NEW YORK (TIP): The American Academy of Audiology has named Dr. Vinaya Manchaiah, an Indian American associate professor and director of audiology at Lamar University, to the 2016 class of Jerger Future Leaders of Audiology.

Manchaiah is one of only a dozen individuals selected nationally for the honor.

Manchaiah is the Jo Mayo Endowed Professor and holds a Ph.D. in disability research from Linkoping University, Sweden, an executive M.B.A. from Swansea University, United Kingdom, the Doctor of Audiology from Nova Southeastern University, M.S. in Audiology from the University of Southampton, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Speech and Hearing from the University of Mysore, India.

“He exemplifies the role of teacher, researcher and collaborator. His contributions have put the program of audiology at Lamar University in the national and global spotlight,” said Monica Harn, Diane H. Shaver Professor in Speech and Hearing Sciences and chair of the university’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences.

In addition to his prolific research and teaching, Manchaiah is co-founder and director for strategic planning for the non-profit non-governmental organization Audiology India, for which he served as president from 2011 to 2015. The organization seeks to foster ear and hearing health care in India.

The American Academy of Audiology is the world’s largest professional organization of, by, and for audiologists. The active membership of more than 12,000 is dedicated to providing quality hearing care services through professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing and balance disorders.