On-going Projects
In an effort to gain a better understanding of articulatory movements in various groups of speakers including people with dysarthria (secondary to Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and L2 speakers of English, we use an electromagnetic articulography (EMA) system. The system localizes and tracks the positions of transducers attached to important articulators in speech production (e.g., lips, tongue, and jaw) using magnetic fields (Funded by NIH F31 DC020121).
We still have only a very limited understanding of the role of native languages in manifestation of dysarthria characteristics. Answering questions about this is essential for understanding the general nature of dysarthria with respect to the interaction between sound systems and motor control deficits. This will emphasize dysarthria as a communication disorder that actively interplays with speech sounds rather than a comorbidity disorder accompanying neurological disease (Funded by NIH R03 DC012405 and R01 DC020468).
We use ultrasonic imaging tools to investigate the dorsal surface of the tongue and the surface of the lateral pharyngeal walls for stop consonant productions in both typical and atypical speakers including L2 speakers of English.
Grants & Awards
Kim, Y-J. (PI). Toward a speech rehabilitation model for linguistically and culturally minor groups: Foreign born immigrants. NIH-NIDCD, R01 020468, $932,094, 2023-2026.
Kim, Y-J. (mPI). Development of speech rehabilitation software for persons with dysarthria secondary to stroke. Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), HI22 C0736, $1,226,691, 2022-2024.
Thompson, A. (PI). A multidimensional study on articulation deficits in Parkinson’s disease. NIH-NIDCD. F31 DC020121, $94,720, 2021-2023.
Kim, Y-J. (PI). Vowel impairments in people with Parkinson’s disease. Focusing on variability. The Committee on Faculty Research Support (COFRS), FSU Council on Research Creativity, $18,000, 2021.
Thompson, A. New Century Doctoral Scholarship from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. $10,000, 2020.
Kim, Y-J. (PI). Articulatory modifications across speaking modes, LA Board of Regent Support Fund, $18,388, 2019-2020.
Kim, Y-J. (mPI). Application of ultrasound imaging to speech-language pathology, LSU Student Technology Fee Support, $45,692, 2018.
Kim, Y-J. (PI). Speech kinematics in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. LSU Faculty Research Grant, $10,000, 2016-2017.
Kim, Y-J. (PI). The same dysarthria in different languages: hypokinetic dysarthria in English and Korean. NIH-NIDCD R03 012405, $426,999, 2012-2017.
Kim, Y-J. (PI). Articulatory kinematics research using an electromagnetic system, LSU Humanities and Social Sciences Support for New Technology, $55,890, 2015.
Kim, Y-J. (co-I). Identifying the vocal markers of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (PI: Cohen). NIH-NIMH, R03 092622, $254,200, 2011-2014.