Dr. Maria J, presently an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech – Language Pathology and the UG Course Co-ordinator at MERF-ISH has an experience of over 10+ years in the field. Her major area of interest lies in the field of Discourse Analysis in various Communication Disorders, exploring innovative teaching methods and developing Indianized Assessment materials, Intervention manuals and Tele-Therapy Materials.

PG Dissertation: An Intervention Programme for Improving Phonological Sensitivity in Children – Dissertation submitted to The TN DR MGR Medical University – June 2013

PhD Thesis ‘Discourse Analysis in Individuals with Neuro-communication Disorders – A Compilation Study’ submitted at Department of CAS Linguistics; Annamalai University – Awarded Ph.D degree in January 2023.

Work Experience

• Associate Professor - MERF Institute of Speech and Hearing (November 2021 – till date)
• Assistant Professor / Clinical In charge - MERF Institute of Speech and Hearing (October 2019 – November 2021)
• Private Practice – Home Visits and online services for Stroke Clients (January 2019 – December 2021)
• Chitra Speech and Hearing Clinic (January 2017 – December 2019) -
     Designation:- Consultant Speech Language Pathologist
• Madras ENT Research Foundation (MERF) (July 2015 – April 2016) -
     Designation:- Assistant Professor (Feb 2016 – April 2016), Lecturer & Clinical coordinator (July 2015 – Feb 2016)
• SRM Medical College (2013 - 2015) -
     Designation:-
       Grade I Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist (April 2014 – July 2015)
       Grade II  Audiologist and Speech- Language Pathologist (November 2013 – April 2014)

Subjects of Interest

• Linguistics
• Adult Language Disorders
• Childhood Language Disorders
• Motor Speech Disorders
• Speech Sound Disorders
• Speech and Language Processing

Examiner at various institution:

• Madras Medical College, Chennai
• NIEPMD, Chennai.
• SRM, Kancheepuram
• Holy Cross, Trichy
• SRMC, Porur, Chennai

Conferences / workshops attended

1. National Conference cum Workshop on ‘Best Practices in Language Intervention for Children, SRMC, (SRFASLP), Porur, Chennai, November – December 2023
2. Research Training by Illona Anderson, Seminar at MERF-ISH, July 2023
3. 2nd International Webinar on Dementia and Dementia Care, Scientex Conferences, November 2022
4. HCC FLASH SERIES V – TRICHY, November 2022
5. AOCNR 2021 – Virtual Conference, August 2021
6. SciTech Central Neurology 2021 – Virtual Conference, April 2021
7. HCC FLASH SERIES V – TRICHY, March 2020
8. International Conference on Multiple Disability, Feb 2020
9. 41st ISHA CON, January 2009

ACHIEVEMENTS / RESEARCH PAPERS PRESENTED

Conference Attended	year	Title of the Paper Presented	Award
2nd International Webinar on Dementia and Dementia Care, Scientex Conferences	November 2022	Macrostructural and Microstructural Performance in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease - A Comparison Based on post onset duration	-
HCC FLASH SERIES V – TRICHY	November 2022	A Comprehensive case report on Psychogenic Dysphagia	-
		Knowledge about Dysphagia among Geriatrics	II Best Poster
		Symptoms of Dysphagia in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease across various post onset duration	-
AOCNR 2021 – Virtual Conference	August 2021	Discourse analysis in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease – E-Poster	-
SciTech Central Neurology 2021 – Virtual Conference	April 2021	Macro linguistic and Micro linguistic Performance in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease - A Comparison Based on Duration after Onset	-
HCC FLASH SERIES V – TRICHY	March 2020	Development Of Phonological Awareness Skills In Tamil	Best Paper
		Efficacy of Intervention Program To Improve Phonological Sensitivity Skills In Below Average Scholastic Performers.	Second Best Paper
		Concept Of Spoken Word And Rhyming Skills In Cochlear Implantees.	-
		Syllable Awareness In Children With Language Learning Disability	Best Poster
		Development Of Ambiguity In Bilinguals	-
		Understanding Language Learning Disability – A Comparative Study Among Teachers Of Various Boards Of Education	-
		Narrative Discourse In Children With Hearing Impairment	Third Best poster
		Homonym And Homophone In Children with Language Learning Disability	-
		Ambiguity Resolution In Children With Hearing Impairment	-
International Conference on Multiple Disability	Feb 2020	Opportunities and Challenges in Livelihood of person with MD – Public view	Best Paper
		Vocational Training services and post training opportunities for PWD – A Parental Outlook	-
		Highlighting the provision and facilities provided by employers for persons with differential ability in children	-
		Providing job opportunities for persons with MD – attitude and perception of Employers	-
		Independent living and sustainable development in children with MD – Parental Perspective	Best Poster
41st ISHA CON	Jan 2009	Autism - Is there any cerebellar underpinning	-

Published Articles:

1. Procedural Discourse production in children with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD); Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development – JCLAD
2. Discourse Analysis in Tamil Speaking Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease; International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research; DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20211003 ; Vol.6; Issue: 4; Oct.-Dec. 2021; Website: ijshr.com; ISSN: 2455-7587
3. Conversational Discourse Analysis In Tamil Speaking Individuals – A Comparison Across Age Range; International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org September 2021, Volume 8, Issue 3; (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)
4. Macro linguistic and Micro linguistic Performance in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease - A Comparison Based on Duration after Onset; Journal of Neurosurgery Imaging and Techniques JNSIT, 6(S1): 10 www.scitcentral.com; April 2021
5. Macrostructural and microstructural discourse abilities in children with hearing impairment; Journal of Child Language Acquisition and Development – JCLAD Vol: 9 Issue: 1 176-188, 2021, March
6. Communication Challenges and Implementation of Tele-practice for Children with Hearing Impairment during Lockdown - A Parental Perspective; Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2021 Apr, Vol-15(4): MC06-MC11
7. Efficacy of vocabulary bombardment in a client with Broca's aphasia - a single case study. Volume - 9 | Issue - 12 | December - 2020 | PRINT ISSN No. 2277 - 8179 | DOI : 10.36106/ijsr
8. Autism spectrum disorder and lockdown – a parental survey on communication and related aspects - The International Journal of Indian Psychology ISSN 2348-5396 (Online) | ISSN: 2349-3429 (Print), Volume 8, Issue 4, Oct- Dec, 2020
9. Development of Bilingual Ambiguity Resolution – IJSRP – July 2020, Volume 10, Issue 7

Ongoing Researches

1. Discourse Analysis in children with Specific Learning Disorder
2. Semantic Feature Production in neuro-typical individuals across age range
3. Lexical diversity and Grammatical complexity in individuals with Post Stroke Aphasia
4. Morphological Analysis using discourse samples of Individuals with Fluent and Non-Fluent Aphasia
5. Discourse Performance in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease using Structured Stimuli

Dissertations Guided:

1. Microstructural Analysis of Aided Vs Unaided Narratives in individuals with Post Stroke Aphasia – A comparative study – (Ms. Nikhila) 2022
2. Macrostructural and Microstructural Analysis in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease – (Ms. Yuva Yoga Shree) 2022
3. Semantic Feature Production – A comparison between Tamil Speaking Young Adults and Geriatrics (Ms. Shruti R) 2022
4. Development and Validation of Cognition and Language Assessment tool in Tamil (CLAT-T) for Adults and Geriatrics – (Mr. Akshay Krishnan) 2021
5. Macrolinguistic and Microlinguistic Performance of Discourse Abilities in Tamil Speaking Adults and Geriatrics – Across Age range – (Ms. Kousika Devi Baskar) 2021