Ms. Sofia Gandolfi | Developmental Neuroscience | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Sofia Gandolfi is an Italian Speech and Language Therapist specializing in the assessment and management of swallowing disorders, particularly in children with neurogenic and neuromuscular conditions such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She has gained extensive clinical experience at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta in Milan, where she performs swallowing screenings, clinical evaluations, and develops individualized rehabilitation plans involving therapy, compensatory strategies, and dietary recommendations in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams that include neurologists, ENT specialists, gastroenterologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists. Her work emphasizes evidence-based interventions to enhance swallowing safety, efficiency, and quality of life for patients. Sofia also has experience in assessing and treating children and adults with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, both in outpatient settings and home-based care. Beyond clinical practice, she has contributed to research on swallowing physiology, intervention efficacy, and quality improvement initiatives in dysphagia services. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Speech and Language Studies with a specialization in Dysphagia from Trinity College Dublin. Her academic contributions are reflected in 1 published document, 1 citation, and an h-index of 1, demonstrating her emerging engagement in research and her commitment to advancing clinical practices in speech and swallowing therapy.