Swallowing Disorders

Angela Dietsch studies the sensory and motor aspects of neural control for speech, voice, and swallowing functions, across age groups, genders and health conditions. To better understand and treat speech, voice, and swallowing disorders, she has mapped the neural networks that underlie taste perception, speech and swallowing coordination, and tongue movements. She teaches classes in speech, voice, and swallowing disorders and directs the Sensorimotor Integration for Swallowing and Communication Laboratory. An associate professor and graduate chair for the Department of Special Education Disorders, Dietsch is among resident faculty at UNL’s Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior. (Updated June 2025)

Steven Barlow studies the neurobiology of the somatosensory and motor systems -- the parts of the nervous system that transmit sensations such as pain, pressure or warmth, and control voluntary and involuntary movement, such as speech and swallowing and movement of hands, fingers, feet and toes. Much of Barlow’s career has focused on facilitating brain development among infants born prematurely. In recent years, he has turned to brain plasticity among adult stroke patients, working with biological systems engineers to develop the pTACS Somatosensory Biomedical Device. The pTACS is a patented portable treatment that uses micro pulses of air to trigger nerve responses to reduce brain damage resulting from strokes. Barlow also invented the NTrainer System, which similarly uses pulsed skin stimulation to aid in developing feeding skills, brain development and behavior and learning outcomes for premature infants. The Corwin Moore Professor of Special Education and Communication Disorders, Barlow holds a courtesy appointment with Biological Systems Engineering and is among resident faculty at the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior. (Updated June 2025.)