Rose Centre for Stroke Research and Rehabilitation

Dist. Prof Maggie-Lee Huckabee practiced as a clinical speech language pathologist for 18 years before the frustration of never knowing ‘the answers’ led her to an academic career. She is the Founder of the University of Canterbury Rose Centre for Stroke Recovery and Research and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology, Speech and Hearing in Christchurch, New Zealand. She still hasn’t found ‘The Answers’ but is trying, with research interests focusing on the complexities of behaviorally-driven neural adaptation and biomechanical change leading to swallowing recovery following neurological injury. In her 25-year academic career, Prof Huckabee has co-authored three books, one in its 3rd edition, 15 book chapters and has published 130 peer reviewed scientific papers. A recent research programme has resulted in a regional reduction in pneumonia rates from 27 to 10%, with a subsequent savings in health care costs for the health system of over $1.4 million in one year. For this research, she was awarded one of the top research medals from the University of Canterbury – The Innovation Medal, was a finalist for the NZ Women of Influence Award in Science and Innovation and nominated for New Zealander of the Year in the Innovation category. Prof Huckabee is committed to translational science to move research discoveries into routine clinical practice. As such, she is the recent founder of Swallowing Technologies Ltd, a commercial enterprise to translate laboratory developed technology to clinical care. She is well known as a clinical teacher and is an invited speaker by health systems worldwide to provide clinical training, particularly in rehabilitation practices.

Associate Professor Phoebe Macrae is an expert in upper aerodigestive tract physiology, specialising in the coordination of swallowing (dysphagia), coughing, and respiratory function. These interdependent airway-protective mechanisms are essential for breathing, nutrition and survival. Dysfunction across these systems frequently co-occurs, placing individuals at significant risk of aspiration, respiratory compromise, and pneumonia. Each year, around 9,000 New Zealanders develop dysphagia following stroke, head and neck cancer, neurological disorders, and complex medical conditions, with Māori disproportionately represented in morbidity and mortality statistics.

Her research programme spans three interconnected domains:

• Sensory processing, airway sensation, and sensorimotor integration in upper aerodigestive function
• Outcome measurement, psychometrics, measurement validity, and instrumental assessment in dysphagia and cough research
• Hauora Māori, indigenous health research, health equity, and culturally grounded approaches to aerodigestive care

Phoebe integrates methods from speech-language therapy, respiratory physiology, neuroscience, clinical measurement science, and biomechanics to examine the dynamic relationships between respiration, swallowing, and airway protection. Her multidisciplinary translational research enhances diagnostic precision, clinical decision making, and evidence-based management of aerodigestive dysfunction across acute, rehabilitation, and community healthcare settings.

She is recognised for advancing instrumental swallowing assessment, cough assessment methodologies, outcome measure development, and research reproducibility. Her work has contributed to more rigorous evaluation of upper aerodigestive function in both clinical and research contexts. Concurrently, she is developing Kaupapa Māori research frameworks that indigenises assessment and intervention approaches, strengthen cultural safety and clinical competence, and support improved health service delivery and outcomes for Māori communities.