We are pleased to announce that Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) Postdoctoral Fellow Abhijeet Patra, PhD, recently accepted a permanent senior lecturer position in speech-language therapy at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Dr. Patra came to MRRI in Dec 2018 to continue his research training working in the Language and Learning Laboratory with his mentor Erica Middleton, PhD. Prior to his time at MRRI, Abhijeet was awarded his PhD in clinical language sciences from the University of Reading, UK in 2018 where he examined the relationship between word production and cognitive control in healthy bilinguals as well as in bilinguals with aphasia. The pursuit of a research career in communication disorder stems from the theoretical experience Dr. Patra obtained during his master’s degree in cognitive science in consort with the clinical exposure attained during the four-years of his undergraduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology in India.  

Dr. Patra’s research interests are in improving the understanding of the interplay between cognitive and linguistic processes required for successful communication in healthy and neurologically impaired speakers (such as aphasia). In his new position at Manchester Metropolitan University, Abhijeet will continue pursuing his current research interests as well as develop, deliver, and help to lead undergraduate and postgraduate programs in speech-language therapy. He will begin his work there in early August 2021. We look forward to continuing to keep in touch with Dr. Patra as he embarks on this next stage of his scientific career.