​workshop.

Toronto. Prior to completing her Ph.D., Dr. Steele worked as a medical speech-language pathologist for 10 years. Dr. Steele is known for her commitment to pursuing theoretically driven research that will underpin clinical interventions with sound empirical evidence. She has received particular recognition for her research on tongue movements in swallowing and is recognized as an expert on the use of texture modifications as an intervention for dysphagia. Dr. Steele holds a prestigious New Investigator award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and a major research grant from the National Institutes of Health in the United States, to explore the interface between tongue motor function and oral sensory functions in swallowing.  She is also leading a Heart and Stroke Foundation funded trial of tongue-pressure resistance training interventions for dysphagia post stroke.

               Dr. Steele is known across Canada and internationally as an outspoken advocate of evidence-based practice by speech-language pathologists.  She has a particular interest in mentoring and supporting front-line clinicians to develop strong skills in critically evaluating literature and incorporating good scientific evidence into their day-to-day practice.  Dr. Steele has been invited to participate on several expert panels regarding standards of practice in the area of swallowing evaluation and treatment and is frequently invited to be a speaker at professional development courses on this topic. She is known for her commitment to “active learning”, and incorporates practical hands-on assignments into her lectures and workshops. Her teaching experience includes face-to-face and web-based University courses, and many workshops and invited lectures across North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

                Dr. Steele is a past president of the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and past board member of the Dysphagia Research Society.  She served as the coordinator of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s Special Interest Division 13 (Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders) from 2008-2010.