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 4/8/2026

    Vojtech J, Mittelman TS, Smith KM, Abur D, Stepp CE. Aerodynamic and Acoustic Characteristics of Nasal Airflow in Parkinson's Disease. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2026 May 07; 69(5):1993-2006. PMID: 41949409.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/20/2026

    Houle N, Díaz Cádiz ME, Stepp CE. Examining the Effect of Volitionally Altering Fundamental Frequency on Measures Associated With Vocal Hyperfunction. J Voice. 2026 Mar 20. PMID: 41864809.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/23/2026

    Duque T, Vojtech J, Marks KL, Toles LE, Sauder C, Eadie TL, Stepp CE. Speech Intelligibility in Speakers With Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2026 Apr 10; 69(4):1568-1575. PMID: 41730129.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 2/12/2026

    Aaron AS, Frankford SA, Siedman KA, Maas E, Guenther FH, Stepp CE. Practice Parameters That Influence Vocal Motor Adaptation in Altered Auditory Feedback Paradigms. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2026 Mar 12; 69(3):846-859. PMID: 41678665.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 12/22/2025

    Dragicevic DA, Sauder CE, Buckley DP, Toles LE, Tracy LF, Noordzij JP, Grillone GA, Mau T, Giliberto JP, Meyer TK, Merati AL, Eadie TL, Stepp CE, Marks KL. Automated Creak Identifies Laryngeal Dystonia During Conversational Speech. Laryngoscope. 2026 May; 136(5):2270-2277. PMID: 41424130.

    Read at: PubMed

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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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