Biography

Edwin Maas, PhD, is Associate Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Temple University. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Dutch Literature and Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Neurolinguistics from the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and worked as a clinical linguist at the Rotterdam Aphasia Foundation before pursuing and earning his PhD in Language and Communicative Disorders from San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. Following his PhD, he received postdoctoral training in Speech Motor Control at Boston University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He joined Temple University in 2015.

Edwin’s translational and clinical research centers on speech disorders, in particular apraxia of speech in children and adults (with collaborative research on other speech and language disorders). His main research program includes two research lines motivated by two major clinical challenges: diagnosis and treatment of apraxia of speech.

The first research line focuses on improving diagnosis of apraxia of speech, in particular differential diagnosis. This translational research line encompasses studies to characterize the nature of speech disorders in terms of underlying processes and mechanisms, and studies to identify sensitive and objective measures that may differentiate speech disorders (including possible subtypes), and predict treatment response and long-term outcomes (prognosis).

The second research line focuses on improving treatment outcomes for children and adults with apraxia of speech. This line involves clinical trials research (single-case experimental designs and randomized controlled trials) to (a) determine efficacy, (b) optimize treatment parameters, and (3) identify predictors of treatment response in order to facilitate personalized, optimally targeted intervention.

The long-term goals of Edwin’s research are to improve diagnostic tools and intervention methods, and thereby improve the communicative quality of life and well-being of individuals with apraxia of speech.

Education

• PhD, Language and Communicative Disorders, San Diego State University
• MA, Neurolinguistics, University of Groningen
• BA, Dutch Linguistics and Literature, University of Groningen