Director, Aerodigestive Research Core
Affiliated Research Labs
Aerodigestive Research Core
Biography
Dr. Emily Plowman is an internationally recognized expert in the field of dysphagia (swallowing disorders) who has held uninterrupted funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since commencing her academic career in 2009. Her current research at is supported by the National Institute of Aging (R01 AG077481-09), National Institute of Nursing Research (R01 NR020175-01A1), National Institute of Cancer (1R01 CA271223), Department of Defense (DOD HT9425-23-1-0065), and the ALS Association (clinical management award).
Dr. Plowman has authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, given over 600 lectures worldwide, and obtained over 30 external research grants. In addition to her own research, Dr. Plowman is passionate about mentoring the future generation of clinician scientists with her mentorship efforts recognized by the National Institutes of Health Story Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship by a Neuroscientist (2022) and the University of Florida Doctoral Mentor of the Year award (2021). She was inducted as a Fellow into the American Speech and Hearing Association in 2022 and was elected as the President of the Dysphagia Research Society for 2025 - 2026.
Research Interests
- Mechanisms of normal and disordered swallowing and upper aerodigestive tract functions.
- Development of dysphagia risk prediction instruments to guide evidence-based triaged clinical care pathways.
- Validation of non-invasive clinical screening tools to enable early and accurate detection of dysphagia.
- Development of proactive, mechanistically grounded interventions to maintain and/or improve vital upper airway functions of breathing, airway clearance/defense and deglutition.
Education
Bachelor of Science (Speech & Hearing) (First Class Honors)
Curtin University, Western Australia
Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Florida
Clinical Fellowship
Shands Rehabilitation Hospital
NIDCD F32 Ruth Kirschstein National Service Award Individual Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute
Contact Information
Email: Emily.Plowman@osumc.edu Phone: 614-366-2026Research Projects
In collaboration with Drs. Kate Hutcheson (MD Anderson) and Nicole Rogus Pulia (University of Wisconsin Madison) we undertook a five-year dissemination and implementation (D&I) clinical trial in 2023 that seeks to scale up the recently validated Dynamic Imaging Grade of Swallowing Toxicity (DIGEST) instrument via completion of the following specific aims:
- Demonstrate validity of DIGEST in diverse oncology populations and imaging acquisition protocols
- Examine context and fidelity of natural dissemination of DIGEST in real-world early adopters
- Evaluate active implementation strategies to improve reach and fidelity of DIGEST in clinical practice.
This work is funded by the National Cancer institute (1R01 CA271223).
Dysphagia (swallowing impairment) is a common complication of cardiac surgical procedures leading to dehydration, reintubation, aspiration pneumonia, increased health care utilization, cost of care and length of hospitalization. Although preventable, dysphagia-related aspiration pneumonia is a major cause of 90-day mortality.
In this study we target current knowledge gaps that thwart clinical care models as we seek to identify: 1) Independent contributing risk factors for the development of dysphagia following cardiac surgery, 2) Sensitive clinical bedside biomarkers of swallowing impairment, and 3) Governing physiologic mechanisms of dysphagia during the postoperative recovery period. Information collected will be used to produce two pragmatic clinical tools that include:
- An open-access electronic dysphagia risk prediction calculator to enable accurate forecasting and facilitate personalized and evidenced-based triaged care pathways.
- A validated bedside dysphagia screening tool to enable accurate and early detection of dysphagia in the cardiac intensive care unit.
This clinical trial is funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (R01 NR020175-01A1).
Dysphagia (swallowing impairment) is a serious health condition seen in many age-related diseases. Although videofluoroscopy is an international “gold standard” dysphagia diagnostic exam, normative physiologic healthy reference values across the age span do not exist to guide diagnostic interpretation. In our previous R01 (DC011020), we developed a rigorous method for measuring swallowing physiology: the Analysis of Swallowing Physiology: Events, Kinematics and Timing (ASPEKT Method). In the current R01 renewal, we will:
- Collect healthy reference values of swallowing for the ASPEKT outcome across the adult life span
- Demonstrate scalability of the ASPEKT Method across commonly used variations in clinical videofluoroscopy testing protocols
- Profile swallowing pathophysiology in clinical populations to identify clinical decision points that can be used for diagnosis and outcome measurement.
Our vision is that the ASPEKT Method will enable clinicians to compare patient measures to healthy reference values, facilitating quantification and evidence-based interpretation of the presence, nature and severity of swallowing impairment. Ultimately, we seek to generate data that will shift subjective dysphagia diagnostic practices toward a quantitative and evidence-based diagnostic framework to improve resource utilization, treatment planning, and patient outcomes.
This clinical trial is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Catriona Steele (University Health Network, Toronto) and Ashwini MacDonald (MacMasters University) and is supported by the National Institute of Aging (9R01 AG077481-09).
The objective of this proposal is to complete a small-scale human Phase II clinical trial (NCT04220021) to assess the safety and potential efficacy of metformin for the treatment of C9 ALS, identify relevant biomarkers, and prepare for a large multi-site placebo-controlled follow-up trial.
The specific aims of this study are to: (1) assess the safety of metformin for the treatment of C9 ALS; (2) test the hypothesis that metformin will reduce RAN protein levels in patient biofluids: (3) identify molecular and imaging biomarkers that may aid in future clinical trial design, patient selection, efficiency, and interpretation; and (4) prepare if the current trial is successful, for a large-scale placebo-controlled follow-up Phase III clinical trial.
This Phase II clinical trial is supported by the Department of Defense (HT9425-23-1-0065)
Research Accomplishments
Grant: National Institute of Aging, R01 AG077481-09
Role: Principal Investigator (MPI: Plowman & Steele)
Dates: 1/8/2022 – 7/30/2027
Mechanisms, Predictors and Clinical Markers of Dysphagia in Cardiac Surgical Patients
Grant: National Institute of Nursing Research, R01 NR019183-01A1
Role: Principal Investigator (MPI: Plowman & Jeng)
Dates: 4/1/2022 – 3/31/2027
Dissemination and Implementation of DIGEST as an Evidence-based measurement tool in Cance.
Grant: National Institute of Cancer, 1R01 CA271223-01A1
Role: Co-Investigator (PI: K. Hutcheson)
Dates: 2/15/2023 - 1/30/2028
Metformin: Effects on RAN Proteins, Breathing, Imaging, and Metabolomic Outcomes
Grant: Department of Defense Clinical Trial Grant #13687585
Role: Co-Investigator (PI: L. Ranum)
Dates: 9/1/2023 – 8/30/2025
Donohue, C., Wiele, L., Terry, A., Martin, T., Vasilopolous, T., Jeng, E., Plowman, E.K. Preoperative respiratory strength training is feasible and safe and improves pulmonary physiologic capacity in individuals undergoing cardiovascular surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. Open. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xjon.2023.07.005
Dallal York J, Leonard K, Anderson A, DiBiase L, Jeng EI, Plowman EK. Discriminant Ability of the 3-Ounce Water Swallow Test to Detect Aspiration in Acute Postoperative Cardiac Surgical Patients. Dysphagia. 2021 Jul 15. doi: 10.1007/s00455-021-10333-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34268585.
Plowman, E. K., Chheda, N., Anderson, A., Dallal York, J., DiBiase, L., Vasilopoulos, T., Arnaoutakis, G., Beaver, T., Martin, T., BatJeng, E. (2020). Vocal Fold Mobility Impairment Following Cardiovascular Surgery: Incidence, Risk Factors and Sequela. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, S0003-4975(20)31696-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.07.074. PMID: 33075318.
Dallal-York J, Segalewitz T, Croft K, Vasilopoulos T, Pelaez A, Pipkin M, Machuca TN, Plowman EK. Incidence, risk factors, and sequelae of dysphagia mediated aspiration following lung transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2022 Aug;41(8):1095-1103. Epub 2022 May 26. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.05.001. PMID: 35662492.
Dallal-York J, Croft K, Anderson A, DiBiase L, Donohue C, Vasilopoulos T, Shahmohammadi A, Pelaez A, Pipkin M, Hegland KW, Machuca TN, Plowman EK. A prospective examination of swallow and cough dysfunction after lung transplantation. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2023 Apr;35(4):e14458. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14458. Epub 2022 Sep 27. PMID: 36168190.
Plowman EK, Gray LT, Chapin J, Anderson A, Vasilopoulos T, Gooch C, Vu T, Wymer JP. Respiratory Strength Training in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter, Sham-Controlled Trial. Neurology. 2023 Feb 20:10.1212/WNL.0000000000206830. doi: 10.1212/WNL. 0000000000206830. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36805435.
Tabor Gray L, Locatelli E, Vasilopoulos T, Wymer J, Plowman EK. Dextromethorphan/quinidine for the treatment of bulbar impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2023 Jun 2. doi: 10.1002/acn3.51821. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37265174.
Tabor Gray L, McElheny KL, Vasilopoulos T, Wymer J, Smith BK, Plowman EK. Predictors of Peak Expiratory Cough Flow in Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Dysphagia. 2023 Apr;38(2):719-725. doi: 10.1007/s00455-022-10503-8. Epub 2022 Aug 5. PMID: 35931882.
Tabor-Gray, L., Vasilopoulos, T., Wheeler-Hegland, K., Wymer, J., & Plowman, E. K. (2020). Reflexive Airway Sensorimotor Responses in Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Dysphagia, 10.1007/s00455-020-10171-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-020-10171-6.
Link to all publications
Additional Information
Professor, 2023 - Present
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
2024 1st Place Poster Presentation, 32nd Dysphagia Research Society Virtual Meeting (senior author)
2023 Elected Secretary-Treasurer, Dysphagia Research Society
2023 3rd Place Poster Presentation, 31st Dysphagia Research Society Virtual Meeting (senior author)
2022 Fellow, American Speech and Hearing Association
2022 2nd Place Poster Presentation, 30th Dysphagia Research Society Virtual Meeting (senior author)
2021 National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke Story Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship
2021 Doctoral Mentor of the Year, College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida
2021 Superior Faculty Accomplishment Award, University of Florida
2021 1st Place Poster Presentation, 29th Dysphagia Research Society Virtual Meeting (senior author)
2020 Deans Citation Award, College of Public Health & Health Professions, University of Florida
2020 1st Place Platform Presentation, 10th European Society of Swallowing Disorders Meeting (first author)
2020 1st Place Poster Presentation, 28th Dysphagia Research Society Virtual Meeting (senior author)
2020 Steven Leder Award, 28th Dysphagia Research Society Virtual Meeting (senior author)
2020 Research Finalist for Best Scientific Presentation, Society Thoracic Surgeons Meeting (first author)
2019 Finalist, International Symposium on ALS/MND Research Award, WA, Australia (senior author)
2019 Top Downloaded 2018-2019 Article, Muscle and Nerve (first author)
2019 1st Place Scientific Platform Presentation, 27th Dysphagia Research Society Meeting (first author)
2018 1st Place Poster Presentation, 26th Dysphagia Research Society Meeting (senior author)
2017 Deans Citation Award, University of Florida (first author)
2015 Finalist, International Symposium on ALS/MND Research Award, Brussels, Belgium (first author)
2014 1st Place Scientific Presentation, 22nd Dysphagia Research Society Meeting (senior author)
2013 1st Place Scientific Presentation, 3rd Cutting Edge Laryngology Meeting, London, U.K
2013 American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders Research Award
2013 2nd Place Scientific Platform Presentation, 21st Dysphagia Research Society Meeting (first author)
2012 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Lessons for Success Alumni invited speaker
2012 Faculty Poster Award, 20th Dysphagia Research Society Meeting (first author)
2012 2nd Place Poster Award, 20th Dysphagia Research Society, Toronto, Canada (first author)
2012 Keynote Presenter, 5th Annual Norwegian Laryngology Conference, Hemsedal, Norway
2011 Keynote Presenter, Sydney Dysphagia & Oesophagology Course, Sydney, Australia
2010 Junior Keynote presenter NIDCD Symposium: Neuroplasticity in the mature brain, Washington, DC
2010 1st Place Scientific Presentation, NIDCD Integrative Neural Systems Symposium (first author)
2010 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 8th Annual Lessons for Success Recipient
2010 2nd Place Scientific Presentation, 18th Dysphagia Research Society Meeting (first author)
2009 McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurology, Research Fellow of the Year
2009 Movement Disorders Society New Investigator Travel Grant
2009 Florida Society of Neurology Fellow Research Award
2008 1st Place Poster, 3rd Neuromuscular Plasticity Symposium (first author)
2005 Kenneth G. Bzoch Speech-Language-Hearing Research Award
2003 International Academic Scholar of the Year Award, University of Florida
2002 University of Florida Scholars Award for 4.0 GPA by Doctoral Student.
2001 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Division 13 New Investigator Grant
2001 Best Scientific Paper by New Investigator, Dysphagia Research Society Meeting, Albuquerque, NM
2000 Awarded Curtin Speech & Hearing Outstanding Research Thesis Award
2000 Awarded First Class Honors for Research Thesis
2000 Letter of Academic Commendation, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
1999 Golden Key National Honor Society
1999 Rotary Citizenship Award
1999 President - Student Speech Pathology Association