University of Virginia

Imaging & Communication Outcomes Lab

We are a translational research lab studying anatomy, speech physiology, and treatment innovations for children with cleft and craniofacial differences.

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Our approach

More precise assessment.
Better-informed decisions.

Our work combines clinical imaging, speech assessment, quantitative anatomic analysis, and collaborative technology development to better understand how anatomy shapes speech physiology and to improve how treatment decisions are made. We aim to translate research into clinical tools, share new knowledge with the scientific and clinical community, and contribute to the broader conversations that are shaping the future of speech and craniofacial care. Our methods have broad translational applicability and can support research across the domains of cleft and craniofacial care, and voice, swallowing, and upper airway function to drive surgical innovation and improve long-term speech outcomes.

Explore our research

VISUALIZE & MEASURE
Quantify anatomy
SIMULATE
Test function
EVALUATE
Advance treatment
TRANSLATE
Communicate results

iCO Lab imaging research featured in UVA's Precision Decisions — Research in focus · Precision Decisions

See the work in practice

What can imaging reveal before a treatment decision?

In Precision Decisions, Dr. Mason discusses the iCO Lab’s work using MRI and computational modeling to better understand speech anatomy and support more individualized approaches to care.

Read the feature ↗Explore the published research

Get involved

Take part in the work.

Families, clinicians, students, and collaborators each bring important perspectives to the lab.

For families

Help shape what we learn.

Families make this work possible. Explore our studies and learn what taking part in speech and imaging research involves.

Learn about participating

For clinicians

Connect research with care.

Find imaging resources, clinical tools, and research that informs conversations about assessment and treatment.

Browse clinical resources

For students & collaborators

Bring your perspective.

Explore research training and collaborations across clinical care, engineering, imaging, and data science.

Explore ways to get involved

The people behind the questions

Clinical questions.
Collaborative methods.

Our team brings together speech-language pathology, surgery, biomedical engineering, imaging science, data science, and related fields. Students contribute to the work alongside researchers and clinical collaborators.

Meet the lab

Discovery, learning & community