Dr. Kraft's current research focuses on the biological and behavioral genetics of stuttering, autism, SLI, SSD, and hearing loss. Other research interests include neuro-anatomical and functional features of people who stutter, auditory feedback mechanisms of speech control, autism treatment strategies, new genetic analysis techniques for modeling epigenetic complexity and exploring the relationship between cognition, temperament, and stuttering severity.
Dr. Kraft is the director of the Behavior, Speech & Genetics Lab (Rackham 051), where the majority of her research is conducted. Her latest research showcases novel approaches to the identification of gene-to-gene interaction and regulation as new genetic methodologies offer the promise of identifying etiological bases for many developmental disorders including speech and language disorders.
Dr. Kraft's research team in collaboration with the Univeristy of Texas, Baylor Medical, and Vanderbuilt University, was recently awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to identify genes for stuttering. She will be collecting saliva samples from people all around the world who stutter.
If you are a person who stutters, or has ever stuttered, and you are interested in participating in this study, please click here to register!
Study Background: Stuttering is a developmental speech disorder that commonly runs in families. With an onset between the ages of 2-5 years old, 5-6% of children will stutter and 1% of adults will stutter. In some places of the world 11-14% of the population stutters! The genes contributing this disorder have not been conclusively identified in the population at large. This study will investigate thousands of people who currently stutter, or ever stuttered as children, for genetic markers of the disorder. Discoveries will lead to better treatment options, development of prevention strategies, and give answers to the people affected.
Education
BA Audiology & Speech Sciences, Michigan State University
MA Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University
PhD Speech Language Pathology & Human Genetics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
PostDoctoral Scholar Human Genetics, University of Chicago
Awards and grants
Center for Mendelian Genomics Genes for Persistent Developmental Stuttering: Australian Cohort The goal of this study is to investigate the genetics underlying this speech and language disorder. The investigation will focus on the genetics, neurobiology, cognitive and severity phenotypes within families enriched for the disorder located in Perth, Australia. Role: Principal Investigator, Collaborator, AnalystWSU Genetics Research Grant Biomarkers for Speech Disorders: An Imaging Genetics Study The goal of this study is to investigate the pathophysiology of stuttering in 40 adults who persistently stutter and 40 matched controls. In collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, The investigation will explore gene expression, neurobiology, and allelic variation in respect to anatomical and functional differences within the experimental cohort. Role: Co-Principal InvestigatorNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)Genetic Study of Developmental Stuttering This study will examine genome-wide genetic risk in 800 unrelated non-consanguineous individuals who stutter and 3000 ancestry matched controls with replication of top signals in an additional independent 1000 cases and 1000 controls, comprising the largest proposed genetic study of stuttering to date and aimed at the identification of genes and transmission models responsible for the disorder. Role: Principal Investigator
2009 Outstanding Teaching Award, List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (Fall 2009, SHS 410) 2009 Outstanding Teaching Award, List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (Fall 2009, SHS 577) 2010 Excellent Teaching Award, List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (Spring 2010, SHS 593) 2013 Manuel Garcia Award International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics http://www.candgnews.com/news/wsu-prof-earns-international-award-research-stuttering 2015 Outstanding Professor of the Year, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Wayne State University 2017 Outstanding Professor of the Year, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Wayne State University