Communication Sciences and Disorders

Biography

Dr. Elizabeth Grillo earned a B.M. in vocal performance from Indiana University, an M.S. in speech-language pathology from Teacher's College Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in communication science and disorders from the University of Pittsburgh. Her clinical expertise is in voice disorders and in medical speech-language pathology. Currently, her research related to voice is addressing voice therapy efficacy, telepractice, and an app for daily voice practice supported by an R15 from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding from a prior NIDCD R15 facilitated creation of the VoiceEvalU8 app, server, and web portal and completion of a clinical study using the Global Voice Prevention and Therapy Model with Estill Voice Training. Other research and pedagogical interests include interprofessional education, interprofessional practice, and simulation. Dr. Grillo is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and an Estill Master Trainer. Her work has been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at local, state, national, and international conferences.

Education

Ph.D. in Communication Science and Disorders:
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; June 2006
Dissertation: The Role of Sensory Feedback on the Coordination Dynamics of a Limb and a Voice Task.
Advisor: Katherine Verdolini Abbott, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology:
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY; May 2000

B.M. in Music, Voice Performance:
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; May 1997
Studied Voice under Costanza Cuccaro

Courses

Undergraduate

Course Number	Course Name
CSD 101	Introduction to Communicative Disorders (Undergraduate, online)
CSD 203	Speech and Hearing Science (Undergraduate, in-person and online)
CSD 401	Introduction to Clinical Research Methods (Undergraduate, online, fulfills ethics and speaking emphasis general education requirements)
CSD498/SLP598	Interprofessional Education and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Considerations (Undergraduate, in-person and online)
SLP 456	Interprofessional Simulation (Undergraduate and Graduate, in-person and online, fulfills interdisciplinary and speaking emphasis general education requirements)
SLP 551	Graduate Clinical Practicum (Graduate)
SLP 523	Voice Disorders (Graduate)
SLP 552/553	Medical/School Based Affiliation Practicum (Graduate)
SLP 575	Medical Speech-Language Pathology (Graduate)
SLP 582	Dysphagia (Graduate)

Certifications and Licensure

Estill Master Trainer, Estill Voice International (January 18, 2022-present)

Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, Society for Simulation in Healthcare (December 2, 2019 – present)

Certificate of Estill Figure Proficiency, Estill Voice International (March 30, 2017-January 18, 2022)

Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Speech-Language Pathology (2008 – 2021)

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (2001-present)

Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, Speech-Language Pathology (2001-present)

Awards

WCU Spotlight on Faculty Research and Creative Activity Award for Leadership and Innovation (April 29, 2022). For two National Institutes of Health funded grants on 1) developing two mobile applications called VoiceEvalU8 and VoicePractice and 2) improving the efficacy of voice therapy concepts via telepractice. Both grants provide WCU students opportunities to participate in the research process.

Awarded the 2018 Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions in Higher Education from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  She was honored at the 2018 ASHA Convention in Boston, MA.

Won second place for Best Clinical Poster at The Fall Voice Conference (2017) for Tele-Voice Evaluation through a Smartphone and Tablet App.  The prize was $125.00.

Selected as one of 10 faculty highlighted for the first ever Spotlight on Research Award (November 2016). 

Received WCU’s Distinguished Sponsored Research Award (May 2016).  The award is presented to full-time faculty members for their outstanding achievements in creative, research or scholarly activities in achievement of external grant support.  The award was presented during the December 2016 graduation ceremonies. 

Recent Grants Received

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health Research Enhancement Award R15DC019954 ($387,148, 09/15/2021 – 08/31/2024) "Improving Efficacy of Voice Therapy Concepts via Telepractice and Mobile App Technology"

State System Faculty Professional Development Council (FPDC) Annual Grant Program
“Faculty Simulation Education Practices that Support Student Learning and Engagement.” 
($10,000 Summer 2019-Fall 2020)
P.I. Dr. Christine Thomas
Role as Co-Investigator: Drs. Nancy Barker, Patricia Davidson, and Elizabeth Grillo

National Institutes of Health Division of Loan Repayment (2016-2019).  Educational student loans are paid by the award, ($38,948.60 total over 3 years). 

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) R15DC014566 ($410,260, 09/15/2015 – 05/31/2020).  “Effectiveness of Telepractice by Smartphone App Technology in Preventing Voice Problems.” 

Publications & Presentations

Publications (*** indicates students as co-authors)

Invited Peer-reviewed Publications

Grillo, E.U. (2021). Functional voice assessment and therapy methods supported by telepractice, VoiceEvalU8, and Estill Voice Training. Seminars in Speech and Language, 42(1), 41-53. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8417890/

Grillo, E.U. (2019).  Building a successful voice telepractice program.  Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups (SIG 3), 4(1), 100-110.  https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_PERS-SIG3-2018-0014

Grillo, E.U.  (2017).  An online telepractice model for the prevention of voice disorders in vocally healthy student teachers evaluated by a smartphone application.  Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups (SIG 3), 2(2), 63-78. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5590670/

Peer-reviewed Publications

***Grillo, E.U., Corej, B., & Wolfberg, J. (2021). Normative values of client-reported outcome measures and self-ratings of six voice parameters via the VoiceEvalU8 app. Journal of Voice, online ahead of print.

Grillo, E.U. (2021). A nonrandomized trial for student teachers of an in-person and telepractice Global Voice Prevention and Therapy Model with Estill Voice Training assessed by the VoiceEvalU8 app. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Feb 1, 1-18.

***Grillo, E.U. & Wolfberg, J. (2020). An assessment of different Praat versions for acoustic measures analyzed automatically by VoiceEvalU8 and manually by two raters. Journal of Voice, Dec 2

Grillo, E.U.  (2020).  A phrase captures aerodynamic and acoustic data in healthy voice users and in patients with voice Disorders. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 45(1), 24-29.

Davidson, P., Heinerichs, S., Reed, M., Grillo, E., Thomas, C., Sankaran. G., Curtis, N., & Bean, N.  (2019) Students’ knowledge and attitudes: An interprofessional education workshop and experience.  International Journal of Health Sciences Education, 6 (1), https://dc.etsu.edu/ijhse/vol6/iss1/3/

***Grillo, E.U. & Brosious, J.N.  (2019). Results of a voice-related survey of physical education student teachers.  Communication Disorders Quarterly, 40(2), 99-108.  DOI: 10.1177/1525740118774207.

Grillo, E.U. (2017). Results of a survey offering clinical insights into speech-language pathology telepractice methods.  International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 9(2), 25-30. 

***Grillo, E.U., Brosious, J., Sorrell, S., & Anand, S.  (2016).  Influence of smartphones and software on acoustic voice measures.  International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 8(2), 9-14.

Grillo, E.U. & Thomas, C. (2016).  Using high-fidelity simulation to facilitate graduate student clinical learning.  Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups (SIG 10), 1, 4-15.    

Grillo, E.U., Koenig, M.A, Gunter, C.D., & Kim, S.  (2015).  Teaching CSD graduate students to think critically, apply   evidence, and write professionally.  Communication Disorders Quarterly, 36(4), 241-251.  

***Grillo, E.U., Magliano, R., & DiSario, J. (2013).  Agreement among Computerized Speech Lab, Praat, and WaveSurfer in determining formant frequencies. PSHA Journal, December, 42-45.

Verdolini Abbott, K., Li, Y.K., Branski, R.C., Rosen, C.A., Grillo, E.U., Steinhauer, K., & Hebda, P.A.  (2012).  Vocal exercise may attenuate acute vocal fold inflammation.  Journal of Voice, 26(6), 814.e1-13.

Grillo, E.U.  (2012).  Clinical investigation of the Global Voice Therapy Model.  International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 14(2), 156-164.

***Grillo, E.U. & Fugowski, J.M.  (2011).  Voice characteristics of female physical education student teachers.  Journal of Voice, 25 (3), 149-157.

Grillo, E.U., Verdolini Abbott, K., & Lee, T.  (2010).  Effects of masking noise on laryngeal resistance for breathy, normal and pressed voice.  Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 53(4), 850-861. 

Grillo, E.U., Almeida, Q., Lee, T.D., & Verdolini Abbott, K.  (2010).  Do vision and audition influence bimanual timing coordination for in-phase and anti-phase patterns in a linear slide task?  The Open Sports Sciences Journal, 3, 105-110. 

***Grillo, E.U., Perta, K. & Smith, L.  (2009).  Laryngeal resistance distinguished pressed, normal, and breathy voice in vocally untrained females.  Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 34(1), 43-48.  

Grillo, E.U & Verdolini, K. (2008).  Evidence for distinguishing pressed, normal, resonant, and breathy voice qualities by     laryngeal resistance and vocal efficiency in vocally trained subjects.  Journal of Voice, 22(5), 546-552.

Selected Invited Presentations

Grillo, E.U., Davidson, P., Thomas, C., & Moran, A. (2022). Applying Innovative Interprofessional Simulation in Academic Courses and Across Curriculums. Invited 1.5 hour seminar at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language- Hearing Association Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Swasey Washington, P., Grillo, E.U., & Davidson, P. (2022). Culturally and Linguistically Diverse IPE/IPP: International, Virtual, and Hybrid. Invited 1.5 hour seminar at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Grillo, E.U., Petty, B., & Zacharias, S. (2021). Telepractice and Technology in Voice. Invited 2-hour virtual Master Class by the Special Interest Group 3 Voice and Voice Disorders at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Washington D.C. An honorarium was given to all three presenters for convention registration.

Grillo, E.U. (October 1, 2021). An invited panelist for Education and Programming for Integrated Care (EPIC) at West Chester University covering the topic of Integrated Care and Support for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents.

Grillo, E.U., Davidson, P., & Swasey Washington, P. (June 4, 2021). Implementation of an International Interprofessional Education and Practice Clinical Elective with Community Partners. One-hour Keynote presentation at the Stockton University virtual IPE conference.

Grillo, E.U. (March 25, 2021). A nonrandomized trial for student teachers of an in-person and telepractice Global Voice Prevention and Therapy Model with Estill Voice Training assessed by the VoiceEvalU8 app. One-hour presentation for the Estill Voice Training Research Report.

Grillo, E.U., Van Stan, J., Hunter, E., van Leer, E., & Hillman, R.  (November 2018).  Therapy is More Than the Treatment Room:  Using Mobile Technology to Foster Compliance & Generalization.  2-hour seminar at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Boston, MA.

Invited Online Continuing Education Courses

Grillo, E.U. (2015) Treatment of Voice Disorders: The Global Voice Therapy Model (GVTM) for Children and Adults.  Two Hour Online course for Northern Speech Services, Gaylord, MI.

Grillo, E.U. (2015) Assessment of Voice Disorders in Children and Adults: Using Inexpensive Low and High Tech Resources to Complete a Comprehensive Voice Evaluation. Two Hour Online course for Northern Speech Services, Gaylord, MI. 

Selected Presentations at Peer-reviewed International & National Conferences (*** indicates students as co-authors)

***Frazier, J., Breslin, H., & Grillo, E.U. (2023). Gender Diverse Interprofessional Support Group via Telepractice: Connection, Community, Voice. Virtual iPoster and In-person Poster at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Boston, MA.

Grillo, E.U. (2023). Reimaging Graduate Academic Courses to Include Synchronous Simulations. 30-minute technical clinical session both virtual and in-person at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Boston, MA.

Grillo, E.U., Huang, T., Kim, S., Koenig, M., Means, J., Swasey Washington, P., & Zimmerman, R. (2023). Evolution of Education and Clinical Service Delivery: Celebrating 100 Years. Virtual iPoster and In-person Poster at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Boston, MA.

Maas, E., Cler, G., Chang, SE., Grillo, E.U., & Pham, G. (2023). Successful Research Grant Writing in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Advice from Experts. One-hour in-person seminar at the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association Convention, Boston, MA.

Grillo, E.U. (2023). Perceptions of Voice Therapy Approaches Following a Single Subject Design. Podium Presentation. Fall Voice Conference, Washington DC.

Grillo, E.U. (2023). Vocal and Mental Effort Ratings Following Daily Voice Practice Sessions. Poster Presentation. Fall Voice Conference, Washington DC.

***McLaughlin, T. & Grillo, E.U. (2022). The Effects of Different Simulation Experiences on Student Confidence. Virtual iPoster at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, New Orleans, LA.

***Frank, G. & Grillo E.U. (2022). Treatment Outcomes of Individuals with Laryngectomies: Provider Identified Facilitators and Barriers. Virtual iPoster at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Swasey Washington, P. Grillo, E.U., & Davidson, P. (2021). International Education and Practice Internationally and During COVID-19. One-hour virtual seminar at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Washington D.C.

***Corej, B., Wolfberg, J., & Grillo, E.U. (June 2021). An Assessment of Perceptual Measures Administered by Paper and Pencil and by the VoiceEvalU8 App. 3-minute poster presentation at the 50th Annual Voice Foundation Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, PA virtual conference.

***Grillo, E.U. & Wolfberg, J. (June 2021). An Assessment of Different Praat Versions for Acoustic Measures Analyzed Automatically by VoiceEvalU8 and Manually by Two Raters. 3-minute poster presentation at the 50th Annual Voice Foundation Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, PA virtual conference.

Grillo, E.U. (May 21, 2021). Simulation via Zoom Videoconferencing. Philadelphia Area Simulation Consortium: SimNovation virtual conference.

Grillo, E.U. (March-July 2021). A nonrandomized trial for student teachers of an in-person and telepractice Global Voice Prevention and Therapy Model with Estill Voice Training assessed by the VoiceEvalU8 app. 15-minute presentation at the Australian Voice Association Voice Composium21 virtual format, 14th International Conference on Advances in Quantitative Laryngology, Voice and Speech Research virtual conference, and the Estill World Voice Symposium virtual conference.

Grillo, E.U., Kohlmorgen, T., & Queen, T.  (2019).  Trans Voice Care.  One-hour seminar at the Trans Wellness Conference, Philadelphia, PA.    

Selected Presentations at State and Local Organizations (*** indicates students as co-authors)

***Buccellato, M., Feeley, K., Kircher, H., McLaughlin, T., Napuda, K., Ozmon, H., Patterson, I., Wrigley, P., & Grillo, E.U. (April 2023). Graduate Student Preparation and Facilitation of Clinical Voice Research, poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Valley Forge Casino Resort.

***Clark, C., Foley, J., Marnien, K., & Grillo, E.U. (April 2023). Hearing Aid Types for Pediatric and Geriatric Populations, poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Valley Forge Casino Resort.

***Gallagher, M., & Grillo, E.U. (April 2023). An Interprofessional Support Group Serving Transgender Individuals and Their Families, poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Valley Forge Casino Resort.

***McLaughlin, T., & Grillo, E.U. (April 2023). The Effects of Different Simulation Experiences on Student Confidence, poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Valley Forge Casino Resort.

***Frank, G. and Grillo, E.U. (Faculty Advisor) Treatment Outcomes of Individuals with Laryngectomies: Provider Identified Facilitators and Barriers. Meritorious poster presentation selected by the convention planning committee at the 2022 Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention, Pittsburgh, PA.

Many Co-authors (April 2022). Telepractice during COVID-19: Student and Professional Perspectives. Serving as a Presenter and Moderator. WCU’s National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association Zoom Virtual Conference.

***Corej, B., Wolfberg, J., & Grillo, E.U. (June 2021). An Assessment of Perceptual Measures Administered by Paper and Pencil and by the VoiceEvalU8 App. 10-minute poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language- Hearing Association virtual convention.

***Bogunovich, K., Catinella, E., Quick, C. & Grillo, E.U.  (April 2019).  Voice Therapy for Transgender Voice Clients.  30-minute technical session at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention in Lancaster, PA.

***Gale, K., Wolfberg, J., & Grillo, E.U.  (April 2019).  Reliability between Praat and VoiceEvalU8 for analysis of voice measures.  Poster presentation at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention in Lancaster, PA.

Grillo, E.U. & Davidson, P. (April 2019).  Building a Successful Interprofessional Education Framework across Health Science Disciplines.  90-minute seminar at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association convention in Lancaster, PA.

Grillo, E.U., Koenig, M., & Swasey Washington, P. (2018).  Use of Clinical Simulation across the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Curriculum.  90-minute seminar at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s annual convention (March 2018), Pittsburgh, PA.

Articles

“As West Chester Elevates Its Research Status, One Professor’s Work Aims to Save Teachers’ Voices.” Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer (April 29, 2022) .

"WCU Professor Awarded 2nd National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant to Expand Groundbreaking Research on Innovative Method of Vocal Health Delivery." Published on West Chester University’s website under University News (November 2, 2021).

Speech-Language Pathologists (Liz Grillo and Patricia Swasey Washington) & Registered Dietician (Patricia Davidson) Coordinate International Team of Students/Faculty to Offer Free Screening to Local Community Children & Others for Health Disorders. Published in the Daily Local News (December 12, 2019) Published on West Chester University’s website under University News (December 16, 2019)

“Liz Grillo’s VoiceEvalU8 Research Involves WCU Students Across Multiple Departments.”  Published on West Chester University’s website under University News (December 3, 2018). 

“NIH Grant Supports Innovative Smartphone and Telepractice Technology to Safeguard Teachers’ Voices.” Published in West Chester University’s Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activities Annual report (2014-2015).

“$410,260 NIH Grant Supports Research on Prevention of Voice Disorders.”  Published on West Chester University’s website under University News (September 28, 2015).

 “Voice Disorders and PE Student Teachers.” Published in Advance for Speech and Hearing (June 30, 2014).

Television and Radio

6abc Television News Story on March 6, 2019, Better Training for Teachers Most Important Tool - the Voice. 
Video of 6ABC Interview

WHYY Radio News Story on May 6, 2019, West Chester Professer wants to be a voice coach for teachers. 

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Video Series

Infinite Opportunities on PCN, Season Two (March 6 Health and Wellness).  Elizabeth Grillo, a faculty member from West Chester University, is interviewed at 19:45.