Cara E. Stepp, PhD

Professor, Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College

Biography

Dr. Stepp is the director of the STEPP LAB for Sensorimotor Rehabilitation Engineering at Boston University. Her research uses engineering tools to rehabilitate disordered sensorimotor function of voice and speech. Her long-term research goal is to extend current and novel therapeutic advances to the speech system, improving current treatment alternatives.

Dr. Stepp specializes in voice and speech disorders, integrating speech science, computer science, and engineering to improve diagnosis and rehabilitation of communication-based challenges. She is a past NSF CAREER Award and PECASE recipient, with multiple active federal grants supporting her research, and is a past Peter Paul Career Development Professor. She has published 2 book chapters and more than 100 articles in science and health journals.

Publications

  • Published 9/10/2025

    Kapsner-Smith MR, Rosenzweig J, Wilcox H, Bhatt N, Giliberto JP, Max L, Eadie TL, Stepp CE. Volitional Control of Frequency and Intensity in Speakers With and Without Hyperfunctional Voice Disorders. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2025 Sep 10; 1-13. PMID: 40928935.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 8/19/2025

    Vojtech J, Toles LE, Buckley DP, Stepp CE. Capturing the Intraspeaker Heterogeneity of Vocal Hyperfunction Using Spatiotemporal Indices of Relative Fundamental Frequency. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2025 Sep 10; 68(9):4220-4235. PMID: 40829026.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/23/2025

    Buckley DP, Stepp CE, Vojtech J. Normative Thresholds for Acoustic Estimates of Relative Fundamental Frequency. J Voice. 2025 Jul 23. PMID: 40707271.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/17/2025

    Kapsner-Smith MR, Gill A, Muzila A, Polyakova T, Rubeski A, Kline J, Stepp CE, Vojtech J. Validation of a Python-Based Graphical User Interface for Calculation of Relative Fundamental Frequency. J Voice. 2025 Jul 17. PMID: 40681381.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/17/2025

    Frankford SA, Stepp CE. Acoustic Correlates of Timing Typicality in Speakers With Parkinson's Disease. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2025 Aug 12; 68(8):3861-3868. PMID: 40679375.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 160 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Professor, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Websites

Education

  • Harvard University, PhD
  • Harvard University, PhD
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, SM/ScM
  • Smith College, SB/ScB

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