SHACS: Kelly C. Harris, PhD - Inhibition, Insulation, and Speech: the Role of GABA and Myelin in Auditory Plasticity
As the aging population grows, differences in speech perception among older adults cannot be explained by peripheral hearing loss alone. Central auditory changes play a critical role and may represent potential therapeutic targets. Integrating electrophysiologic, neuroimaging, and behavioral findings, I will discuss plasticity in the auditory system that emerges with aging and is modulated by peripheral deficits. Emphasis is placed on two key regulators of plasticity: inhibitory neurotransmission (GABA) and white matter microstructure (myelin). Age-related changes in GABA and myelin are shown to influence cortical timing, network integration, and cross-modal reorganization, with direct consequences for speech perception. Together, these findings highlight central neurochemical and structural factors that contribute to variability in auditory performance with age and underscore the importance of brain-based mechanisms in supporting speech perception in older listeners.
Kelly Harris is a Professor in the…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Eagleson Hall (EGL). Campus room: Room 211. Accessibility Contact: lfoy@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Faculty, students, researchers, lab members.
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
Auditory Wellness Workshop
The event features: A brief 10-15 minute presentation by Dr. Yi Shen.
, Small group activities, such as hearing screenings, OTC hearing‑aid demos, discussion of lifestyle adjustments when living with vertigo, and patient advocacy.
, Conversations about UW research and clinical programs including (a) brief, accessible overviews of research tools, methods and scientific insights, (b) relevance of research to hearing and balance health and communication, and (c) the importance of clinical training programs.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: shenyi@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions. Workshops.
Friday, March 6, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Redmond Senior & Community Center
8703 160th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052.
Certificate in Speech, Language & Hearing Foundations Information Session
Join us to learn more about the Certificate in Speech, Language & Hearing Foundations at the University of Washington. RSVP required here.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Zoom. Accessibility Contact: sphsc-certificates@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
SHACS: Z. Yan Wang, PhD - Death and the octopus
Assistant Professor of Psychology and of Biology at University of Washington
The 2025-2026 SHACS lectures will all be held in person, and are free and open to the public.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Eagleson Hall (EGL). Campus room: Room 211. Accessibility Contact: lfoy@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Faculty, students, researchers, lab members.
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
Auditory Wellness Workshop
The event features: A brief 10-15 minute presentation by Dr. Yi Shen.
, Small group activities, such as hearing screenings, OTC hearing‑aid demos, discussion of lifestyle adjustments when living with vertigo, and patient advocacy.
, Conversations about UW research and clinical programs including (a) brief, accessible overviews of research tools, methods and scientific insights, (b) relevance of research to hearing and balance health and communication, and (c) the importance of clinical training programs.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: shenyi@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions. Workshops.
Friday, March 13, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Franke Tobey Jones Senior Living Community
5340 N Bristol St
Tacoma, WA 98407.
GSEE's Prospective Student Days: Virtual Student Panel (admitted or wait listed students only)
GSEE invites admitted prospective students from historically underrepresented communities to our annual prospective student days!
Each year, the Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE) hosts Prospective Student Days (PSDs) for University of Washington admitted prospective graduate students from historically underrepresented communities.
GSEE will be hosting a live Q&A via Zoom that will highlight current graduate students who will share their experiences and answer any questions you may have about being a graduate student at the UW. Please register to join us!
RSVP at: TBA.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: shgradv@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM.
Virtual Admitted Student Information Session for MS SLP Programs (admitted or wait listed students only)
Join us for a virtual admitted student information session for the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology programs (EdSLP, MedSLP, CoreSLP) on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (PT). This session is intended for students admitted or wait listed to a SLP program.
Schedule: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM – Program Overview & Faculty/Staff Q&A, 12:30 PM-1:30 PM – Breakout Session with Current Students
Registration is required.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: shgradv@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
For more info visit washington.zoom.us. SHACS: Thanos Tzounopoulos, PhD - Brain Mechanisms that Highlight Treatment Development for Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and Hyperacusis
Professor of Otolaryngology-HNS at University of Pittsburgh
The 2025-2026 SHACS lectures will all be held in person, and are free and open to the public.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Magnuson Health Sciences Center G (HSG). Campus room: Room G328. Accessibility Contact: lfoy@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Faculty, students, researchers, lab members.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
In-Person Admitted Student Information Session for MS SLP Programs (admitted or wait listed students only)
Join us for an in-person admitted student information session for the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology programs (EdSLP, MedSLP, CoreSLP) on Friday, April 3, 2026 from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm in Eagleson Hall. This session is intended for students admitted or wait listed to a SLP program.
Schedule: 9:30 AM-10:20 PM – Program Overview & Faculty/Staff Q&A
10:30 AM-11:20 AM – Sample SPHSC Course (limited to prospective students only)
11:30 AM-12:20 PM – Clinic Tour with Current Students*
12:30 PM-1:20 PM – Lunch on Own or Attend GSEE Reception
1:30 PM-2:20 PM – Student Panel with Current Students
*Visitors will need to sign a patient privacy agreement on the day of in order to tour the clinic. All individuals must also wear a face covering in this clinical facility.
Registration is required.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Eagleson Hall (EGL). Accessibility Contact: shgradv@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Friday, April 3, 2026, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM.
GSEE's Prospective Student Days: In-Person Reception (admitted or wait listed students only)
GSEE invites admitted prospective students from historically underrepresented communities to our annual prospective student days!
Each year, the Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence (GSEE), hosts Prospective Student Days (PSDs) for University of Washington admitted prospective graduate students from historically underrepresented communities.
GSEE will be hosting an in-person reception where admitted prospective students will have an opportunity to drop in and chat with current graduate students and staff in an unstructured space - refreshments will be provided.
RSVP at: TBA.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Allen Library (ALB). Campus room: Petersen Room (4th Floor). Accessibility Contact: shgradv@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Friday, April 3, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Virtual Admitted Student Information Session for MS SLP Programs (admitted or wait listed students only)
Join us for a virtual admitted student information session for the Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology programs (EdSLP, MedSLP, CoreSLP) on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 2 pm – 4 pm (PT). This session is intended for students admitted or wait listed to a SLP program.
Schedule: 2 PM-2:50 PM – Program Overview & Faculty/Staff Q&A, 3 PM-3:50 PM – Breakout Session with Current Students
Registration is required.
Event interval: Single day event. Accessibility Contact: shgradv@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
For more info visit washington.zoom.us. SHACS: Tanya Eadie, PhD, CCC-SLP - Reducing the Noise: Optimizing Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice Disorders
Professor of Speech & Hearing Sciences at University of Washington
The 2025-2026 SHACS lectures will all be held in person, and are free and open to the public.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Eagleson Hall (EGL). Campus room: Room 211. Accessibility Contact: lfoy@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Faculty, students, researchers, lab members.
Thursday, April 9, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
SHACS: Nikolai Dembrow, PhD - Cell-type-specific differences in excitatory neurons across auditory, associative, and motor cortices in non-human primates
Associate Professor of Neurobiology & Biophysics at University of Washington
The 2025-2026 SHACS lectures will all be held in person, and are free and open to the public.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Magnuson Health Sciences Center G (HSG). Campus room: Room G328. Accessibility Contact: lfoy@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Faculty, students, researchers, lab members.
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
Certificate in Speech, Language & Hearing Foundations Information Session
Join us to learn more about the Certificate in Speech, Language & Hearing Foundations at the University of Washington. RSVP required.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus room: Zoom. Accessibility Contact: sphsc-certificates@uw.edu. Event Types: Information Sessions.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
SHACS: Mario A. Svirsky, PhD - Frequency-Place Maps in Postlingually Deaf Cochlear Implant Users: Hardwired or Plastic?
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at New York University
The 2025-2026 SHACS lectures will all be held in person, and are free and open to the public.
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Haring Center, EEU School (CHSC). Campus room: Room CD150. Accessibility Contact: lfoy@uw.edu. Event Types: Academics. Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Faculty, students, researchers, lab members.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM.