Katelyn Kotlarek Wins the Young Professional Scholarship From the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association

Katelyn Kotlarek, an assistant professor in the Division of Communication Disorders at the University of Wyoming, is the recipient of the 2020 Mazaheri Young Professional Scholarship from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. The ACPA is an association of health care professionals and scientists who treat and/or conduct research on oral cleft and craniofacial conditions.

Dr. Kotlarek joined the Division of Communication Disorders in the College of Health Sciences in 2019 and has established the Speech Imaging Laboratory. Using integrated imaging technology, advanced 3D computer visualization, and acoustic and aerodynamic speech data, Dr. Kotlarek examines the anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism in children and adults with cleft palate.

“My research aims to improve speech and surgical outcomes, and the standard of care for individuals with cleft palate and other craniofacial anomalies,” Dr. Kotlarek said.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Kotlarek earned a master’s degree at Florida State University and a Ph.D. at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.