UW’s Kotlarek Named President’s Distinguished Scholar

Katelyn Kotlarek, an assistant professor in the Division of Communication Disorders in the University of Wyoming’s College of Health Sciences, has been selected as a President’s Distinguished Scholar.

Kotlarek is an accomplished scholar in cleft palate and craniofacial disorders, focusing on characterizing typical and atypical velopharyngeal morphology and determining the impact of primary palatoplasty on the velopharyngeal mechanism, with the goal of improving speech and surgical outcomes. Her work also aims to enhance training in craniofacial care.

Her work is published in top-tier journals, including the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal and the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research. Kotlarek has successfully secured support from the National Institutes of Health and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation for her work.

Her dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Early Career Contributions in Research Award, the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association Emerging Leader Award and the UW Presidential Scholarly Achievement Award.

Beyond research, Kotlarek is an inspiring mentor. She has guided students across the College of Health Sciences, with one of her former thesis students earning the UW Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award and the Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship. She also has advised students in the WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) Medical Education Program, with several receiving prestigious research awards.

“Katelyn’s dedication to research and mentorship sets a high standard at UW,” UW President Ed Seidel says. “Her contributions to her field and commitment to academic excellence make her an ideal nominee for this recognition. We are thrilled to support her continued success as a President’s Distinguished Scholar.”

The President’s Distinguished Scholars Program seeks to recognize outstanding scholarship among faculty in all academic disciplines, with a focus on early-career faculty who show exceptional promise towards excellence in scholarship. To learn more about the program, visit the President’s Distinguished Scholars webpage. 

Kotlarek will hold the title of President’s Distinguished Scholar for the next three years and will receive a monetary award to further her research and academic initiatives.