Office Hours
By Appointment
In the news
Education
PhD, University of Florida
AuD, Nova Southeastern University, UK
MD, Damascus University Hospital, Syria
About Me
Razan Al Fakir is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Auburn University. As a first-generation physician, she holds an M.D. degree in otolaryngology from Syria. Throughout her career, she has worked as an otologist/neurotologist and rehabilitative audiologist in Syria and Qatar, focusing on the early detection and intervention of ear diseases leading to hearing loss and balance disorders. She played a pivotal role in the development of the Syrian cochlear implant program, collaborating with her colleagues.
Recognizing the limitations of research infrastructure in her home country, Razan Al Fakir decided to pursue further education. She obtained a Doctor of Audiology degree (Au.D.) from Nova Southeastern University and a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, becoming the first Syrian to hold a Ph.D. degree in communication sciences and disorders. Her Ph.D. program was marked by notable achievements, including the receipt of the Dean's Scholar Award from the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida.
After completing her Ph.D., she was honored with the Crawford Research Fellow in Otolaryngology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, where she served for four consecutive years. During her time at the Mayo Clinic, she collaborated with various teams, including otologists, audiologists, laryngologists, speech pathologists, aging and neuroscientists, and cardiovascular surgeons. Through these interdisciplinary collaborations, she contributed to the publication of numerous papers and laid the foundation for potential lines of research aimed at enhancing patient care. Her work focused on evaluating and comparing outcomes and values to improve and assist in patient care.
Awards and Honors
|
2022 |
Outstanding Young Alumni Award, University of Florida |
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2020 |
Florida Vascular Foundation Research Scholarship Award |
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2016 |
Crawford Fellowship Award in Otolaryngology, Mayo Clinic |
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2016 |
Herbert J. Oyer Student Research Award, Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology |
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2016 |
Dean’s Scholar Award of Public Health & Health Professions College in Recognition of Graduate Scholarly Achievement and Professional Promise, University of Florida |
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2016 |
VAA Student Research Scholarship Award, Virginia Association on Aging |
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2016 |
Certificate of Recognition for my Outstanding Research Presentation at the 1st Annual Graduate Student Appreciation Week, University of Florida |
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2015 |
Outstanding Graduate Students. Students Council Award, University of Florida |
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2014 |
Outstanding Achievement in Academic, University, And Community Service from Alec Courtelis Award (1st place), the University of Florida International Center |
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2013 |
Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for Achieving and Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, University of Florida International Center |
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2012 |
Graduate School Fellowship (GSF) Awards, University of Florida |
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2011 |
Outstanding Achievement in Community Service for the Hearing Screening Campaigns, Hamad Medical Corporation |
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2010 |
Certification of Appreciation for the best guest lecturer, Om Maabad Middle School, Qatar |
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2005 |
Certification of Appreciation for Otologic and Hearing Screening Service, Special Olympic/Middle East and North Africa, Syria |
Lab(s)
ABILITY Lab
Courses Taught
- SLHS 8200: Amplification I
- SLHS 8420: Amplification II
- SLHS 8800: Neurological Basis of Communication Disorders
- SLHS 8600: Balance Disorders
- SLHS 8210: Medical Aspects of Hearing Disorders
- SLHS 8620: Outcome Measures in Audiology
- SLHS 4620: Hearing Rehabilitation
- SLHS 8980: Capstone Project