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CV

Education
 

PhD Speech & Hearing Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, HK SAR                                                                                               2023

Thesis: Development of speech sounds and phonetic complexity in Urdu-speaking children

Supervisors: Prof. Carol K. S. To, Prof. Xiuli Tong

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MS Speech and Language Pathology, University of the Punjab, Pakistan                                                                                               2016

 Thesis: Acoustic analysis of normal voice patterns in Pakistani adults

Supervisors: Ms. Nazia Bashir, Ms. Sharmeen Aslam Tarar, Dr. Rukhsana Kausar

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MSc Human Development and Family Studies, University of the Punjab, Pakistan                                                                          2013

Thesis: Relationship between generalized anxiety disorder and academic motivation of university students

Supervisors: Ms. Samina Chaudhary, Dr. Attiya Inam

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BSc Home Economics, Govt. College of Home Economics, University of the Punjab, Pakistan                                                             2011

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Short-term Study

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Workshop on Expanding Research in Language Development (WERLD)                                                          March-May 2025

University of Chicago (online 8-week course)                                                

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PolyU Summer School – Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience (LCN)                                                          July-August 2019

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, HK SAR                                                

Courses: CBS6441-Advanced Topics in Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics (cr. hrs. 3)

                    CBS6442-Advanced Topics in Research Methodology for Language Sciences (cr. hrs. 3)

                  

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Employment History

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Post-doctoral Researcher                                                                                                                                           November 2023 - present

The University of Hong Kong, HK SAR

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Teaching Assistant                                                                                                                                                                                                   2020

The University of Hong Kong, HK SAR

Courses: SHSC3032-Language Development and Language Disorders in the Pre-primary School Years

                   SHSC5032-Advanced Studies I: Interprofessional Practice and Multilingualism in Pediatric Settings

 

Lecturer                                                                                                                                                                               September-October 2018

Multan College of Speech & Language Therapy, Pakistan

 

Clinical Supervisor                                                                                                                                                        September-October 2018

Ibn-e-Siena Hospital & Research Institute, Pakistan

 

Web Developer                                                                                                                                                                            February-May 2017

Independent/Free-lancer

 

Research Assistant                                                                                                                                               December 2016-January 2017

Centre for Clinical Psychology, University of the Punjab, Pakistan  

Project: Generosity, Emotion Regulation, and Perceived Wellness in Elderly

Supervisor: Ms. Tehreem Arshad                                                                                            

 

Junior Speech-Language Pathologist                                                                                                                    June 2016-January 2017

Speech Therapy Clinic, Pakistan

Supervisor: Ms. Sharmeen Aslam Tarar                                                                                 

 

Web Administrator & Coordinator                                                                                                              October 2015-December 2016

Pakistan Association of Speech-Language Pathology (PASP)

 

Web Developer                                                                                                                                                                   June 2015- August 2016

Independent/Free-lancer

 

Intern                                                                                                                                                                                                    July-August 2013

Department of Psychiatry, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

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Intern                                                                                                                                                                                                        June-July 2012

Department of Developmental Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Volunteer Activity

Reviewer                                                                                                                                                                            
Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics, International Journal of Speech & Language Pathology
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Member                                                                                                                                                                             June 2018-March 2019
Youth Counselling & Development Network (YCDN)

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Subject and Career Advisor                                                                                                                                        May 2016-March 2019
Career Counselling Portal, Pakistan
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  • Ambreen, S. & To, C. K. S. (forthcoming). Urdu speech development. In S. McLeod (Ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Speech Development in Languages of the World. Oxford University Press.
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Book Chapter

Journal Publications

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (2024). Review of the phonological system of contemporary Urdu spoken in Pakistan. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2024.2324905 [Link]

  • Anwar, M., Khan, N., Tarar, S. A., & Ambreen, S. (under process). Acoustic analysis of normal voice patterns in young Pakistani children.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (2022). Development of the Urdu speech assessment test. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology, 24(3), 138–145. [Link]

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (2021). Phonological development in Urdu-speaking children: A systematic review. Journal of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences, 64(11), 4213–4234. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-21-00148. [Link]

  • Ambreen, S., Hamdani, S. Z., & Anwar, M. (2021). Speaking fundamental frequency of native Urdu speakers - A pilot study. Journal of Voice, 36(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2020.03.016. [Link]

  • Hamdani, S. Z., & Ambreen, S. (2021). Data for narrative skills of Urdu-speaking preschoolers. Data in Brief, 34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2021.106737. [Link]

  • Ambreen, S., Bashir, N., Tarar, S. A., & Kausar, R. (2020). Maximum phonation time in adults with normal voice. Rawal Medical Journal, 45(3). [Link]

  • Ambreen, S., Bashir, N., Tarar, S. A., & Kausar, R. (2017). Acoustic analysis of normal voice patterns in Pakistan adults. Journal of Voice, 33(1), 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.09.003. [Link]

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Conference Posters and Presentations (refereed) 

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (November 2024). The Index of Phonetic Complexity: Adaptation to Urdu. Oral presentation at Early Childhood Voices Conference (ECV2024). Charles Sturt University. Australia.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (November 2024). Urdu Speech Development. Oral presentation at Early Childhood Voices Conference (ECV2024). Charles Sturt University. Australia.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (July 2024). Acquisition of Urdu vowels in typically developing children. Poster presented at International Congress for the Study of Child Language (IASCL). Prague, Czech Republic.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (July 2024). Adaptation of the index of phonetic complexity to Urdu. Poster presented at International Congress for the Study of Child Language (IASCL). Prague, Czech Republic.

  • Qi, X., Ng, W. W. H., Tsang, G. H. K., Ambreen, S., So, K. K. H., & To, C. K. S. (December 2022). Efficacy of a self-directed video-based caregiver-implemented language program. Oral presentation at Early Childhood Voices Conference (ECV2022). Charles Sturt University. Australia. [Link]

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (June 2022). Urdu phonological system: Exploring the acquisition and developing a language-specific assessment test. Oral presentation at International Child Phonology Conference (ICPC). Purdue University, USA.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (May 2022). A review of the Urdu phonological system. Poster presented at The National Conference of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA). Melbourne, Australia.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (November 2021). Developing a speech assessment test for Urdu-speaking children. Poster presented at The ASHA Convention. Washington DC, USA.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (November 2021). Urdu phonological acquisition by typically developing children - A systematic review. Poster presented at The ASHA Convention. Washington DC, USA.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, C. K. S. (June 2021). The development of Urdu speech sound assessment test (USAT). Oral presentation at International Child Phonology Conference (ICPC). University of Alberta, Canada.

  • Anwar, M., Ambreen, S., Khan, N., & Tarar, S. A. (June 2021). Acoustic voice analysis of young Urdu-speaking children. Poster presented at International Child Phonology Conference (ICPC). University of Alberta, Canada.

  • Anwar, M., Ambreen, S., Khan, N., & Tarar, S. A. (June 2021). Characteristics of word-initial stop consonants produced by young Urdu speakers. Poster presented at International Child Phonology Conference (ICPC). University of Alberta,Canada.

  • Ambreen, S., & To, K. S. C. (December 2020). A systematic review of Urdu phonological development. Oral Presentation at Research Postgraduate Conference (RPC 2020-21). Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, HK SAR.

  • Anwar, M., Khan, N., Tarar, S. A., Ambreen, S. (March 2020). An acoustic study of word-initial stop consonants among two-to-five years old Urdu speakers. Oral presentation at 7th National Medical & Allied Health Conference. Rashid Latif Medical College & Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

  • Tarar, S. A., & Ambreen, S. (April 2016). Evidence-based practice - The new face of clinical practice. Oral presentation at 3rd National Medical & Allied Health Conference. Rashid Latif Medical College & Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Pakistan.

  • Ambreen, S. (April 2016). Clinical application of evidence-based practice in speech-language pathology. Oral presentation at 3rd National Medical & Allied Health Conference. Rashid Latif Medical College & Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital, Pakistan.

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Invited Talk/Workshops

  • 2025             Transfer or disorder: Understanding sound patterns in Urdu-English multilinguals, as part of the webinar titled Multilingual                          and Multicultural Aspects in Assessment and Intervention of SSD by The Child Speech Committee of International                                          Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP)

  • 2021              Invited Panel Talk (webinar) - Reflections from the field: Scope and opportunities for graduates of Human Development and                        Family Studies (HDFS), University of Home Economics, Lahore, Pakistan

  • 2020             Invited Talk (virtual) - Scholarships and funding opportunities at the University of Hong Kong, WEmpower, Pakista

Juror/Examiner

  • 2018              Juror, for the Final Jury of the BS 3rd year Industrial Design Project, titled "Edutainment", held at the School of Arts,                         Design, and Architecture (SADA), National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

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Awards and Honors

  • 2019-23         Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS), The University of Hong Kong, HK SAR

  • 2007               Certificate and Shield of Honor for outstanding performance in SCC Exams, Tabindah Model High School, Pakistan  

  • 2005               Certificate and Shield of Honor (for scholarship exam) Iqra Board of Education, Punjab, Pakistan

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Professional Memberships

  • 2025                        Asia Pacific Society of Speech, Language, and Hearing (APSSLH)

  • 2024-present         International Association for the Study of Child Language (IASCL)

  • 2021-22                   The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

  • 2019-20                   The Hong Kong Association of Speech Therapists (HKAST)

  • 2018-20                   Pakistan Association for Speech-Language Pathologists (PASP) [Membership # SM1718]

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Certification

  • Teaching       Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (CTLHE), by Centre for the Enhancement of                                                        Teaching and Learning, The University of Hong Kong, HK SAR

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Skills

  • Languages    Urdu (native), Punjabi (native), English (fluent)

  • Software       Praat, Phon

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Email: saira.ambreen90@gmail.com | ambreen@connect.hku.hk                                                               

© 2023 | Saira Ambreen

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