David Zajac, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Phone: (919) 966-1362
Fax: (919) 966-6185
Email: david_zajac@dentistry.unc.edu
Personal Website: http://www.unc.edu/~dzajac

Education

• Ph.D. Univ of Pittsburgh, 1989
• M.A. Univ of Pittsburgh, 1982
• B.S. Univ of Pittsburgh, 1978

Personal Statement

David J. Zajac, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the Craniofacial Center, School of Dentistry and the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Zajac is both a clinical speech-language pathologist and a speech scientist. His research focus is on speech and respiratory aerodynamics in cleft palate. Dr. Zajac is the Principal Investigator of two NIH-sponsored grants and an Associate Editor for JSLHR. He has published over 30 research articles and/or book chapters.

Courses Taught

• SPHS 749 Craniofacial Anomalies
• DENT 486 Craniofacial Anomalies

Research/Clinical Interests

• Developmental Aspects of Speech Production
• Speech Aerodynamics and Acoustics
• Cleft Palate Speech
• Assessment of Cleft Palate Surgery

Recent Publications

Zajac, D., & Weissler, M. (2004). Air pressure responses to sudden vocal tract pressure bleeds during production of stop consonants: New evidence of aeromechanical regulation. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 47:784-801.

Gross, R., Steinhauer, K., Zajac, D., & Weissler, M. (2006). Direct measurement of subglottic air pressure while swallowing. The Laryngoscope, 116(5):753-761.

Bundy, E., & Zajac D.(in press). Estimation of transpalatal nasalance during production of voiced stop consonants by non-cleft speakers using an oral-nasal mask. Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal.

Zajac, D., Roberts, J., Hennon, E., Harris, A., Barnes, E., & Misenheimer, J. ( in press). Articulation rate and vowel space characteristics of young males with fragile X syndrome: Preliminary acoustic findings. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.