ROSEMARY A. LESTER, M.A., CCC-SLP Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences University of Arizona P.O. Box 210071 Tucson, Arizona 85721 (520) 621-1644 ralester@email.arizona.edu EDUCATION Ph.D. anticipated August 2014 July 2014 University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, AZ Major: Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Minor: Neuroscience Certificate in College Teaching: Office of Instruction and Assessment M.A. 2007 Indiana University (IU), Bloomington, IN Major: Speech and Hearing Sciences B.A. 2004 University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, NM Major: Speech and Hearing Sciences Minor: Psychology HONORS AND AWARDS 2012-2014 National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Individual Predoctoral Fellows (F31-DC012697) 2014 Graduate Student Scholarship/Research Award, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, College of Science, UA 2014 Galileo Circle Scholarship ($1000), College of Science, UA 2013 Dystonia Coalition Travel Award ($750), NS065701 2013 Student Travel Awards ($500, $500), Graduate and Professional Student Council, UA 2013 Student Travel Awards ($300, $300, $300), Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA 2013 Graduate Student Scholarship/Research Award, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, College of Science, UA 2013 Galileo Circle Scholarship ($1000), College of Science, UA 2012 Student Travel Awards ($300, $100), Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA 2012 Course Fellowship-Travel Award, Course in Integrated Neuroscience, International Graduate School in Integrated Neuroscience, University of Bergen, Norway 2012 Conference Fellowship-Travel Award, Lessons for Success Research Conference: Developing the Emerging Scientist, American Speech-Language- Hearing Association 2012 Graduate Student Teaching Award, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, College of Science, UA 2012 Galileo Circle Scholarship ($1000), College of Science, UA 2009-2012 Research Assistantship, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA 2011 Student Travel Award ($300), Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA 2011 Thomas J. Hixon Student Research Award ($492) 2009 Award for Continuing Education (ACE), ASHA 2007 Outstanding Student Clinician Award for Speech-Language Pathology, Psi Iota Xi, IU
2005-2006 Graduate Assistantship, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, IU 2004 University Honors Program Summa Cum Laude, UNM 2000-2004 Presidential Scholarship, UNM 2003 Golden Key International Honour Society 2003 The Honor Society of Phi Beta Kappa 2002 Lena Clauve Memorial Scholarship, UNM 2001 Jenny Ames Memorial Scholarship, UNM 2001 Outstanding Leadership Award, Residence Hall Association, UNM 2001 Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society 2000 Bridge to Success Scholarship, UNM 2000 Manuel Lujan Excellence in Education Scholarship, Albuquerque Community Foundation 2000-2004 UNM Dean s List (8 semesters) PUBLICATIONS Lester, R.A., & Story, B.H. (in preparation). Acoustical bases for the perception of vibrato as a model of vocal tremor. Lester, R.A., & Story, B.H. (in preparation). Acoustical bases for the perception of simulated laryngeal vocal tremor. Carbonell, K.M., Lester, R.A., Lotto, A.J., & Story, B.H. (in review). Discriminating simulated vocal tremor source using amplitude modulation spectra. Lester, R.A., & Hoit, J.D. (2014). Nasal and oral inspiration during natural speech breathing. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 57(3), 734-742. Lester, R.A., & Story, B.H. (2013). Modulation of voice related to simulated vocal fold length change with cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscle activation. Proceedings of the 10 th International Conference on Advances in Quantitative Laryngology, Voice and Speech Research, 63-64. Lester, R.A., Barkmeier-Kraemer, J., & Story, B.H. (2013). Physiologic and acoustic patterns of essential vocal tremor. Journal of Voice, 27(4), 422-432. Lester, R.A., & Story, B.H. (2013). Acoustic characteristics of simulated respiratory-induced vocal tremor. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22(2), 205-211. Cipriani, N.A., Martin, D.E., Corey, J.P., Portugal, L., Caballero, N., Lester, R., Anthony, B., & Taxy, J.B. (2011). The clinicopathologic spectrum of benign mass lesions of the vocal fold due to vocal abuse. International Journal of Surgical Pathology, 19(5), 583-587. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Predoctoral Trainee, Speech Acoustics Laboratory, UA August 2012- present Advisor: Brad Story, Ph.D. Project Title: Modulation of Voice Related to Tremor and Vibrato Purpose: to determine how the acoustic characteristics associated with laryngeal-based vocal tremor affect the perception of the magnitude of voice modulation, and to
determine if adjustments can be made to the voice source and vocal tract filter to alter the acoustic output and reduce the perception of modulation Graduate Research Assistant, Speech Acoustics Laboratory, UA May 2011 - August 2012 Advisor: Brad Story, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Project Title: Modulation of Voice Related to Tremor and Vibrato Purpose: to determine how the acoustic characteristics associated with laryngeal-based vocal tremor affect the perception of the magnitude of voice modulation, and to determine if adjustments can be made to the voice source and vocal tract filter to alter the acoustic output and reduce the perception of modulation Doctoral Student Laboratory Rotation, Motor Control Laboratory, UA August 2012 August 2013 Advisor: Andrew Fuglevand, Ph.D. Project Title: Firing Rate of Biceps Motor Units During Maximum Effort Contractions Purpose: to identify the saturation of firing rate in motor neurons during normal muscle contraction and to learn techniques for surface and intramuscular recording of motor unit activity Doctoral Student Laboratory Rotation, Speech Acoustics Laboratory, UA May 2010 August 2012 Advisor: Brad Story, Ph.D. Project Title: Acoustic Characteristics of Respiratory-Induced Vocal Tremor Purpose: to investigate the characteristics of the fundamental frequency and intensity for a range of applied pressure modulations Doctoral Student Laboratory Rotation, Speech Research Laboratory, UA December 2010 April 2013 Advisor: Jeannette Hoit, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Project Title: Oral and Nasal Inspiration During Natural Speech Breathing Purpose: to determine the normal pattern of inspiration in healthy adults for a variety of speaking tasks Graduate Research Assistant, Voice and Swallowing Laboratory, UA August 2009 - May 2011 Advisor: Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Project Title: Physiologic and Acoustic Patterns of Essential Vocal Tremor Purpose: to determine the underlying laryngeal physiology associated with vocal tremor in individuals diagnosed with essential tremor and to compare the acoustic measures of vocal tremor from clinically affected individuals to those from a simulated model of vocal tremor Graduate Research Assistant, Speech Acoustics Laboratory, IU August - November 2006 Assisted Karen Forrest, Ph.D. in conducting experiments to assess the validity and reliability of oral-motor measures in diagnosing speech disorders, evaluate the efficacy of treatment protocols, and determine criteria to differentiate phonological from motor speech disorders Assessed participants speech and language skills using standardized and nonstandardized test measures; conducted experimental speech therapy to improve target sound productions of children ages 3 to 6 years old with phonological and articulation disorders Graduate Research Assistant, Voice Physiology Laboratory, IU May - August 2006 Assisted Theresa Burnett, Ph.D., CCC-SLP in conducting experimental procedures to study voluntary and reflexive mechanisms for voice control
Gathered and analyzed behavioral and acoustic data; performed data analyses using Praat speech analysis software and Igor Pro data analysis software TEACHING EXPERIENCE Adjunct Instructor Lester, R.A. (Spring 2014). SPH 557: Dysphagia, UA, Tucson, AZ. Preceptor Lester, R.A. (Spring 2012). SPH 261: Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism, UA, Tucson, AZ. Independently taught two laboratory sections each week to support students understanding of information covered in course lectures given by Dr. Story Lester, R.A. (Fall 2011). SPH 572: Voice Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Presented six lectures on laryngeal anatomy, neural control of phonation, respiration for phonation, vocal tract resonance, and neurological voice disorders with the guidance and feedback of Dr. Story Guest Lecturer Lester, R.A. (April, 2014). Research Misconduct. SLHS 649: Survival Skills and Ethics, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (April, 2014). Improving vocal health in singers with voice therapy. Music 510: Pedagogy, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (March, 2014). Grants and Grantspersonship Panel. SLHS 649: Survival Skills and Ethics, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (February, 2014). Ethical considerations in speech, language, and hearing research. SLHS 500: Introduction to Research Methods in Speech and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (December, 2013). Maintaining Vocal Health in Teachers. Music 250: Introduction to Music Education, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (November, 2013). The physiological, acoustical, and perceptual characteristics of vocal tremor. SLHS 575: Neuromotor Speech Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A., & Black, M. (April, 2013). Voice Evaluation and Treatment. Music 550: Advanced Studies in Teaching: Science-Based Voice Education, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (April, 2013). Modulation of Voice Related to Tremor and Vibrato. SLHS 267: Acoustics, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (April, 2013). Research Misconduct. SLHS 649: Survival Skills and Ethics, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (February, 2013). Grants and Grantspersonship Panel. SLHS 649: Survival Skills and Ethics, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (November, 2012). Maintaining Vocal Health in Teachers. Music 250: Introduction to Music Education, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (October, 2012). Voice Case Studies. SPH 572: Voice Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (October, 2012). Evaluating and Treating the Professional Voice User. SPH 572: Voice Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (October, 2012). Evaluation and Treatment of Voice. SPH 477: Adult Communication Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (October, 2012). Normal and Disordered Voice. SPH 477: Adult Communication Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (April, 2012). Evaluating Voice. SPH 512: Evaluation Process in Speech- Language Pathology, UA, Tucson, AZ.
Lester, R.A. (October, 2011). Disordered Swallowing. SPH 207: Survey of Human Communication and Its Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (October, 2011). Disorders of Voice. SPH 207: Survey of Human Communication and Its Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (September, 2011). Disorders of Voice. SPH 477: Communication Disorders I, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (November, 2010). Evaluating and Treating the Professional Voice User. SPH 572: Voice Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (October, 2010). Disorders of Voice. SPH 207: Survey of Human Communication and Its Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (September, 2010). Evaluation and Treatment of Voice. SPH 477: Adult Communication Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (September, 2010). Normal and Disordered Voice. SPH 477: Adult Communication Disorders, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A., & Nickerson, L.A. (February, 2010). Review of Anatomy and Physiology of Deglutition. SPH 577: Dysphagia, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A., & Nickerson, L.A. (February, 2010). Anatomy and Physiology of Deglutition: Pharyngeal Stage. SPH 577: Dysphagia, UA, Tucson, AZ. Graduate Associate Instructor, S444: Voice and Fluency in Children, IU, Bloomington, IN January - May 2006 Assisted professors Theresa Burnett, Ph.D. and Julie Anderson, Ph.D. in course-related duties including grading exams and assignments; supported students understanding of course-related information and assignments Graduate Associate Instructor, S436: Language Disorders in Children, IU, Bloomington, IN August - December 2005 Assisted professor Phil Connell, Ph.D. in course-related duties including writing and grading exams and assignments; supported students understanding of course-related information and assignments PRESENTATIONS/POSTERS Lester, R.A. (July, 2014). Neurogenic voice disorders. Otolaryngology Resident Grand Rounds, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (July, 2014). Physiology of swallowing. Otolaryngology Resident Grand Rounds, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (February, 2014). Ethical considerations in speech, language, and hearing research. Colloquium, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (December, 2013). Neurogenic disorders of voice: Clinical and research perspectives. Neurology Grand Rounds, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ. Lester, R.A. (November, 2013). Neurogenic disorders of voice and swallowing: Clinical and research perspectives. Otorhinolaryngology Grand Rounds, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ. Lester, R.A. (November, 2013). The physiological, acoustical, and perceptual characteristics of vocal tremor. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Chicago, IL.
Lester, R.A., Story, B.H. (June, 2013). Modulation of voice related to simulated vocal fold length change with cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscle activation. Poster presented at the Advances in Quantitative Laryngology, Voice and Speech Research, Cincinnati, OH. Lester, R.A., Story, B.H. (June, 2013). Modulation of voice related to tremor and vibrato. Poster presented at the Voice Foundation Symposium, Philadelphia, PA. Black, M., & Lester, R.A. (March, 2013). Presbyphonia: Impact of voice changes on the aging larynx. Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ. Bunton, K., Lester, R.A., Chong, C., Faux, C, Hoit, J. (March, 2013). Applications of nasal ram pressure for evaluating velopharyngeal function. Colloquium, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Carbonell, K.M., Story, B.H., Lester, R.A., Lotto, A.J. (October, 2012). Discriminating vocal tremor source from amplitude envelope modulations. Poster presented at the 164 th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Kansas City, KS. (Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 132(3), 2090) Lester, R.A., & Dysinger, A. (October, 2012). Introduction to normal swallowing function, clinical evaluation of swallowing, and acute dysphagia management. National Student Speech- Language-Hearing Association Forum, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (September, 2012). Modulation of the voice related to tremor and vibrato. Colloquium, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A., & Hoit, J.D. (April, 2012). Oral vs. nasal breathing during natural speech production. Poster presented at Colloquium, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A., & Hoit, J.D. (April, 2012). Oral vs. nasal breathing during natural speech production. Poster presented at the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Annual Convention, Phoenix, AZ. Lester, R.A., & Story, B.H. (March, 2012). Acoustic characteristics of respiratory-induced vocal tremor. Poster presented at the Conference on Motor Speech, Santa Rosa, CA. Lester, R.A. (October, 2011). Acoustic characteristics of respiratory-induced vocal tremor. Colloquium, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (April, 2011). Oral vs. nasal breathing during natural speech production. Speech Physiology Laboratories Meeting, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (April, 2010). Investigation of the laryngeal physiology of vocal tremor in individuals with essential tremor. Poster presented at Colloquium, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (March, 2010). Investigation of the laryngeal physiology of vocal tremor in individuals with essential tremor. Speech Physiology Laboratories Meeting, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ.
Lester, R.A. (December, 2009). Clinical evaluation of vocal tremor research. Speech Physiology Laboratories Meeting, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, UA, Tucson, AZ. Lester, R.A. (December-February, 2008). Voice anatomy and physiology, voice disorders, voice evaluation, voice treatment. Voice Education Series, Speech Pathology Department, Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA. Lester, R.A. (December, 2008). Dysphagia, aspiration, and feeding protocol implementation. Nursing Orientation, Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA. Lester, R.A. (November, 2008). Speech and swallowing after stroke. Life After Stroke Community Seminar, Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA. Lester, R.A. (August, 2008). Respiratory muscle strength training. Skills Day, Speech Pathology Department, Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA. Lester, R.A. (September, 2007). Augmentative and alternative communication. Special Education Teacher In-Service, William Perry Elementary School, Fishersville, VA. PEER REVIEW EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing, 2014 Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2013, 2014 Motor Speech Conference Proposals for Oral and Poster Presentations, 2013 Graduate and Professional Student Association Travel Grant Applications, UA, 2013, 2014 American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 2012, 2013 Institutional Review Board Applications for Human Research, SLHS, UA, 2012-2013 CLINICAL WORK EXPERIENCE Speech-Language Pathologist, Outpatient and Inpatient Therapy, Northwest Medical Center, Tucson, AZ July 2012 June 2014 Evaluate and treat adults with voice and swallowing disorders in an outpatient clinic setting June 2010 June 2014 Evaluate and treat adults with swallowing, speech, language, cognitive, and voice disorders in an acute care setting Speech-Language Pathologist, Outpatient Therapy, University of Arizona Medical Center, Tucson, AZ August 2012 March 2013 Established an outpatient voice program, trained a clinical fellow in speech-language pathology on evaluation and treatment of voice, evaluated and treated adults with voice disorders in an outpatient clinic setting Speech-Language Pathologist, Therapy Department, Augusta Health, Fishersville, VA June 2007 - July 2009 Evaluated and treated pediatric and adult patients with speech, language, cognitive, swallowing, and voice disorders in acute and subacute care, inpatient rehabilitation, short-term skilled nursing, and outpatient settings Performed and interpreted modified barium swallow studies
Speech-Language Pathology Student Clinician, Voice Center, University of Chicago Hospital, Chicago, IL March - May 2007 Evaluated and treated patients with voice disorders under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologist Daniel Martin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Performed videostroboscopic examinations, nasometry, and acoustic analyses of voice using VisiPitch software Speech-Language Pathology Student Clinician, Yates Elementary, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL January - March 2007 Evaluated and treated students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with speech, language, and cognitive disorders under the supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists Speech-Language Pathology Student Clinician, Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, IU, Bloomington, IN August 2005 - December 2006 Evaluated and treated children and adults with speech, language, cognitive, and voice disorders in clinic and nursing home settings under the supervision of licensed speechlanguage pathologists Speech-Language Pathology Apprentice, Navajo Elementary, Albuquerque Public Schools, Albuquerque, NM August 2004 May 2005 Provided speech and language therapy with the support of a supervising speechlanguage pathologist Screened speech and language skills and reported results to the supervising speechlanguage pathologist PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, American Speech- Language-Hearing Association, April 2008 to present Arizona State License in Speech-Language Pathology, Arizona Department of Health Services, November 2009 to present MEMBERSHIPS American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), June 2007 to present ASHA Special Interest Group 3 for Voice and Voice Disorders, January 2009 to present Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, April 2012 to present SPECIAL TRAININGS Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) LOUD Training and Certification Course, University of Arizona, May 2014 Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImp) Online Student Training, Spring 2014 Langmore Foundation Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Course, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Boston University, October 2013 Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy Training, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, April 2008 ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Multi-Institutional Voice Research Rounds, October 2010 to March 2014 Science Educators Group, October-December 2010
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Alumnae Advisory Committee, Arizona Alpha Chapter, UA, February 2011 to December 2012 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Volunteer, January 2010-January 2011 CONTINUING EDUCATION Mayo Clinic Southwest Laryngology and Voice Rehabilitation Conference, Phoenix, AZ, April 2014 Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Tucson, AZ, January 2011, 2013, 2014 Fall Voice Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 2013 Creating a Funding Roadmap, Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, UA, September 2013 Ventilator-Supported Speaking and Swallowing Workshop, Grunewald-Blitz Clinic for Communication Disorders, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, May 2013. Oncology Session, ENT in the Desert, Tucson, AZ, March 2013 Current Trends in Assessment and Treatment of Motor Speech Disorders, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, February 2013 Graduate Interdisciplinary Program Seminar, Biomedical Engineering, UA, August 2012 Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association Annual Convention, Phoenix, AZ, April 2012 Vocal Care Update: Assessment and Treatment of Voice Disorders, Northwest Medical Center, October 2011 Brain Mapping Workshops, UA, August to December 2011 Modified Barium Swallow Studies, Northwest Medical Center, March 2011 Cerebrovascular Accidents, Northwest Medical Center, January 2011 Grand Rounds, Department of Otolaryngology, University Medical Center, UA, Fall 2010 to Spring 2011 Grunewald-Blitz Workshop, Speech Sound Disorders in Children: Cleft Palate and Childhood Apraxia of Speech, UA, September 2010 Diverticulum Repair, Northwest Medical Center, September 2010 Modified Barium Swallow Study or Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Northwest Medical Center, September 2010 Neural Data Analysis Workshops, UA, June 2010 Colloquium, Department of Neuroscience, UA, Spring 2010 to present Matlab for Graduate Students Workshops, UA, November to December 2009 Aphasia, Northwest Medical Center, November 2009 Data Blitz, Department of Neuroscience, UA, September 2009, November 2010, October 2011 Anthony B. DeFeo Lecture in Speech-Language Pathology, September 2009, August 2010, 2011 Colloquium, Department of SLHS, UA, Fall 2009 to present Neurological Emergencies, PESI HealthCare, Roanoke, VA, October 2008 ASHA Health Care Convention, St. Louis, MO, April 2008; Bethesda, MD, April 2009 Vital Stim Therapy Certification Seminar, Charlotte, NC, January 2008 Managing Cleft Palate and Pierre Robin Sequence: Fundamentals for Parents and Therapists, Riley Children s Hospital, Indianapolis, IN, May 2006 Southwest Conference on Communicative Disorders, Albuquerque, NM, March 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 The Science of Singing Workshops, Clayne W. Robison, Albuquerque, NM, Summer 2000