Professor Catriona Steele Awarded the ASHA’s Highest Honor

The Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI) at the University of Toronto is thrilled to announce that faculty member, Professor Catriona M. Steele, has received the Honors of the Association from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). This award is the highest distinction conferred by ASHA, recognizing individuals whose contributions have profoundly impacted the fields of communication sciences and disorders.

A Distinguished Career in Speech-Language Pathology

Professor Steele is a global leader in swallowing and food oral processing research, serving as the Director of the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (SRRL) at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network. She also holds the prestigious title of Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Swallowing and Food Oral Processing.

Before embarking on her research career, professor Steele worked for a decade as a medical speech-language pathologist. She has since dedicated her career to advancing knowledge and clinical practice in swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Her research is recognized worldwide for its innovative and rigorous approach, particularly her groundbreaking work on tongue function in swallowing. Professor Steele’s contributions include more than 195 peer-reviewed publications and research funded by esteemed organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (USA), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

The Impact of SRRL

Founded by professor Steele in 2003, the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (SRRL) focuses on understanding and treating swallowing impairments, which can result from conditions like stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab brings together a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, engineers, and researchers to develop evidence-based interventions that improve patient outcomes.

Leadership and Global Influence

Professor Steele’s leadership extends beyond the lab. She is the current President of the Dysphagia Research Society, a former President of Speech-Language Audiology Canada, and has been instrumental in initiatives like the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative. Her influence spans continents, evident in her recent induction as a Fellow of the European Society of Swallowing Disorders.

A Celebration of Excellence

Her achievements reflect not only her dedication and expertise but also the caliber of faculty at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute. Faculty members like Professor Steele bring global recognition to RSI and foster a culture of innovation and excellence that benefits the academic, research and clinical communities.

Professor Steele’s receipt of this prestigious honor underscores the vital role of RSI faculty in shaping the future of rehabilitation sciences.