By Jill Pease
Ava Moran, a Doctor of Audiology student in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, has been selected to participate in a research training program designed to provide Au.D. students with direct laboratory experience necessary to further their own research experience and training.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work hands-on in this advanced research setting with experts in the field,” Moran said. “This is an opportunity that I have worked very hard for with the help of my amazing professors, advisors and preceptors here at UF. I am honored to have been selected.”
The program is sponsored by a National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders short-term training grant known as a T35.
Moran will complete her training this summer in the Dan Maddox Hearing Aid Research Laboratory at Vanderbilt University under the direction of Todd Ricketts, Ph.D., a professor and vice-chair of graduate studies in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences. The lab aims to enhance the quality of life for those with hearing loss by researching optimization of amplification technologies and refining hearing aid fittings and counseling techniques.
The opportunity is especially meaningful for Moran, who has been following the work of Vanderbilt audiology researchers throughout her academic career.
“I have applied the published work by the highly reputable faculty of Vanderbilt in my graduate studies, clinical work, and as inspiration for my interest in participating in research,” she said.
In addition to working on a specific research project in the lab, Moran will participate in discussions on responsible conduct in research, a specifically designed seminar series and journal club, and have opportunities to present her work.
“This traineeship will equip me with the skills to become a patient-centered, evidence-informed clinician as well as an effective researcher within my specific research interests in audiology,” Moran said. “This traineeship allows me the opportunity to work toward my professional goals of contributing to the development of evidence-based practices in audiology. I am excited to use the resources offered during this program to meet these goals.”