Congratulations to Cerebral Palsy Alliance senior speech pathologist, Amanda Khamis, who has won the University of Sydney’s prestigious ‘3 Minute Thesis’ competition!
The 3 Minute Thesis is an international competition for higher degree research students, challenging PhD students to quickly share the importance of their thesis to an audience unfamiliar with the field of research – what they’re doing, why it matters, and what they hope to achieve.
After triumphing in the university’s School of Medicine and Health competition earlier this month, Amanda’s thesis went up against the best and brightest PhD students from seven other faculties last Friday night.
Amanda’s expertly-presented research, titled ‘I-EAT, you eat, but can we all eat? Feeding therapy for babies with cerebral palsy and dysphagia’, was judged as the outstanding thesis in a competitive field of research students from faculties including engineering, science, business and law.
More than 50% of people with cerebral palsy experience dysphagia, a condition which makes swallowing and chewing safely difficult. Amanda’s PhD research tests the best ways to help babies with CP and dysphagia to learn to eat and drink safely and efficiently.
The world-first Intensive Early Active Treatment therapy program harnesses the principle of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change and learn in the rapid development of early life. The evidence-based program has shown promising early results, with infants who were supported by I-EAT therapy achieving better eating and swallowing outcomes than in standard care.
Amanda’s research into better dysphagia treatment is incredibly important work that will have real, positive impacts for young people with cerebral palsy and their families
A speech pathologist at CPA since 2011, Amanda is also a recipient of a Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation grant to support her PhD research.
“Amanda’s research into better dysphagia treatment is incredibly important work that will have real, positive impacts for young people with cerebral palsy and their families – congratulations on this richly-deserved award,” said Rob White, CEO of Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
After being announced as the winner by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Joanne Wright, Amanda will now advance to the Asia-Pacific 3 Minute Thesis finals in October with the full support of the entire CPA team!
