
Victoria Sue McKenna , PHD
Assistant Professor
Health Sciences Building
3225 Eden Ave
Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
Email mckennvs@ucmail.uc.edu; VSMechLab@ucmail.uc.edu
Professional Summary
Victoria McKenna, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and secondary faculty in Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Dr. McKenna is the director of the Voice and Swallow Mechanics Lab at UC. She leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists that use clinical knowledge and engineering techniques to study sensorimotor function in individuals with voice and swallowing disorders. The goals of her research are to improve clinical care by developing technology and methods that enhance diagnostic efficiency. Her programmatic research draws from her clinical experience as a speech-language pathologist and her doctoral training in an engineering-based laboratory.
Please visit the Voice & Swallow Mechanics Lab website for more information: VSMechLab.com
Education
Ph.D. : Boston University, Boston, MA, 2018 (Speech, Language, & Hearing Science)
M.S.: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 2010 (Communication Sciences and Disorders)
B.S., B.A. : Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 2008 (Communication Sciences and Disorders; Psychology)
Research and Practice Interests
Compensations & interactions between the respiratory & laryngeal systems
Use of technology to improve diagnosis and treatment efficiency
Community and patient educational initiatives
Positions and Work Experience
2020 -To Present Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
2018 -2019 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
2017 -2018 Speech-Language Pathologist, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
2012 -2015 Speech-Language Pathologist, Rehab Resources, Cincinnati, OH
2010 -2012 Speech-Language Pathologist, RehabCare, Kittery, ME
Research Support
Grant: #2UL1TR001425-05A1 (NCATS). 07-15-2020 -03-31-2021 CCTST COVID-19 Critical Community Challenge Grant (Phases 1, 2, 3, & 4), "The impact of masks on speech acoustics and voice fatigue in healthcare workers: A pilot study during the COVID-19 pandemic." Role: PI- Victoria McKenna; $31,228.00. Completed
Grant: #NIRG Investigators:McKenna, Victoria 10-01-2020 -12-31-2021 American Speech Language and Hearing Foundation: Sensorimotor Reflexes in Hyperfunctional Voice Disorders. Role:PI $10,000.00 Completed
Grant: #R25093 Investigators:McKenna, Victoria 03-01-2021 -03-31-2023 UC URC-Faculty Scholars Res Awd-McKenna Role:PI $25,000.00 Completed
Grant: #2021 Advancing Academic-Research Career (AARC) Award Investigators:McKenna, Victoria 09-01-2021 -02-28-2023 American Speech Language and Hearing Foundation: Advancing culturally responsive teaching and research practices in the Speech sciences. Role:PI $5000.00 Completed
Grant: #2022 03-2022 -03-2023 Next Lives Here Urban Health Pathways Seed Grant: The relationship between vocal congruence and wellness in gender-diverse patients: Gathering evidence to increase access to medical care. Role:PI $17,000 Active
Grant: #2023 Investigators:McKenna 05-01-2023 -04-30-2025 Office of Research Collaborative Research Advancement Program: Pilot Grants; Development and pilot evaluation of a smartphone app for transgender voice training Role:Co-I $25,000 Active
Grant: #2023 Investigators:McKenna 05-01-2023 -03-31-2024 CCTST Symposia Award; Voice, Speech, & Technology Symposium Role:PI $3000 Active
Grant: #OSLHA-McKenna Investigators:McKenna, Victoria 08-08-2023 -12-01-2024 Ohio Speech Language Hearing Association Factors Influencing Automatic Speech Recognition Accuracies in African American English-Speaking Children Role:PI 1500.00 Hold Level:Non Profit
Publications
Peer Reviewed Publications
McKenna, V.S., Kendall, C.L., Patel, T.H., Howell, R.J., & Gustin, R.L. (2021. ) Impact of face masks on speech acoustics and vocal effort in healthcare professionals .The Laryngoscope, , 1-7.
PDF: Face masks and speech/voice acoustics
McKenna, V.S., Patel, T.H., Kendall, C.L., Howell, R.J., & Gustin, R.L. (2021. ) Voice acoustics and vocal effort in mask-wearing healthcare professionals: A comparison pre- and post-workday .Journal of Voice, ,
PDF: Acoustics and Effort pre/post workday
Vojtech, J.M., Cilento, D.D., Luong, A.T., Noordzij Jr., J.P., Diaz-Cadiz, M., Groll, M.D., Buckley, D.P., McKenna, V.S., Noordzij, J.P., & Stepp, C.E. (2021. ) Acoustic identification of the voicing boundary during intervocalic offsets and onsets based on vocal fold vibratory measures .Applied Sciences, , 11, ,1-24.
McKenna, V.S., Hylkema, J.A., Tardif, M.C., & Stepp, C.E. (2020. ) Voice onset time in individuals with hyperfunctional voice disorders: Evidence for disordered vocal motor control .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 63, ,405-420
Groll, M.D., McKenna, V.S., Hablani, S., & Stepp, C.E. (2020. ) Formant-estimated vocal tract length and extrinsic laryngeal muscle activation during modulation of vocal effort in healthy speakers .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 1-9
PDF: Formant estimated vocal tract length
Cler G.J., McKenna V.S., Dahl, K.L., & Stepp C.E. (2020. ) Longitudinal case study of transgender voice changes under testosterone hormone therapy .Journal of Voice, , 34 (5 ) ,748-762.
McKenna, V.S., Diaz-Cadiz, M.E., Shembel, A.C., Enos, N.M., & Stepp, C.E. (2019. ) The relationship between physiological mechanisms and the self-perception of vocal effort .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 62 (4 ) ,815-834
McKenna, V.S., & Huber, J.E. (2019. ) The accuracy of respiratory calibration methods for estimating lung volume during speech breathing: A comparison of four methods across three adult cohorts .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 62, ,2632-2644.
PDF: Respiratory Calibration Methods
Diaz Cadiz, M., McKenna, V.S., Vojtech, J.M., Stepp, C.E. (2019. ) Adductory vocal fold kinematic trajectories during conventional versus high-speed videoendoscopy .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 62 ,1685-1706
McKenna, V.S., & Stepp, C.E. (2018. ) The relationship between acoustical and perceptual measures of vocal effort .The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, , 144 (3 ) ,1643-1658
PDF: Acoustical and Perceptual Measures of Effort
McKenna, V.S., Llico, A.F., Mehta, D.D., Perkell, J.S., & Stepp, C.E. (2017. ) Magnitude of neck-surface vibration as an estimate of subglottal pressure during modulations of vocal effort and intensity in healthy speakers .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 60 (12 ) ,3404-3416
McKenna, V., Zhang, B., Haines, M., & Kelchner, L. (2017. ) A systematic review of isometric lingual strength training programs in adult populations with and without dysphagia .American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, , 26 ,524-539
PDF: Lingual Strength Training
Fujiki, R., Chapleau, A., Sundarrajan, A., McKenna, V., and Sivasankar, P. (2017. ) The interaction of surface hydration and vocal loading on voice measures .Journal of Voice, , 31 (2 ) ,211-217
McKenna, V.S., Heller Murray, E.S., Lien, Y.S., & Stepp, C.E. (2016. ) The relationship between relative fundamental frequency and a kinematic estimate of laryngeal stiffness in healthy adults .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , 59 (6 ) ,1283-1294
McKenna, V.S., Gustin, R.L., Howell, R.J., Patel, T.H., Emery, M.B., Kendall, C.L., & Kelliher, N.J. (2021. ) Developing educational health modules to improve vocal wellness in mask-wearing occupational voice users .Journal of Voice, , in press. ,
PDF: Educational Health Modules
Leon, M., Washington, K., McKenna, V.S., Crowe, K., & Fritz, K. (2022. ) Linguistically-informed acoustic and perceptual analysis of bilingual children’s speech productions: An exploratory study in the Jamaican context .Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, , in press. ,
PDF: Linguistically informed analysis
Reid, K., McKenna, V.S., & Smith, D. (2022. ) Mitigating dysphonia, pain, and vocal handicap after violent videogame voice overs: A pilot investigation into Vocal Combat Technique Training .Journal of Voice, , in press. ,
McKenna, V.S., Vojtech, J.M., Previtera, M., Kendall, C.L., & Carraro, K.E. (2022. ) A systematic scoping review of relative fundamental frequency in individuals with and without voice disorders .Applied Sciences, , 12 (16 ) ,1-18.
Leon, M., Washington, K., McKenna, V.S., Crowe, K., Fritz, K., & Boyce, S.E. (2022. ) Characterizing Speech Sound Productions in Bilingual Speakers of Jamaican Creole and English: Application of Durational Acoustic Methods. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, ,
PDF: Characterizing Speech Sound Productions
McKenna, V.S., Gustin, R.L., Hobek, A.L., Howell, R.J., Dickinson, T.E., Shanley, S.N., & Patel, T.H. (2022. ) Factors related to treatment attendance for patients seeking gender-affirming voice therapy. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, ,
PDF: Factors related to treatment attendance
McKenna, V.S., Roberts, R.M., Friedman, A.D., Shanley, S.N., & Llico, A.F. (2023. ) Impact of naturalistic smartphone positioning on acoustic measures of voice.Journal of Acoustical Society of America, , 154 (1 ) ,323-333
More InformationHonors and Awards
2021 Faculty Development Award Funds: Supports emergency medical response (EMR) training and certification to ensure participant safety during flexible laryngoscopy procedures. Internal: College of Allied Health Sciences
2021 Best Poster Award: Second Place. Boston Speech Motor Control Symposium, Boston, MA.
2019 -2021 NIH Loan Repayment Award
2019 Honors of NSSLHA
2019 ASHA Lesson’s for Success Program Mentee
2018 -2019 NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Purdue University
2017 ASHA Pathways Program Mentee
2016 -2018 NIH T32 Pre-doctoral Fellowship, Boston University
2016 Best Poster Award, Voice Foundation Annual Symposium
2021 NIH Loan Repayment Grant- Renewal
2022 ASHA Early Career Contributions in Research Award
Service
Editorial Service: ASHA Perspectives, SIG 19 Speech Science Journal, Committee Member 2018 -To Present
Editorial Service: American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Committee Member 2020 -To Present
Courses Taught
-CSD-7014 VOICE DISORDERS Level:Graduate
-CSD-7035 DYSPHAGIA Level:Graduate
-CSD-7033 NEUROGENIC COG DIS Level:Graduate
-HLTH-3098 RESEARCH METHODS Level:Undergraduate
Contact Information
Academic - Health Sciences Building
3225 Eden Ave
Cincinnati
Ohio, 45267
mckennvs@ucmail.uc.edu; VSMechLab@ucmail.uc.edu