PhD '17 Alumni

Dr. Simione is Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Pediatric Nutrition Center at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. She is a researcher who studies children with feeding and swallowing disorders. The goal of her research is to improve the lives of these children and their families through developing patient-centered assessment and treatment approaches.

What year did you start the program? 2012

What are your prior degrees and at which institutions?
BS, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Minor in Psychology, Boston University, Boston MA. 1998
MA, Speech-Language Pathology, Northwestern University, Evanston IL, 2000

What was your research setting during the program?
Mentor: Jordan R. Green, PhD, CCC-SLP, Director
Lab: Speech & Feeding Disorders Lab, MGH Institute of Health Professions

On what was your research focused?
My research focuses on the neuromechanics of normal and disordered feeding development. In my research, I am developing novel computer-based methods to assess the sensory and motor control of chewing. This information is essential for developing better assessment methods and creating individualized treatment approaches. 

What was your dissertation title?
Oral Sensorimotor Integration: Task-dependent Effects of Mandibular Performance to Whole-Head Vibration and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

What publications or external presentations you have produced since the start of the program?

Simione M & Green JR. (March 2018). "An Exploratory Investigation of the Effects of Whole-Head Vibration on Jaw Movements." Experimental Brain Research.

Simione M, Fregni F & Green JR. (February 2018). "The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Jaw Function is Task Dependent: Speech, Syllable Repetition and Chewing." Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

Simione M, Fregni F & Green JR. (February 2018). "The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Jaw Motor Function Is Task Dependent: Speech, Syllable Repetition, and Chewing." Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

Green, J. R., Simione, M., Le Révérend, B., Wilson, E. M., Richburg, B., Alder, M., Del Valle, M. & Loret, C. (2017). Advancement in Texture in Early Complementary Feeding and the Relevance to Developmental Outcomes. Complementary Feeding: Building the Foundations for a Healthy Life. 

Simione, M., Yunosova, Y., & Green, J. R. (2014) Validation of clinical observations of mastication of persons with ALS. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American, Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, Orlando, FL. 

Edelson, L.R., Simione, M., Le Révérend, B.J.D., Green, J.R., Alder, M. and Loret, C. (2014). Physiological aspects of the development of mastication in early childhood. Poster presented at Experimental Biology convention, San Diego, CA. 

What awards have you have won while in the program?
Plural Publishing Research Scholarship Award 2014

What do you think is special about the PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program here at the MGH Institute?
• Interdisciplinary focus of the program
• The affiliations with area hospitals and other academic institutions

Why did you choose to come to this program rather than a doctoral research program in your specific profession?

• The opportunity to work with my mentor
• The interdisciplinary focus

What are your goals for the future after you graduate?
I hope to have a faculty position in a research-intensive university to continue with my line of research focusing on the physiologic development of feeding skills.