Michael Scimeca is an assistant professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. He completed both his doctoral training in speech, language and hearing sciences and clinical training in speech-language pathology at Boston University. Additionally, he trained as a clinical fellow in Boston University’s Aphasia Resource Center, where he provided individual and group-based services to adults with aphasia and other acquired communication disorders.
As a UCF alumnus, Scimeca is especially pleased to return to his alma mater as a faculty member. He is committed to mentoring students across levels of research training and to preparing the next generation of clinical researchers in aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders.
Scimeca is the director of the Aphasia and Multilingual Processing (AMP) Lab, whose work focuses on language and reading in adults with acquired communication disorders, particularly bilingual adults with aphasia. This work examines how bilingual language experience and characteristics of acquired brain injury jointly influence patterns of impairment and recovery across aphasia and alexia. His broader program of research encompasses both basic science and clinically oriented aims that include investigating cross-linguistic phenomena in language and reading, improving access to rehabilitation services, and developing more appropriate cross-linguistic assessment and intervention materials for bilingual adults with aphasia. He is also interested in participation-based approaches to rehabilitation, such as interventions that support a meaningful return to social communication, reading, and engagement in everyday life.
Scimeca’s work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Credentials
- Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy, Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences, Boston University
- MS, Master of Science, Speech-Language Pathology, Boston University
- MA, Master of Arts, Linguistics, University of Virginia
- BS, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida
- BA, Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, University of Central Florida
- CCC-SLP, Certificate of Clinical Competence for Speech-Language Pathologists
Scimeca’s research characterizes acquired language and reading disorders in bilingual adults with aphasia. He is particularly interested in how premorbid language experience, proficiency, and patterns of language use and literacy experience shape post-stroke outcomes. His work uses behavioral and eye-tracking methods to study real-time language and reading processes and better understand cross-linguistic patterns of impairment across languages and writing systems.
A complementary line of research focuses on improving the clinical care of bilingual adults with aphasia. This work examines the validity of assessment approaches across linguistically distinct populations, barriers to accessing bilingual aphasia rehabilitation, and strategies for developing more linguistically appropriate services. He is also interested in participation-focused rehabilitation, including group-based and reading-focused interventions that support meaningful (re)engagement in everyday life.
Areas of Specialty
- Aphasia
- Bilingualism and Multilingualism
- Alexia and Acquired Reading Disorders
- Cross-Linguistic Language Assessment
- Group-Based Aphasia Rehabilitation
SPA3412: Cognition & Communication: Brain Stories
2025 Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2025 NIH/NIDCD Young Investigator Travel Fellowship
Academy of Aphasia Conference
2024–2026 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual NRSA (F31)
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH
Awarded in support of doctoral dissertation work in bilingual aphasia and alexia
2024 NIH/NIDCD Research Symposium in Clinical Aphasiology Student Fellowship
Clinical Aphasiology Conference
2023 New Century Scholars Doctoral Scholarship
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
2020 Graduate Student Scholarship
American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
2017 Convocation Founder’s Day Thesis Award
UCF College of Arts and Humanities
Awarded one year after graduation in recognition of best undergraduate thesis
2016 1st Place Undergraduate Research Presentation
UCF Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence
2016 Order of Pegasus
UCF Office of the President
UCF’s highest student honor, recognizing achievement in academics, university service, and leadership
2012–2016 UCF Provost Scholarship
UCF Burnett Honors College
Awarded full tuition and fees for four years of undergraduate study
National Leadership & Review Roles
2026–Present
Member, Program Committee, Clinical Aphasiology Conference
2026–Present
Reviewer, Aphasia Access Leadership Summit
School/Department Service
2026–Present
Undergraduate Program Committee
Ph.D. Program Committee
