Introducing RSI’s Interim Director, Dr. Yana Yunusova

RSI’s Interim Director reflects on her vision for the Institute, her passion for mentorship, and what inspires her beyond academia.

1. What excites you most about stepping into the role of Interim Director at RSI at this time?

This is a pivotal moment for higher education, and for RSI. Pressures on research funding, rapid advances in AI that are reshaping the job market and professional practice, and the broader need for collaboration across disciplines all create both challenges and opportunities. What excites me most is the chance to think strategically about these forces and to work with RSI’s exceptional leadership team, faculty, and students to chart a path forward. My focus will be not only on ensuring the sustainability of our enterprise but also on positioning RSI for growth and leadership in the years ahead.

2. How do you see your research in speech and neurological disorders intersecting with RSI’s broader interdisciplinary mission? 

My research over the past two decades has focused on understanding speech production in neurodegenerative diseases, initially through objective measures and now through emerging technologies that can transform clinical practice. Advances in microphones, cameras, and smart algorithms make it possible to design assessment tools that are accessible, effective, and integrated into real-world care.

The development of these tools is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on engineering, computer science, neurology, nursing, speech-language pathology, and, importantly, patient partnership. This is exactly the kind of collaborative ecosystem RSI is built to support. I see my work as part of strengthening RSI’s interdisciplinary profile by deepening our focus on technology, clinical impact, and interdisciplinarity, while training the next generation of students to work at these intersections.

3. What are your priorities for supporting RSI students, faculty, and staff over the coming year?

My priority is to ensure that RSI is positioned as a community where students, faculty, and staff can thrive and where our collective work has strong visibility both within and beyond the University. Strengthening communication will be key, not only clarifying our policies, procedures, and supports, but also articulating a shared vision and direction.

Recruitment of outstanding students will remain central. We will refresh our outward-facing presence by highlighting RSI’s research strengths, spotlighting faculty (especially early-career colleagues), and showcasing the accomplishments of our students and faculty. This is part of building a reputation that attracts the very best trainees.

Internally, we will continue modernizing how we connect and share resources, creating a clearer, more accessible platform for all members of our community. At the same time, we will keep refining our curriculum to ensure it reflects the breadth and depth of our interdisciplinary research, with a particular focus this year on elective offerings and on advancing discussion about the future of the Practice Science curriculum.

Overall, my goal is to create an environment where RSI students, faculty, and staff feel supported, see their contributions recognized, and share in shaping the institute’s trajectory for the years ahead.

4. Having supervised more than 50 students, what advice do you give trainees navigating graduate studies and research careers?

Today’s students are completing their degrees in a world that is more complex than ever to navigate. My core advice is to invest in relationships, with your supervisory team, your peers, and your broader academic community. From my own experience, these connections are critical to resilience, perspective, and success.

I also encourage students to be proactive in identifying challenges early and to reach out for support. RSI as well as the School of Graduate Studies more broadly have built-in structures and people who are here to help, from the leadership team to staff, and we are committed to walking alongside students all the way to program completion. Graduate school is demanding, but it is also a time to develop habits of collaboration, openness, and persistence that will serve students throughout their careers.

5. Outside of research and leadership, what hobbies or interests help you recharge?

Cooking has become one of my favorite ways to relax. I can spend hours in my recently renovated kitchen, hosting friends for a meal and a deep conversation about the state of the world or just a light chat about everyday moments of life. I enjoy walking my dog Tara, often with friends as well. I also enjoy following various exercise experts on YouTube to improve my daily practice. Although I’m a “couch potato” by nature, I am teaching myself to enjoy movement and practice physical fitness. It’s work in progress!