Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald

 

 

McMaster University

Principal Investigator: Understanding the how frailty and physical function are related to swallowing impairments in older adults (ECR2022-03)

Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, PhD, SLP(C), CCC-SLP, Reg. CASLPO is a licensed speech-language pathologist and Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. Her overarching research goal is to develop a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to the management of swallowing impairments in older adults that unites the biomedical and psychosocial aspects of care. Her current research focuses on: 1) developing multidisciplinary interventions to prevent impairment and maintain swallowing function in older adults; 2) understanding dysphagia in older adults with dementia; and 3) understanding dysphagia-related caregiver burden in caregivers of older adults.

Ashwini is highly motivated to conduct clinically salient research that impacts patient care to improve health and quality of life. She was also the 2020 recipient of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Early Career Contributions in Research award, never before given to someone working outside of the United States.