Graduate Students
Joon Lee
Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Toronto
Advisors: Dr. Tom Chau, Dr. Catriona Steele (Toronto Rehab Institute)
E-mail: joonwulee[at]gmail[dot]com
Education and Training:
BASc in Electrical Engineering, University of Waterloo
Research title:
Investigation of accelerometry, mechanomyography (MMG), and nasal airflow signals for abnormal swallow detection
Research abstract:
Dysphagia (swallowing disorder) is a common consequence of many neurological impairments such as stroke, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson's disease. Currently, dysphagia assessment relies heavily on the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), which requires expensive equipment as well as expertise from trained staff. Not only long wait times are typical with the VFSS, day-to-day monitoring of dysphagia at bedside is also impossible with the VFSS. In light of these shortcomings, the objective of my thesis project is to develop an algorithm that can automatically detect abnormal swallows, which are often closely associated with airway invasion, based on three physiological signals that can be acquired in a non-invasive manner: accelerometry, MMG, and nasal airflow signals. Such an algorithm can lead to a portable, relatively inexpensive diagnostic device that can be easily used by patients with dysphagia or their caregivers.
Funding: NSERC CGS D
Research interests:
biomedical signal analysis, digital signal processing, machine learning, pattern recognition, and data mining.
