This Is Purdue Podcast Summary

Episode: Purdue Research Series | A Look Into Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Innovations With Preeti Sivasankar
Release Date: August 22, 2024
Host: Kate Young
Guest: Preity Sivasankar, Vice President for Research Innovation and Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this enlightening episode of "This Is Purdue," host Kate Young engages in a deep conversation with Preity Sivasankar, Purdue University's Vice President for Research Innovation and a distinguished professor in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. The discussion delves into the multifaceted world of speech and hearing research, highlighting Purdue's leadership in these fields and exploring the societal impacts of their work.

2. Guest Introduction: Preity Sivasankar

Preity Sivasankar, a Purdue alumna with nearly two decades at the university, has been pivotal in advancing Purdue’s reputation in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Under her leadership, the department has achieved notable rankings, including the number two speech language pathology program and number eight audiology program in the nation.

3. Role as Vice President for Research Innovation

Preity outlines her vision for research innovation at Purdue, emphasizing the importance of high-impact scholarly and creative activities that transform society. She states:

"[Research innovation] is work that transforms society, that increases society's knowledge, but it doesn't necessarily have to be translational. It spans bench to bedside, really basic work to work that can be immediately applied."
— Preity Sivasankar [03:08]

She elaborates on fostering collaborations across disciplines, building cohesive research teams, and positioning Purdue to address grand societal challenges through strategic partnerships and supporting the research pipeline from students to early-career faculty.

4. Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue

Preity shares her personal journey into speech language pathology, influenced by her father's stutter and her mother's vocal fatigue as a teacher. This personal connection fueled her passion for understanding the underlying biological mechanisms of voice production, leading her to pursue a Ph.D. and an academic career at Purdue.

"My introduction to the discipline was actually through my father. My father was stuttered..."
— Preity Sivasankar [06:54]

5. Research on Voice Disorders

Preity discusses the multidisciplinary research her team conducts on environmental and biological factors affecting voice health. Addressing common misconceptions, she explains that voice disorders result from a combination of factors such as excessive voice use, environmental pollutants, and individual health conditions.

"Voice disorders are multifactorial. So there are many causes for voice problems."
— Preity Sivasankar [08:29]

She offers practical advice for voice care, debunking myths and emphasizing the importance of hydration, proper vocal warm-ups, and minimizing strain through technological aids like microphones.

6. Impact and Importance of the Department

The Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue plays a crucial role in enhancing quality of life through improving fundamental communication functions. Preity highlights the department’s comprehensive approach, addressing needs from infancy through old age, and underscores the growing demand for speech pathology and audiology professionals.

"Speech, language and hearing communication challenges don't discriminate geographically. So these are common conditions. They are prevalent across the globe."
— Preity Sivasankar [18:12]

7. Purdue's Top-Ranked Programs

Purdue’s graduate programs in speech language pathology and audiology have achieved top national rankings, reflecting the department’s excellence in clinical education and research.

"Our speech language pathology program is now ranked number two in the country."
— Preity Sivasankar [13:28]

Despite not being affiliated with a medical school, Purdue maintains competitive programs through strategic externships, community partnerships, and a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practices.

8. Community and Leadership

Preity emphasizes the significance of the Purdue community in her professional journey. She credits the supportive and collaborative environment at Purdue for her sustained commitment and success.

"It's a community that really advocates and sponsors others. It's a community that believes in collective excellence."
— Preity Sivasankar [19:56]

As a leader, she finds fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of researchers and lowering barriers to facilitate impactful research.

9. Future Directions and Goals

Looking ahead, Preity aims to further elevate Purdue’s research mission by enhancing communication, streamlining operations, and fostering an environment where faculty and students can thrive. She envisions her role as pivotal in enabling Purdue to achieve greater research excellence and impact.

"I'm looking forward to lowering barriers that faculty and students experience. I'm looking forward to enabling more clear communication, bringing together teams, efficiently, streamlining some of our operations..."
— Preity Sivasankar [21:56]

10. The Science Behind Disliking the Sound of Our Own Voice

Towards the end of the episode, the podcast explores the common aversion to hearing one's own recorded voice. Preity explains the difference between bone conduction and air conduction in hearing, which accounts for the discrepancy in how we perceive our voices internally versus externally.

"When we hear ourselves, it's through bone conduction... whereas when others hear us, it's through air conduction."
— Preity Sivasankar [24:07]

She debunks the myth about drinking hot water directly affecting the vocal cords, suggesting the relief is likely due to a placebo effect and overall hydration.

11. Conclusion

Preity Sivasankar’s insights underscore the profound impact of Purdue’s research in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Her leadership continues to drive innovation, support the academic and research community, and enhance the lives of individuals through improved communication health. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the department and stay connected through Purdue’s various platforms.

"We'd love for students in this department to really be able to engage with our broader Purdue alumni network... meet with our students, and I think that would be a lot of fun for everyone in the unit."
— Preity Sivasankar [22:55]

For more information on this episode, visit purdue.edu/podcast. Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

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