Sarah Szynkiewicz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and has been with Samford University since 2020. Dr. Szynkiewicz holds a research Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Her primary clinical and research interest is dysphagia (swallowing impairment) in adult neurogenic patient populations (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease). Dr. Szynkiewicz aims to contribute to advancement in dysphagia rehabilitation through investigation of innovative approaches (i.e., motor imagery practice).

Degrees and Certifications

• PhD, James Madison University
• MS, James Madison University
• BA, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Awards and Honors

• Selected for and completed the ASHA Leadership Development Program, 2022-2023

Involvement/Professional Societies

• AL Dysphagia Collective, Leadership Team Member
• Dysphagia Research Society, Member
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Member
• Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Consortium, Member

Expertise

• Adult swallowing disorders, neurogenic dysphagia (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease), motor imagery practice, tongue strengthening exercise

Recent Publications

• Griffin, L., Luque, J. S., Szynkiewicz, S. H., & Kamarunas, E. (2026). Acoustic measures of voice perturbation offer limited value as standalone indicators of laryngeal penetration or aspiration. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 107(2), 251-260.
• Murray, K. L., Szynkiewicz, S. H., & Kamarunas, E. (2026). Palpation as a method to predict spatial instrumental hyolaryngeal excursion measures. Dysphagia, 41(1), 285-295.

• Smith, J. B., Murray, K., Szynkiewicz, S. H, Wasiuk, P. A., Dalton, M., Thompson, K., & Kamarunas, E. (2026). Reliability of lingual swallow pressure measurements in healthy older and younger adults. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 53(3), 706-713.

• Jones, K., Szynkiewicz, S. H., Garand, K., Gosa, M., Hill, G., & Broadfoot, C. (2025). Case-based learning for dysphagia continuing education: Participant perceptions on facilitators and barriers. Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders, 9(2), Article 7.
• Drulia, T., Szynkiewicz, S. H., Griffin, L., Mulheren, R., Murray, K., & Kamarunas, E. (2024). A comparison of lingual pressure generation measures using two devices in community dwelling, typically aging adults: An important clinical implication. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 67(2), 429-439.
• Szynkiewicz, S. H., Drulia, T., Griffin, L., Mulheren, R., Murray, K., Lee, T., & Kamarunas E. (2023). Flexibility for intensity dosing in lingual resistance exercises: A large randomized clinical trial in typically aging adults as proof of principle. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(6), 3021-3035.

Recent Presentations

• Mulheren R, Szynkiewicz SH, Rowell A, Kamarunas E, Drulia T. (March 2026). Characterizing tongue endurance in Parkinson’s disease. Poster presentation at Dysphagia Research Society 2026 annual meeting, Aurora, CO.
• Rowell A, Mulheren R, Kamarunas E, Szynkiewicz S. (March 2026). Clinical predictors of dysphagia symptoms in FTLD: Importance of phenotype and motor deficits. Poster presentation at Dysphagia Research Society 2026 annual meeting, Aurora, CO.
• Szynkiewicz SH, Jackson K, Davies ME, Eisenhauer K, Galbreath AC. (November 2025). Swallowing-related anxiety in adults with oropharyngeal dysphagia scoping review: An updated look and future directions. Annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Washington, DC.
• Westbrook K, Drulia T, Kamarunas E, Murray K, Szynkiewicz SH. (November 2025). Speech-language pathologists’ clinical practices for lingual strength assessment and exercise in adults with dysphagia. Annual convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Washington, DC.
• Szynkiewicz SH, Marshall M, Smith J, Coleman K, Gao X, Paris MA, Kamarunas E. (March 2025). Data to inform a proactive approach to address tongue pressure decline in typically aging persons: A collaboration with exercise physiologists. Poster presented at Dysphagia Research Society 2025 annual meeting, Philadelphia, PA.

Research Areas

• Swallowing, neurogenic dysphagia, rehabilitation, tongue strength, motor imagery, scholarship of teaching and learning