Join Us

Graduate Students

Dr. Smith routinely mentors graduate students as research assistants and thesis advisees on projects involving adult swallowing function, pediatric feeding and swallowing, and interdisciplinary collaboration across clinical settings. 

Our current existing projects include studies on tongue pressure measurement, swallowing efficiency, and interdisciplinary approaches to feeding and swallowing care. 

Interested students are encouraged to contact Dr. Smith directly at smithj181@southernct.edu for potential research opportunities.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

We welcome undergraduate students who are interested in exploring research on adult and pediatric feeding and swallowing. Undergraduate students work closely with graduate students and Dr. Smith in a supportive, collaborative environment. 

Students will learn to collect and analyze data, assist with participant recruitment and testing, review research literature, and contribute to research design. Through this experience, students will also develop a foundational understanding of the scientific discovery process as part of their lab training.

Undergraduate research assistants are expected to commit at least 2–6 hours per week for a minimum of one semester. A longer commitment is preferred, as it allows students to gain deeper experience and pursue independent projects or poster presentations.

If you are interested in joining the APPS Lab, please email Dr. Smith at smithj181@southernct.edu