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EDUCATION
PhD University of Toronto, Speech-Language Pathology, 2010
Thesis: Neural correlates of auditory processing in developmental stuttering
Supervisor: Dr. Luc F. De Nil
MHSc University of Toronto, Speech-Language Pathology, 2000
BA Hon University of Western Ontario, Psychology & Linguistics (with distinction), 1998
Thesis: Impact of eye contact and fluency on listeners’ perceptions of people who stutter
Supervisor: Dr. William Yovetich
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Affiliate, Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE), Speech Communication Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2010-present
Postdoctoral Fellow, CNS Speech Laboratory, Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems, Boston University 2010-present
Supervisor: Dr. Frank Guenther
Doctoral Candidate, Speech Fluency Laboratory, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto 2005-2009
Project Director, Brain & Behaviour Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto,
2003-2005
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Speech-Language Pathologist, Private Practice focused on Fluency and Motor Speech Disorders 2003-2010
Speech-Language Pathologist, Hospital for Sick Children 2001 – 2005
Positioned on the Paediatric Brain Tumour, Neurosurgery and Trauma Programs
Speech-Language Pathologist, Toronto District School Board 2000 – 2001
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor, JLS 474, Introduction to Disorders of Speech and Language, Department of Linguistics & Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2008-2009
Teaching Assistant, SLP 1529H: Fluency Disorders, Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2005-2010
Teaching Assistant, SLP 1520H: Principals of Clinical Practice, Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2005-2006
Clinical Educator, Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 2003 – 2005
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Neurological bases of motor speech and its pathologies with a focus on developmental stuttering in children and adults
Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of speech and language and the associated disorders with specific interests in developmental disorders that continue across the lifespan and neuroplasticity following acquired disorders in adulthood
Advancement of structural and functional neuroimaging methods for the study of the neural correlates of overt speech production and auditory function with an emphasis on magnetoencephalography (MEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), voxel-based morphometry (VBM), cortical thickness analysis, and diffusion based tensor imaging (DTI)
RESEARCH FUNDING & AWARDS
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship 2010-2012, $55,000 + 5,000 research allowance per annum
American Speech-Language Hearing Association Student Research Travel Award 2010, $500
Canadian Child Health Clinician-Scientist Training Program (www.cchcsp.ca) Rising Researcher Award 2008, $5,000
The Hospital for Sick Children Clinician-Scientist Fellowship 2006-2010, $60,000 per annum
University of Toronto Arbor Award, 2008
Awarded in recognition of volunteers for outstanding personal service to the university. Bestowed upon alumni whose loyalty, dedication and generosity have added substantially to the quality of the University of Toronto experience for students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Frank M. Waddell Scholarship 2007, $6,000
American Speech-Language Hearing Association Student Research Travel Award 2006, $500
Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2005, $15,000 (declined)
University of Toronto Open Fellowship 2005, $10,000
Frank M. Waddell Scholarship 1999, $5,000
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Beal, D.S., Quraan, M. A., Cheyne, D. O., Taylor, M. J., Gracco, V. L. & De Nil, L. F. (2011). Speech-induced suppression of evoked auditory fields in children who stutter. NeuroImage, 54(4), 2994-3003.
Beal, D. S., Taylor, M.J., Cheyne, D. O., Gracco, V. L. & De Nil, L. F. (2010). Auditory evoked fields to vocalization during passive listening and active generation in adults who stutter. NeuroImage, 52(4), 1645-1653.
De Nil, L. F., Beal, D. S., Lafaille, S. J., Kroll, R. M., Crawley, A. P., & Gracco, V. L. (2008). The effects of simulated stuttering and prolonged speech on the neural activation patterns of stuttering and nonstuttering adults. Brain and Language, 107(2), 114-123.
Beal, D. S., Gracco, V. L., Lafaille, S. J., & De Nil, L. F. (2007). Voxel-based morphometry of auditory and speech-related cortex in stutterers. NeuroReport, 18(12), 1257-1260.
Bartlett, D. J., Macnab, J., MacArthur, C., Mandich, A., Magill-Evans, J., Young, N. L., Beal, D. & Polatajiko, H. (2006). Advancing rehabilitation research: An interactionist perspective to guide question and design. Disability and Rehabilitation, 28(19), 1169-1176.
Under Review
Beal, D. S., Brettschneider, J., Kroll, R. M. & De Nil, L. F. Increased grey matter volume in the inferior frontal gyrus and insula in children who stutter.
Beal, D. S., Lerch, J., Germann, J, Gracco, V. & De Nil, L. Abnormal development of Broca’s area underlies stuttering across the lifespan.
In Preparation (Included to demonstrate the direction of my current research.)
Beal, D.S., & De Nil, L. F. White matter connectivity differences in adults and children who stutter.
REFEREED PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
Beal, D. S., Lerch, J. P., Germann, J, Gracco, V. & De Nil, L. F. (2010). Regional Cortical Thickness Differences in People Who Stutter [Abstract]. Poster to be presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, Session # 1020 [Doctoral thesis reserach, 100% contribtuion] *received an American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Student Research Travel Award
Beal, D. S., Cheyne, D. O. & De Nil, L. F. (2009). Suppression of auditory responses to self-generated speech in children-who-stutter [Abstract]. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, Session # 11884
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2009). Neuroanatomical differences in children who stutter. [Abstract]. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, Session # 11911.
Beal, D. S., Crawely, A. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). Diffusion tensor imaging of white matter tracts in stuttering adults [Abstract]. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, Session # 1585.
Beal, D. S., Cheyne, D. & De Nil, L. F. (2007). A magnetoencephalography study of auditory processing in adults who stutter [Abstract]. Poster presented at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, Session # 0939
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). fMRI of overt speech and simulated stuttering [Abstract]. Oral presentation at the American Speech and Hearing Association Convention, Session # 1312. *received an American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Student Research Travel Award
De Nil, L. & Beal, D. (2006). Brain imaging research in stuttering. Stem-, Spraak- en Taalpathologie, 14 (Supplement), 112. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Speech Motor Control, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Beal, D. & De Nil, L. F. (2005). Neural correlates of auditory processing in persons who stutter [Abstract]. Poster presented at the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Training Program Symposium Proceedings.
Beal, D., Sasisekaran, J., & Chau, T. (2004). Communication needs and vocabulary in children with transient voicelessness. Proceedings of the International Society of Augmentation and Alternative Communication (ISAAC).
Misakyan, T., Beal, D., Dirks, P., Rutka, J., Bouffet, E., Mabbott, D. (2004). Speech and language functioning following surgery for posterior fossa tumours. Neuro-Oncology, 6, (4), 440-441.
De la Rosa Estanol, J.M., Beal, D., Bouffet, E., Kavanagh, B., Chau, T. (2004). Robust gesture recognition for non-contact augmentative communication using a dynamic binary frame of reference. Proceedings of the 28th Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society.
Cossever, D., Beal, D., Kavanagh, B., Bouffet, E., Chau T. (2004). Systems architecture and pattern recognition for an intelligent, pediatric, non-contact communication aid. Proceedings of the 28th Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society.
Wai-Ham, H., Popov, T., Beal, D., Skulj, M., Rooke, S. (2003). Out of the world of silence: Supporting patients and families through cerebellar mutism. Proceedings of the 34th Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses.
Beal, D., Bouffet, E., Dirks, P., & Mabbott, D. (2002). Speech and language deficits in children with posterior fossa tumours. Medical and Pediatric Oncology, 39 (4), 267.
INVITED POSTERS AND PRESENTATIONS
Beal, D. S., Cheyne, D. O. & De Nil, L. F. (2009). Evoked auditory responses to vocalization during passive listening and active generation. Oral presentation at Magnetoencephalography Rounds at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S., Crawely, A. & De Nil, L. F. (2009). White matter differences in adults who stutter. Poster presentation presented at the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Showcase, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). Auditory suppression in adults who stutter: An MEG Study. Oral presentation at the Human Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). The role of auditory inhibition in speech and stuttering: An update. Oral presentation at the Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S., Crawely, A. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). Diffusion tensor imaging of white matter in adults who stutter. Poster presentation presented at the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science & Department of Speech-Language Pathology Research Day, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). Speech Fluency Laboratory: An Introduction. Oral presentation at the Neuroimaging Interest Group Rounds, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). A VBM study of grey and white matter differences in people who stutter. Poster presentation at the Program in Neuroscience Poster Day at the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2007). A magnetoencephalography (MEG) study of auditory cortex in persistent developmental stuttering. Oral presentation at the Cognitive and Neural Systems Speech Laboratory Stuttering Symposium, Boston University, Boston, MA.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2008). Auditory inhibition during stuttering. Oral presentation at the Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2007). Voxel-based morphometry of adults who stutter. Toronto Western Research Institute Research Day, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2007). Cool genes and your brain. Oral presentation at the Canadian Stuttering Association Symposium, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2007). Neuroimaging of auditory function, motor speech control and language. Oral presentation at the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program’s Stare of the art communication skills for knowledge transfer to peers, government and the public symposium, Kingston, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2007) Using MEG to measure brain activity during speech production. Oral presentation at the Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). An MEG study of auditory processing in speech and stuttering. Oral presentation at the Magnetoencephalography User Group rounds, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). Brain activation during simulated stuttering: An fMRI study. Poster presented at the Languages and Linguistics at the University of Toronto Research Symposium, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). An fMRI study of simulated stuttering. Oral presentation at the Speech Motor Control Forum in Kingston, ON.
Beal, D. S., Lafaille, S. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). fMRI of stimulated stuttering. Oral presentation at the Graduate Department of Speech-Language Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D.S., Lafaille, S., Crawley, A., Kroll, R., Gracco, V. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). Neural correlates of modified speech production. Oral presentation at the University Health Network Functional Neuro-imaging rounds, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D.S., Lafaille, S., Kroll, R., Gracco, V. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). An introduction to neuroimaging studies of Developmental Stuttering. Oral presentation at the Hospital for Sick Children Clinician Scientist Training Program Seminar, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S., Lafaille, S., Kroll, R., Gracco, V. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). fMRI of developmental stuttering. Oral presentation at the Hospital for Sick Children Brain and Behaviour Program Meeting, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S., Lafaille, S. J., Kroll, R. M.., Gracco, V. L. & De Nil, L. F. (2006). Functional imaging of modified speech production in typical adult stutterers. Oral presentation at the University Health Network Functional Neuro-imaging Rounds, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. S. & De Nil, L. F. (2005). Developmental and methodological considerations for fMRI studies of speech in children. Oral presentation at the University Health Network Functional Neuro-imaging Rounds, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. (2004). Communication disorders in children treated for cancer: Impact on recovery, rehabilitation and education. Oral presentation at the Ontario Occupational and Physical Therapy Symposium d’Ergotherapie et de Physiotherapie (OPSEP), Hamilton, ON.
Beal, D. (2003). Face-to-face: Meeting communication disorders head-on: Speech, language and hearing impairments in children with cancer. Oral presentation at the University of Toronto Peace Through Health Initiative, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D., Bouffet, E., Dirks, P. & Mabbott, D. (2002). An overview of the communication disorders experienced by children with posterior fossa tumours. Oral presentation at the Hospital for Sick Children Neuroscience Research Day, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D. (2002). Speech and language disorders in children with posterior fossa brain tumours. Oral presentation at the Hospital for Sick Children Department of Communication Disorders Rounds, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D., Bouffet, E., Dirks, P. & Mabbott, D. (2002). Transient cerebellar mutism: The tip of the iceberg of speech and language impairments of children with posterior fossa tumours. Poster presented at the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Annual Symposium, Toronto, ON.
McGee, P., Bakish, J., Beal, D., Brownstone, D., Dryborough, K., Gammon, J., Hardy, J., Harrison, S., Marshall, M., Marin, M., Nichol, L., O’Shea, C., Pakulis, J., Van Halderen, C., Baruchel, S. & Bouffet, E. (2002). End-of-life care of children with a brain tumour: A retrospective review. Poster presented at the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Annual Symposium, Toronto, ON.
Beal, D., Bouffet, E., Dirks, P. & Mabbott, D. (2002). Childhood posterior fossa brain tumours: Associated perioperative and chronic communication disorders. Poster presented at the Toronto Acquired Brain Injury Network Conference, Toronto, ON.
McDowall, D., Ellerton, C., Beal, D., Brookes, N., Donnellly, R., Harrison, C. & Stewart, D. (2002). Recovering from brain injury: A booklet for parents. Poster presented at the Toronto Acquired Brain Injury Network Conference, Toronto, Ontario, November, 2002.
Invited Book Chapters
Bouffet, E., McGee, P., Beal, D. (2004). Pediatric Neurology. In R. Voltz et al. (Eds.), Palliative care in neurology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Beal, D., Mabbott, D. & Bouffet, E. (2003). Speech, language and hearing difficulties. In N. Keene (Ed.), Educating the child with cancer: A guide for parents and teachers. New York: Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation.
EDITORIAL & REVIEW EXPERIENCE
Reviewer, Perspectives on Fluency and Fluency Disorders, 2010-present
Adhoc Reviewer, Brain, 2010 – present
Adhoc Reviewer, Human Brain Mapping, 2010-present
Adhoc Reviewer, Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 2007 – present
Editorial Review Board Member, About Kids Health Website, The Hospital for Sick Children. 2004 Available at: http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Contributors.aspx?section=BT
Adhoc Reviewer, Toronto Acquired Brain Injury Network Conference 2003
COMMITTEE & INTEREST GROUP INVOLVEMENT
Participant in the Council of Accreditation of Canadian University Programs in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology accreditation review of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto 2008
President of the University of Toronto Speech-Language Pathology Alumni Association 2003 – 2008
Participant in the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies accreditation review of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Toronto 2006
Member of the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Awards Committee 2003 – 2008
Member of the Neuroimaging Interest Group in the Brain and Behaviour Program in the Research Institute at The Hospital for Sick Children 2004 – present
Member of the fMRI Interest Group in the Research Institute at the Toronto Western Hospital 2005-present
Member of the MEG Users’ Group in the Research Institute at the Hospital for Sick Children 2005-present
MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Expert spokesperson for the 25th Anniversary of the Roll Up the Rim contest public relations campaign by Tim Hortons Inc. Responded to Ipsos Canada survey results that reported that 56% of Canadians cannot produce an alveolar trill and provided education on the development and production of retroflex and alveolar trill /r/ sounds via appearances on radio (680news Toronto, ON; 570news Kitchner, ON; C100 Halifax) and television outlets (CityTV, Toronto, ON; CHCH Hamilton, ON; WKBW Channel 7 Buffalo, NY; Western New York Living Buffalo, NY). February 2011.
The Toronto Star. Doctoral research was featured in a Science column entitled Sounds and Echoes: Exploring the brain bases of stuttering. September 2007.
MEMBERSHIPS
2010 – present American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
2005 – present ASHA Special Interest Division 4 – Fluency and Fluency Disorders
2000 – present College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO)
1998-2010 Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA)