James Curtis, PhD, CCC-SLP
Clinical Researcher | Speech-Language Pathologist
Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
Employment & Positions
Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology
Aerodigestive Innovations Research Lab (AIR) - Director
Sean Parker Institute for the Voice
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
Weill Cornell Medicine
New York, NY, USA
(2022-present)
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Communication Sciences and Disorders Program
Department of Biobehavioral Sciences
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY, USA
(2020-present)
Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical/Research
Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction
Department of Biobehavioral Sciences
Columbia University
New York, NY, USA
(2016-2022)
Clinical Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinical Specialist
UCSF Voice and Swallowing Center; UCSF Head & Neck Cancer Center
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center
San Francisco, CA, USA
(2013-2016)
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Columbia University
New York, NY, USA
Master of Science (MS) in Communication Sciences and Disorders
New York University
New York, NY, USA
Bachelor of Music (BM) in Vocal Performance and Pre-Medical Studies
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI, USA
Fellowship Trainings
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction
Department of Biobehavioral Sciences
Columbia University
New York, NY, USA
(2020-2022)
Clinical Fellowship in in Speech-Language Pathology
UCSF Voice and Swallowing Center; UCSF Head & Neck Cancer Center
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center
San Francisco, CA, USA
(2013-2013)
Publications
2022
Curtis, J.A. (2022). A "Scoping" Review and Tutorial for Developing Standardized and Transparent Protocols for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. DOI: 10.1044/2022_PERSP-22-00118
Curtis, J.A., Borders, J.C., Troche, M.S. (2022). Visual Analysis of Swallowing Efficiency and Safety (VASES): Establishing Criterion-Referenced Validity and Concurrent Validity. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. DOI: 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00116
2021
Curtis, J.A., Huber, J.E., Dakin, A.E., Troche, M.S. (2021). Effects of Bolus Holding on Respiratory-Swallow Coordination in Parkinson's Disease. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. DOI: 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00044
Borders, J. C., Sevitz, J. S., Curtis, J. A., Vanegas‐Arroyave, N., & Troche, M. S. (2021). Sensorimotor Cough Dysfunction Is Prevalent and Pervasive in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Movement Disorders, 36(11), 2624-2633
Curtis, J.A., Borders, J.C., Perry, S.E., Dakin, A.E., Seikaly, Z.N., Troche, M.S. (2021). Visual analysis of Swallowing Efficiency and Safety (VASES): A standardized approach to rating pharyngeal residue, penetration, and aspiration during FEES. Dysphagia. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-021-10293-5
Curtis, J.A., Seikaly, Z., Dakin A., Troche, M.S. (2021). Detection of Aspiration, Penetration, and Pharyngeal Residue During Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing: Comparing the Effects of Color, Coating, and Opacity. Dysphagia, 36(2), 207-215. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-020-10131-0
Curtis, J.A., Laus, J., Schneider, S.M., Troche, M.S. (2021). Examining the Relationships of Lingual Strength, Perihyoid Strength, and Swallowing Kinematics in Dysphagic Adults: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 64(2), 405-416. DOI: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00143
Borders, J. C., Curtis, J. A., Sevitz, J. S., Vanegas-Arroyave, N., & Troche, M. S. (2021). Immediate Effects of Sensorimotor Training in Airway Protection (smTAP) on Cough Outcomes in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: A Feasibility Study. Dysphagia, 1-10.
Enver, N., Borders, J.C., Curtis, J.A., Sevitz, J.M., Vanegas, N.., Troche, M.S. (2021). The Role of Vocal Fold Bowing on Cough and Swallowing Dysfunction in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Laryngoscope, 131(6), 1217-1222. DOI: 10.1002/larry.28885
2020
Curtis, J.A., Seikaly, Z., Troche, M. S. (2020). Respiratory-Swallow Coordination Training Improves Swallowing Safety and Efficiency in a Person with Anoxic Brain Injury. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(4), 1965-1975. DOI: 10.1044/2020_AJSLP-20-00095
Curtis, J.A., Dakin, A., Troche, M.S. (2020). Respiratory-Swallow Coordination Training and Voluntary Cough Skill Training in a Person with Parkinson’s Disease: A Single-Subject Treatment Study. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63(3), 1-15. DOI: 10.1044/2019_JSLHR-19-00207
Curtis, J.A., Troche, M.S. (2020). Effects of Verbal Cueing on Respiratory-Swallow Patterning, Lung Volume at Swallow Initiation, and Swallow Apnea Duration in Parkinson’s Disease. Dysphagia, 35(3), 460-470. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-019-10050-9
Curtis, J.A., Molfenter, S.M., Troche, M.S. (2020). Pharyngeal Area Changes in Parkinson’s Disease and Its Effect on Swallowing Safety, Efficiency, and Kinematics. Dysphagia, 35(2), 389-398. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-019-10052-7
Curtis, J.A., Molfenter, S.M., Troche, M.S. (2020). Predictors of Residue and Airway Invasion in Parkinson’s Disease. Dysphagia, 35(2), 220-230. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-019-10014-z
Curtis, J.A. and Troche, M.S (2020). Handheld Cough Testing (HCT): A Novel Tool for Cough Assessment and Dysphagia Screening in Parkinson’s Disease. Dysphagia, 35(6), 993-1000. DOI: 10.1007/s00455-020-10097-z
2019
Curtis, J.A., Perry, S.E., Troche, M.S. (2019). Detection of Airway Invasion During Flexible Endoscopic Evaluations of Swallowing: Comparing Barium, Blue Dye, and Green Dye. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28(2), 515-520. DOI: 10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0119
Curtis, J.A., Langenstein, J., Troche, M.S., Laus, J., & Schneider, S.M. (2019). Open Mouth-Maximal Isometric Press (OM-MIP): Development and Norms for Clinical Swallowing Evaluations and Treatment. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28(1), 148-154. DOI: 10.1044/2018_AJSLP-18-0137
Yiu, Y., Curtis, J.A., Perry, S.E., Troche, M. (2019). Relationship of Vocal Fold Atrophy to Swallowing Safety and Cough Function in Parkinson’s Disease. The Laryngoscope, 130(2), 303-308. DOI: 10.1002/lary.28158
2018
Curtis, J.A., Langenstein, J.R., & Schneider, S.M. (2018). Superior and Anterior Hyoid Displacement During Swallowing in Non-Dysphagic Individuals. Dysphagia, 33(5), 602-609 DOI: 10.1007/s00455-018-9878-7)
Perry, S., Sevitz, J., Curtis, J.A., Kuo S-H., & Troche, M. (2018). Skill-Training Resulted in Improved Swallowing in a Person with Multiple System Atrophy: An Endoscopy Study. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, 4(5), 451-452. DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.12628
2017
Chang, J., Schneider, S., Curtis, J.A., Langenstein, J., & Yung, K. (2017). Outcomes of Medialization Laryngoplasty with and without Arytenoid Adduction. The Laryngoscope, 127(11), 2591-2595. DOI: 10.1002/lary.26773
2016
Curtis, J.A., Laus, J., Yung, K., & Courey, M. (2016). Static Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (SEES): Transoral Rigid Endoscopy During Clinical Swallow Evaluations. The Laryngoscope, 126(10), 2291-2294. DOI: 10.1002/lary.25828
Non-Peer Reviewed Book Chapters
Curtis, J.A. “The role of stimulability testing and voice therapy for patients with large benign vocal fold lesions.” Branski, R., & Molfenter, S. (Eds.). Speech-Language Pathology Casebook (2019). New York, NY: Thieme Publishers.
Curtis, J.A. “Hoot-n-Hollar: A Flow Phonation & Resonant Voice Exercise.” Leborgne, W.D., & Rosenberg, M. The Vocal Athlete Workbook: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, Second Edition (2019). San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.
Curtis, J.A. “Hoot-n-Hollar: A Flow Phonation & Resonant Voice Exercise.” Leborgne, W.D., & Rosenberg, M. The Vocal Athlete Workbook: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, First Edition (2014). San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.
Teaching Experience
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Assessment and Intervention of Dysphagia (BBSQ 5130)
Teachers College, Columbia University
Spring 2022, Spring 2021
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Voice Disorders (BBSQ 5113)
Teachers College, Columbia University
Fall 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2020
Instructor
Voice Disorders (BBSQ 5113)
Teachers College, Columbia University
Summer 2020
Instructor
Clinical Speech Pathology Practice in the Medical Setting (BBS 5199)
Teachers College, Columbia University
Fall 2019
Instructor
Assessment and Intervention of Dysphagia (BBSQ 5130)
Teachers College, Columbia University
Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Scholarships & Grants
Award: Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Parkinson's Disease
Funding Sources: American Brain Foundation and the Parkinson's Foundation in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology
Purpose: Postdoctoral Fellowship Training
Date: 2020-2022
Award: CAPCSD PhD Scholarship
Funding Source: Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD)
Purpose: Doctoral Dissertation Scholarship
Date: 2020
Award: New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarship
Funding Source: ASHFoundation
Purpose: Doctoral Studies Training
Date: 2018
Award: Doctoral Fellowship Award
Funding Source: Teachers College, Columbia University
Purpose: Doctoral Studies Training
Date: 2016-2020
Awards
Award: New Investigator's Award
Awarding Body: Dysphagia Research Society
Date: 2020
Award: Research Dissertation Award
Awarding Body: Teachers College, Columbia University
Date: 2020
Award: Distinguished Research Award in Dysphagia
Awarding Body: American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders
Date: 2019
Award: Junior Investigator Award
Awarding Body: Dysphagia Research Society
Date: 2019