease
2. Studying volumetric and bolus administration method comparisons in these populations
3. Analyzing spinal curvature in healthy adults

Sima is highly motivated to provide clinicians with high-quality scientific evidence to help them make the best decisions about delivering care to patients with dysphagia. Her ultimate goal is to decrease the burden of dysphagia on patients, families, caregivers and society.

Sima Farpour, PhD has an MSc in speech therapy and swallowing disorders and her doctoral work was focused in neuroscience. She is a postdoctoral fellow in the Aging Swallow Research Lab at McMaster University. Her overarching research goal is to complement classic rehabilitation strategies with new neurorehabilitation techniques to increase the efficacy and effectiveness of dysphagia therapies. Her current research focuses on:

1. Analyzing swallowing function in healthy adults and those with disease
2. Studying volumetric and bolus administration method comparisons in these populations
3. Analyzing spinal curvature in healthy adults

Sima is highly motivated to provide clinicians with high-quality scientific evidence to help them make the best decisions about delivering care to patients with dysphagia. Her ultimate goal is to decrease the burden of dysphagia on patients, families, caregivers and society.

Anittha Mappanasingam is a graduate trainee in the Aging Swallow Research Lab. Anittha has completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree at McMaster where she studied life science and she minored in psychology. Anittha’s research interests surround physical exercise and swallowing, specifically as it relates to the older adult population. Her research project involves confirming the association between frailty and swallowing in older adult population.

Anittha Mappanasingam is a graduate trainee in the Aging Swallow Research Lab. Anittha has completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree at McMaster where she studied life science and she minored in psychology. Anittha’s research interests surround physical exercise and swallowing, specifically as it relates to the older adult population. Her research project involves confirming the association between frailty and swallowing in older adult population.

Sophia Werden Abrams is a speech-language pathologist and doctoral trainee in the Aging Swallow Research Lab. Sophia has a master’s in music from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a master’s in science in speech-language pathology from McMaster University. Sophia’s research, funded by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, is focused on investigating factors associated with hydration and fluid intake of long-term care residents with dysphagia. Sophia is passionate about clinically meaningful research where interdisciplinary collaboration and patient co-design are central.

Sophia Werden Abrams is a speech-language pathologist and doctoral trainee in the Aging Swallow Research Lab. Sophia has a master’s in music from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a master’s in science in speech-language pathology from McMaster University. Sophia’s research, funded by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, is focused on investigating factors associated with hydration and fluid intake of long-term care residents with dysphagia. Sophia is passionate about clinically meaningful research where interdisciplinary collaboration and patient co-design are central.