Student Spotlight: Michael Scimeca
Congratulations, Dr. Michael Scimeca!
Michael Scimeca
Dr. Scimeca successfully defended his dissertation on January 7th, 2026, completing his PhD at Boston University’s Sargent College in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences. Throughout his doctoral studies, Scimeca was mentored by Dr. Swathi Kiran, director of the Boston University Center for Brain Recovery.
Dr. Scimeca’s dissertation was titled “Multimodal Assessment of Alexia in Bilinguals with Aphasia”.
Q&A with Michael Scimeca
How did you initially become involved and/or interested in your field?
I took a circuitous route to get to speech-language pathology. In undergrad, I was a biomedical sciences and Spanish double major at the University of Central Florida. When I graduated, I wanted to pursue a course of study that combined aspects of neuroscience and language learning and so I enrolled in an M.A. program in Linguistics at the University of Virginia. I thoroughly enjoyed the theoretical aspects of linguistics, especially neuro/psycholinguistics but at the same time, I felt that aspects of the field were too ‘sterile.’ The work I was doing at the time lacked human interaction. At UVA, I took an elective course in adult neurogenic communication disorders (which contains aphasia) and this was my first true introduction to adult clinical intervention and aphasia rehabilitation. I was instantly hooked because I realized work in aphasia would allow me to pursue my academic interests in neuroscience and language while providing me with opportunities for interaction. I applied to BU that same year, as I was graduating from UVA, and have worked with Swathi ever since!
How do those interests align with your work and research at the Center for Brain Recovery?
My research interests have found broad support at the Center for Brain Recovery. Naturally, much of the work we do is for the benefit of adults with acquired brain injuries. My focus on clinical rehabilitation for adults with aphasia is well supported by the experimental and treatment studies we have directed/are currently directing.
What brought you to Boston University?
Initially, I found out about the bilingual aphasia rehabilitation work that was being conducted at BU through a friend. She and I had met in undergrad and after graduating, she had enrolled in the MS-SLP program at BU. One of her clinical placements was in the ICCR program in the Center for Brain Recovery (formerly the Aphasia Research Lab) and therefore, she was familiar by association with Swathi’s bilingual aphasia work. She suggested I explore opportunities in the lab and reach out to Swathi to see if she was accepting PhD students. At the time, we were beginning recruitment for our large clinical trial in bilingual aphasia (PROCoM)—so the timing was perfect!
What research are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the acquired reading disorders research I completed for my dissertation. I conceptualized and directed the project with generous feedback and help from CBR faculty including Swathi and Maria Varkanitsa. The project started based on interest I had observed from individuals with aphasia over the years—namely, they wanted to know more about their difficulties reading after brain injury, especially if they were bilingual. I’m proud that we put together a project that was able to answer some of their questions and move the field of bilingual aphasia rehabilitation forward. Additionally, two undergraduate students have written (and were awarded) UROP projects to pursue subsidiary analyses as part of my dissertation work.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their PhD, what would it be?
Check in with your mentors often and be clear about your goals. I was able to take advantage of so many wonderful opportunities at BU thanks to the support of my CBR mentors. I was awarded an NIH F31 grant, received several scholarships and fellowships, and completed my clinical fellowship in speech-language pathology on the road to completing my dissertation. None of these would have been possible without the support of my exceptional mentors.
What is next for you after completing your PhD?
In the first half of 2026, I will continue to collect some data in line with my dissertation work. I will also be teaching a course at BU in the M.S.-SLP program on Bilingual Considerations for Assessment and Intervention. In the latter half of 2026, I hope to be starting a tenure-track assistant professor position at an R1 institution.
What is something unique about you that people might not know?
I am an avid reader. In 2025, I read 43 books. This year, my goal is to read at least 100. I visit the Boston Public Library at least once a week and my library card is one of my prized possessions.
Is there any additional information you would like to share with the CBR community?
Several of our research studies in bilingual aphasia are still recruiting. If you know of anyone, please refer them our way!
Learn More about Michael Scimeca