Rahul Krishnamurthy, Ph.D.

Photo: Rahul Krishnamurthy

Assistant Professor

Email: 
rkrishnamurthy@unm.edu
Office: 
Speech and Hearing Sciences 7003
Interests: 
Upper aerodigestive functions, sensorimotor plasticity, precision rehabilitation

Curriculum vitae

Profile:

I am a speech-language pathologist with specialized training in neuroscience and neurostimulation techniques. I earned my foundational degrees in speech-language pathology from the University of Mysore and the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India. I later pursued advanced doctoral training in upper aerodigestive sensorimotor plasticity and rehabilitation neuroscience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, followed by postdoctoral training in neuromodulation and computational neuroscience at the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center.

My translational research focuses on how the central nervous system adapts to targeted exercises for speech, voice, and swallowing—key upper aerodigestive functions. I employ a multimodal approach that integrates behavioral assessments, physiological measurements, and neuroimaging techniques. Together, these efforts synergistically contribute to a deeper understanding of how targeted exercises and neurostimulation modulate sensorimotor plasticity in upper aerodigestive functions, paving the way for more precise and personalized rehabilitation approaches.

Recent/Selected Publications:

Krishnamurthy, R., Schultz, D. H., Wang, Y., Barlow, S. M., & Dietsch, A. M (2025). Expiratory
Musculature Targeted Resistance Training Modulates Swallowing Neural Regions: Preliminary fMRI
Evidence. Neural Plasticity (Accepted).

Krishnamurthy, R., Cloud, C., Westemeyer, R. et al. White Matter Microstructural Correlates of
Swallowing Biomechanics: An Exploratory Pilot Study in Healthy Young Adults. Dysphagia (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-025-10841-3

Krishnamurthy, R., Schultz, D. H., Wang, Y., Natarajan, S. K., Barlow, S. M., & Dietsch, A. M (2025).
Multimodal Adaptations to Expiratory Musculature Targeted Resistance Training: A Preliminary Study
in Healthy Young Adults. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.
https://doi.org/10.1044/2024_JSLHR-24-00294

Krishnamurthy, R., Krishnamoorthy, C., Dietsch, A. M., & Natarajan, S. K. (2025). Molecular
biomarkers of dysphagia targeted exercise-induced neuroplasticity: A review of mechanistic
processes and preliminary data on detraining effects. Brain Research, 1846, 149287.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149287

*Jose, M., Krishnamurthy, R., Venkatesh, L., Kamath, N., Bhat, K. G., & Balasubramanium, R. K.
(2024). Assessment and management of dysphagia in the neonatal intensive care units in India: A
survey report. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 29, 101683.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2024.101683

*Aseef A, Dodderi T, Muthukumar V, Krishnamurthy R, Balasubramanium RK, Kothari M (2024). Test
of mastication and swallowing solids in healthy individuals aged 6 to 20 years: A normative study in
an Indian context. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13741

Dietsch, A. M., Krishnamurthy, R., Young, K., & Barlow, S. M. (2024). Instrumental Assessment of
Aero-Resistive Expiratory Muscle Strength Rehabilitation Devices. Journal of Speech, Language, and
Hearing Research, 67(3). https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00381