TEAM
Christopher R. Watts, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Watts is Professor and Director of the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders at TCU. He is a speech-language pathologist specializing in laryngeal function (aka, “the voicebox”) in voice production and swallowing. Dr. Watts’ program of research studies how Parkinson’s disease affects voice and swallowing, with the aim of developing better assessments and treatments to improve the lives of those fighting against the disease. In addition to his research and administrative roles at TCU, Dr. Watts teaches and mentors future leaders in the speech-language pathology programs. Dr. Watts serves as the Team Leader for Endeavor Parkinsonology and researcher in the Laryngeal Function Lab at TCU.
Zoë Thijs, Ph.D.
Zoë Thijs is an assistant professor at Milloy University in Long Island, New York. Dr. Thijs completed her doctoral studies at TCU with Dr. Watts in the laryngeal function lab. Prior to her her Ph.D., Dr. Thijs obtained a bachelor and masters degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Ghent, Belgium. Zoë’s clinical and research interests center on voice production and voice disorders. Her recent published work has identified epidemiological pattern of voice disorders treated in a community voice clinics and the perceptual characteristics of voice quality in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Matt Dumican, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Matt Dumican is an assistant professor at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. Dr. Dumican completed his doctoral studies at TCU with Dr. Watts in the laryngeal function lab. Dr. Dumican earned a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences & disorders from Sacred Heart University, and a masters degree in speech-language pathology from TCU. Dr. Dumican’s clinical and research interests center on laryngeal function in swallowing, specifically dysphagia in neurological disorders. His recent published work has identified patterns of laryngeal closure during swallowing in people with PD and comparisons of dysphagia signs in cardiovascular accident (CVA – stroke) patients compared to PD.
Emily Watts, Undergraduate Student
Emily Watts is an undergraduate student at TCU studying Psychology with an anticipated graduation date of December 2022. She serves as a project manager for Endeavor Parkinsonology responsible for marketing, communication, and community connections. Emily has interests in neurophysiology and neurological disorders with future plans to pursue a Ph.D. in experimental psychology.