Masters Student Needs Support to Attend Dysphagia Research Society Event in Puerto Rico

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UKZN master’s degree student in Speech-Language Therapy, Ms Tasneem Fareed Karani is one of only eight successful applicants for entry to the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) annual conference under a Sponsor-A-Student Program 2020.

The programme allows members of the public, including the DRS Community, to donate to the Sponsor-A-Student Education Fund which helps students attend the annual meeting each year.

The next conference is in San Juan in Puerto Rico in March next year and Karani is asking for votes through donations to help her attend the meeting.

Karani’s Master’s degree study is titled: Crispy, Crunchy and Crackly: An Exploration of the Food Acoustic Properties on the Swallow Mechanism.

Her study, being supervised by Professor Mershen Pillay, is located in a larger, novel research project which is motivated by the need to deliver viable solutions to those at risk of swallowing-related aspiration pneumonia in vulnerable communities, such as South Africa. 

‘The outcomes of my study may contribute to the re-engineering of food sensory properties to improve swallowing for those suffering from disorders. Such foods will be immensely useful where there are reduced or no swallowing rehabilitation services,’ said Tasneem.

‘It’s been a dream of mine to attend this prestigious dysphagia conference and to initiate conversations with professionals from all across the world who are also passionate about sharing information on swallowing disorders,’ said Karani. ‘The success of my application depends partly on the number of votes I receive from friends, family and colleagues, and the votes of the members of the DRS committee,’ she said. ‘Every person who donates US$5 (about R75) or more receives a “one use only” voting link. Support from the University community will assist in making it possible for me to attend the conference and represent UKZN and South Africa.’

Karani obtained her undergraduate degree cum laude in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Witwatersrand. She has won numerous accolades including the AB Clemons Research Award for the best student in both Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, a Golden Key Award for four consecutive years, and the Faculty Dean’s Medal Award.

Karani, who has presented her research both locally and internationally, completed her community service at Stanger Hospital in KwaDukuza in 2018 and this year was the flag-bearer for South Africa at the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) conference in Taipei, Taiwan.

Please click here to make your donation.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Supplied