Dr. J. Bruce Tomblin, a pioneer in the field of speech and language disorders, has been selected to receive the Callier Prize in Communication Disorders, a biennial award from the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

The prize recognizes individuals for their leadership in fostering scientific advances  in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. The prize, which alternates between the fields of audiology, and speech and language pathology, includes a $10,000 award.

Tomblin is the Spriestersbach Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa, where he holds academic appointments as a professor in the Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Otolaryngology. 

“The Callier Center is delighted to award the Callier Prize to Dr. Tomblin,” said Dr. Thomas Campbell, executive director of the Callier Center.  “His influential research has had a significant impact on our understanding of the epidemiology and genetic causes of language disorders in children.” 

The call for nominations ended in January and produced a diverse, accomplished group of 32 candidates from the around the world.

Distinguished researchers and practitioners in the field of speech-language pathology assessed the nominees for contributions to improving the lives of people with communication disorders.

Tomblin’s selection was based on a record of research that has significantly advanced the epidemiology, etiology, assessment and treatment of children’s language disorders.

“Through his dedication, exceptional research vision and outstanding multidisciplinary leadership talents, Dr. Tomblin has changed what we know about children’s language, speech and hearing disorders to an extraordinary degree,” remarked Dr. Anne van Kleeck, chair of the Callier Prize’s selection committee. “As a primary example, in leading the first epidemiological study of the prevalence of language disorders in kindergarten children, Dr. Tomblin developed screening and evaluation tests that remain to this day the standard for identifying children with unexplained language difficulties.”

Tomblin will receive the award at a one-day conference in his honor sponsored by the Foundation for the Callier Center at its Dallas location on March 5, 2011. Local, state, national and international leaders in speech-language pathology, in addition to philanthropic supporters, community leaders and university officials are expected to attend.