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Robert B. Cavanaugh


M.S. CCC-SLP · Ph.D Candidate, University of Pittsburgh
· robcavanaugh.com
orcidID · Github · Twitter
Last updated on 2022-08-02


I’m a PhD candidate and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. My research aims to improve the effectiveness and clinical implementation of aphasia treatment from two perspectives: (1) specifying the active ingredients of aphasia treatments and (2) developing technology-based tools to increase the clinical implementation of aphasia research. To achieve these goals, my research combines training in aphasia treatment theory, quantitative methods and statistical programming, implementation science, and my clinical experiences as a speech-language pathologist. I’m also passionate about sharing and promoting quantitative methods and open science practices within the field of communication sciences and disorders.

Education

PhD Candidate, Communication Science and Disorders

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

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2018 —

M.S. Speech and Hearing Sciences

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

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2015

B.A. Communication Science and Disorders

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Thesis: Working Memory Capacity and Subjective Communication
Difficulties in High Level Aphasia

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2013

Professional Experience

Graduate Student Researcher

Language Rehab and Cognition Lab, University of Pittsburgh
PI: William S. Evans

Speech Pathology and Audiology, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
PI: William D. Hula & Michael Walsh Dickey

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2018 —

Speech-Langauge Pathologist

Carolinas Rehabilitation, Atrium Health

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2015 — 2018

Speech-Langauge Pathologist

Carolinas Neurosciences Institute, Atrium Health

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2016 — 2018

Graduate Research Assistant

Center for Aphasia and Related Disorders, UNC - Chapel Hill
PI: Katarina Haley

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2013 — 2015

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
PI: Patrick Sparto

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2010 — 2013

Grant Support

NIH-NIDCD F31 DC019853-01: Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award

Determinants of multilevel discourse outcomes in anomia treatment for aphasia
Role: PI; Impact Score: 25; Direct Costs: $68,482
Sponsors: Michael Walsh Dickey & William S. Evans

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2021 — 2023

Audrey Holland Endowed Award

Determinants of multilevel discourse outcomes in anomia treatment for aphasia
Role: PI; Direct Costs: $2000

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2021 — 2023

NIH-NCATS TL1 University of Pittsburgh Clinical & Translational Science Fellowship
Comparing Treatment Intensity between Research and Clinical Practice in Post-Stroke Aphasia

Role: Predoctoral Fellow; PI: Kraemer (TL1TR001858)
Mentors: Michael Walsh Dickey, William S. Evans, & Catherine Palmer

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2019 — 2021

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Research Development Fund

Role: PI; Direct Costs: $1000
Faculty Sponsor: William S. Evans

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2019

Scholarships and Awards

NIH-NIDCD Academy of Aphasia conference grant (R13 DC017375-01)

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2022

Plural Publishing Research Scholarship

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2022

ANCDS Conference Student Fellowship

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2020

NIH-NIDCD Academy of Aphasia conference grant (R13 DC017375-01)

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2020

NIH-NIDCD Fellowship: Research Symposium in Clinical Aphasiology

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2019

Adult Communication Disorders Annual Scholarship, UNC-Chapel Hill

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2014

Robert W. Peters Award for excellence in research, UNC-Chapel Hill

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2014

Publications

Quique, Y. M., Cavanaugh, R., Lescht, E., & Evans, W. S. (2022). Applying adaptive distributed practice to self-managed computer-based anomia treatment: A single-case experimental design. Journal of Communication Disorders, 99, 106249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106249

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2022

Boyle, M., Akers, C. M., Cavanaugh, R., Hula, W. D., Swiderski, A. M., & Elman, R. J. (2022). Changes in discourse informativeness and efficiency following communication-based group treatment for chronic aphasia. Aphasiology, 1-35.

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Nguy, B., Quique, Y.M., Cavanaugh, R., Evans, William S. (2022) Representation in aphasia research: an examination of US treatment studies published between 2009 and 2019. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

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Cavanaugh R, Quique YM, Dickey MW, Hula WD, Boss E, & Evans WS (2022). Practice-Related Predictors of Semantic Feature Verification Treatment for Aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-21-00296

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Cavanaugh, R., Kravetz C., Jarold L., Quique Y., Turner R., & Evans, W.S. (2021). Is There a Research–Practice Dosage Gap in Aphasia Rehabilitation? American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 30(5), 2115–2129. 10.1044/2021_AJSLP-20-00257.

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2021

Evans W.S., Cavanaugh R., Quique Y, Boss E, Starns J.J., & Hula W.D. (2021). Playing With BEARS: Balancing Effort, Accuracy, and Response Speed in a Semantic Feature Verification Anomia Treatment Game. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-20-00543

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Kersey, J., Evans, W. S., Mullen, K., Askren, A., Cavanaugh, R., Wallace, S. E., Hula, W. D., Walsh Dickey, M., Terhorst, L., & Skidmore, E. (2021). Metacognitive Strategy Training Is Feasible for People With Aphasia. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492211023196

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Evans, W. S., Cavanaugh, R., Gravier, M. L., Autenreith, A. S., Doyle, P. J., Hula, W. D., Dickey Michael, W., & Dickey, M. W. (2021). Effects of Semantic Feature Type, Diversity, and Quantity on Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment Outcomes in Aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00112

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Cavanaugh, R.B., Haley, K.L. (2020) Subjective communication difficulties in very mild aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(1S), 437–448. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-CAC48-18-0222

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2020

Publications Under Review & In Revision

Cavanaugh, R., Quique, Y.M., Swiderski, A.M., Kallhoff, L.,Terhorst, L., Wambaugh J., Hula, W.D., Evans, William S. (Under Review) Reproducibility in small-N treatment research in aphasia and related disorders: a tutorial. Preprint: https://osf.io/exyqp/

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Under Review

Refereed Presentations

Cavanaugh R., Swiderski, A., Hula, W.D., Fergadiotis, G., Steel, S., (2022) The PNT-CAT: A Computer Adaptive Test Version of the Philadelphia Naming Test. Poster presented at the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (June 2022).

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2022

Cavanaugh, R, Brancamp, T, Harmon, T, Wallace, S, Biel, M, Hambridge, T, Caputo, M, Evans, WS (2022). Measuring Post-traumatic Growth in People with Aphasia. Abstract for poster presentation, annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference (May 2022). Wrightsville Beach, NC

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Brancamp, T, Cavanaugh, R, Harmon, T, Wallace, S, Biel, M, Hambridge, T, Caputo, M, Evans, WS (2022). Individual-level predictors of post-traumatic growth and depreciation in aphasia. Abstract for platform presentation, annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference (May 2022). Wrightsville Beach, NC

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Goldberg, E, Dickey, M.W., Hula, W.D., Cavanaugh, R. Swiderski, A., Autenreith, Alyssa. (2022). Cognitive functions supporting learning over time in naming treatment for aphasia. Abstract for platform presentation, annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference (May 2022). Wrightsville Beach, NC

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Schliep, M., Cavanaugh, R., , Tierney-Hendricks, C., Schnek, S., Douglas, N., (2022). Leveraging Implementation Science to Advance the Reach of Aphasia Best Practices. Abstract for roundtable presentation, annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference (May 2022). Wrightsville Beach, NC

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Evans, WS, Kelly, A, Meyer, E, Skidmore, E, Pompon, R, Flowers, R, Cavanaugh, R (2022). Adapting acceptance and commitment therapy for stroke survivors with aphasia. Abstract for platform presentation, annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference (May 2022). Wrightsville Beach, NC.

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Steel, S., Cavanaugh R., Fergadiotis, G., Hula, W.D., (2022) Bridging the gap: Measuring perceived barriers and facilitators of a novel anomia assessment tool. Lightning talk, Implementation Science is for All: A CSD Practice-Research Exchange (April 2022). Online

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Evans, W.S., Quique, Y.M., Cavanaugh, R, Lescht, E. (2021). Effects of adaptive distributed practice and stimuli variability in flashcard-based anomia treatment. Abstract for poster presentation, 59th Academy of Aphasia, Online

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2021

Cavanaugh, R. Quique, Y, Boss, E, Hula, W.D., and Evans, W.S. (2021). Practicing with BEARS: Active Ingredients in Semantic Feature Analysis. Abstract for poster presentation, 51st annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Online

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Evans, W.S., Cavanaugh, R., Quique, Y., Boss,E., Dickey, M.W., Doyle , P, Starns,J.J.,and Hula, W.D., (2021). BEARS-Balancing Effort, Accuracy, and Response Speed in semantic feature verification anomia treatment. Abstract for platform presentation, 50th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Online..

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Quique,Y., Cavanaugh, R., Starns, J.J., Boss, E., Hula, W.D., and Evans, W.S. (2021). Estimating the speed-accuracy tradeoff “Sweet Spot” in language performance for people with aphasia: replication and extension of a diffusion-model based approach. Abstract for poster presentation, 50th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Online.

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Boyle M, Akers C, Cavanaugh R., Hula WD, Swiderski A, Elman R. (2021) Changes in informativeness following communication-based group treatment for chronic aphasia
. Abstract for platform presentation, 50th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Online.

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Akers, C, Boyle M, Swiderski A, Hula WD, Cavanaugh R., Elman R. (2021) Using complete utterances to measure change in conversational discourse following communication- based group treatment. Abstract for poster presentation, 51st annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Online

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Cavanaugh, R., Kravetz, C., Jarold, L., Quique, Y., Turner, R., Evans, W.S. (2021). Is there a research-practice dosage gap in aphasia rehabilitation? Abstract for poster presentation, Aphasia Access Leadership Summit, online.

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Nguy, B, Cavanaugh, R., Quique, Y, Evans, WS. (2021). Are Aphasia Research Participants Representative of the Post-Stroke Aphasia Population in the US? Abstract for poster presentation, Aphasia Access Leadership Summit. Online conference.

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Cavanaugh, R., Kravetz, C., Jarold, L., Quique, Y., Turner, R., Evans, W.S. (2020). Is there a research-practice dosage gap in aphasia rehabilitation? Abstract for poster presentation, 16th Annual Rehabilitation Institute Research Day. Pittsburgh, PA

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2020

Cavanaugh, R., Terhorst, L., Swiderski, A.W., Hula, W.D., Evans, W.S. (2020). A Systematic Appraisal of Individual Effect Sizes in Aphasia Single-Case Designs via Simulation. Abstract for poster presentation, 58th Academy of Aphasia, Philadelpha PA.

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Evans, WS, Cavanaugh, R., Quique, Y, Boss, E, Dickey, MW, Doyle, P, Starns, J, and Hula, W (2020). BEARS- Balancing Effort, Accuracy, and Response Speed in semantic feature verification anomia treatment. Abstract for platform presentation, annual Academy of Aphasia Conference (virtual online conference).

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Cavanaugh, R., Kravetz, C., Evans, W.S. Utilization and Disparities in Outpatient Aphasia Rehabilitation in Western Pennsylvania. Abstract for poster presentation, Pennsylvania Speech-Language Hearing Association Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA (Conference Canceled).

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Cavanaugh, R., Evans, W.S., Gravier, M., Autenreith, A., Ashmore, E., Doyle, P., Hula, W., Dickey, M.W., (2019). Do the kinds of features that patients generate during Semantic Feature Analysis affect treatment outcomes? Poster presented at the 2019 Clinical Aphasiology Conference in Whitefish, MT.

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2019

Cavanaugh, R.B., Haley, K.L. (2018) Subjective communication difficulties in very mild aphasia. Abstract for poster presentation, 48th annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Austin, TX.

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2018

Cavanaugh, R.B., & Haley, K. (2014, April) Accounting for Aphasia-Related Language Deficits in Verbal Working Memory Assessments: A Literature Review. Poster presented at the 2014 SPHS Student Research Day in Chapel Hill, NC.

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2014

Software & Technology

Cavanaugh, R., Swiderski, A.M., Hula, W.D. (2022). acom: The Aphasia Communication Outcome Measure. Version 0.4.0.2 Available from https://github.com/rbcavanaugh/acom.

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2022

Cavanaugh, R., Aphasia Research Finder. https://aphasiaresearch.org

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2022

Cavanaugh, R., Swiderski, A.M., Fergadiotis, G. & Hula, W.D. (2022). pnt: Computer adaptive forms of the Philadelphia Naming Test. Version 0.0.0.9 Available from https://github.com/aphasia-apps/pnt.

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2022

Kowalski, J., and Cavanaugh R. (2021). TBDBr: Easy Access To TalkBankDB via R API. https://github.com/TalkBank/TalkBankDB-R

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2021

Teaching

CSD M.S. Clinical Integration Project

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2022

  • Review and feedback for M.S. - SLP students 1st year projects

SPHS-S 685: Research and Ethics in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (University of Indiana Bloomington; Dr. Brielle Stark)

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2021

  • Guest Lecture: Writing an NIH NRSA F31 Fellowship Application

CSD M.S. Summative Assessment Project

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  • Review and feedback for M.S. - SLP students comprehensive exams

CSD 2230: Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders

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2020

  • Guest Lecture 1: TBI: Pathophysiology and Medical Considerations
  • Guest Lecture 2: Case studies in adult neurological communication disorders

SPHS 742: Aphasia (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Dr. Katarina Haley)

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  • Guest Lecture: Applying treatment research in clinical practice settings

CSD M.S. Summative Assessment Project

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  • Review and feedback for M.S. - SLP students comprehensive exams

CSD 2230: Neurogenic Language and Cognitive Communication Disorders

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2019

  • Guest Lecture 1: TBI: Pathophysiology and Medical Considerations
  • Guest Lecture 2: Case studies in adult neurological communication disorders

CSD M.S. Summative Assessment Project

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N/A

  • Review and feedback for SLP students comprehensive exams

Professional Memberships

Member, Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists: Effectiveness of Aphasia Interventions, Implementation Science

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2021 —

Member, Aphasia Access

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2020 —

Member, Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences

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2020 —

CCC-SLP: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)

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2016 —

SLP: Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology, North Carolina

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2015 —

Member, ASHA SIG 2: Neurogenic Communication Disorders

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2015 —

Service

Ad hoc reviewer. Journal of Speech Language Hearing Research

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2022 —

Ad hoc reviewer. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.

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2022 —

Ad hoc reviewer, ASHA Annual Convention: Adult Language Section

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2020 — 2021

Media

“Voltage Drop and Aphasia Treatment: Thinking About the Research-Practice Dosage Gap in Aphasia Rehabilitation: A Conversation with Rob Cavanaugh” Aphasia Access Conversations podcast, episode #77, October 28, 2021.

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2021