Heidi Kletzien, MS

Graduate Student

Heidi Kletzien, MS, is a predoctoral fellow in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is doing a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and is a trainee on the NIH sponsored T32 Voice Research Training program. Heidi received her BA from the University of Wisconsin, and played on the women’s ice hockey team winning two NCAA Division 1 National Championships. After working as a Research Specialist in Dr. Connor’s laboratory, Heidi decided to complete a MS degree in Biomedical Engineering at UW, and is now pursuing her PhD in that field under the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Connor. Currently, her main research interest is underlying cellular mechanisms contributing to swallowing and voice disorders that occur with age and disease. Her research will elucidate putative processes contributing to musculoskeletal degeneration in the cranial sensorimotor system and will aid in the development of treatments that specifically target these cellular mechanisms and pathways.