PhD - Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology
Harvard University
Kevin Sitek
(Starting Jan 2027) Assistant Professor - Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing
Research Interests: Neural systems underlying human communication, focusing on subcortical auditory pathways involved in speech processing, auditory learning, and auditory-motor interactions, using high-field (7T) MRI, structural and functional connectivity, and EEG.
Professional Preparation
BA - Linguistics, Cognitive Science
UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley
Research Areas
Dr. Kevin Sitek investigates the neural systems that support human communication, with a particular focus on the auditory system and speech processing.Dr. Sitek has a strong interest in subcortical auditory structures, which are understudied in humans due to their small sizes and locations deep within the brain. He uses ultra-high field MRI (7 Tesla and above), electroencephalography (EEG), and post mortem imaging to overcome these challenges and to bridge the gap between animal models and non-invasive human neuroscience.
Dr. Sitek's current research program has three primary aims:
- Characterize the role of human subcortical nuclei such as inferior colliculus in auditory learning and decision-making (funded by an NIH K01 Mentored Career Development Award)
- Assay fine-grained cortical and subcortical auditory contributions to speech–motor control (funded by an NIH Early Career Researcher R21 Award)
- Examine the neural systems underlying speech and hearing across the normal lifespan and in disordered populations
Appointments
Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas [2027–Present]
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing - School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
The University of Texas at Dallas [2027–Present]
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing - School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Research Assistant Professor
Northwestern University [2023–2026]
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders - School of Communication
Northwestern University [2023–2026]
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders - School of Communication
Research Scientist
University of Pittsburgh [2021–2023]
Department of Communication Science and Disorders - School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Pittsburgh [2021–2023]
Department of Communication Science and Disorders - School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Postdoctoral Associate
Baylor College of Medicine [2019–2021]
Department of Neuroscience
Baylor College of Medicine [2019–2021]
Department of Neuroscience
Additional Information
Biography
Dr. Sitek received his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Cognitive Science at UC Berkeley, where he contributed to research in the Phonology Laboratory. He then worked as a staff research assistant at the San Francisco VA Medical Center/UCSF in the Brain Imaging and EEG Laboratory.He received his PhD from the Harvard University Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, working at the MIT McGovern Institute for Brain Research. After a postdoctoral appointment at the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Neuroscience, he joined the University of Pittsburgh as a research scientist.
Immediately prior to joining UT Dallas, Dr. Sitek was a research assistant professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University.