Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar is a Deaf developmental psychologist and academic researcher specializing in health equity, communication, and quality of life among Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. She serves at Gallaudet University, holding key leadership roles including Dean of Research and Special Assistant to the Provost for Research and Engagement.
Early Life and Education
Kushalnagar was born in India; her family relocated to the United States when she was one year old after her deafness was identified. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Gallaudet University. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Houston, where she received her M.A. in Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology track) and completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology/Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience in 2007[4].
Her PhD dissertation demonstrated that early language acquisition is critical for developing selective attention networks and that high proficiency in two languages, rather than the age of acquisition, drives cognitive flexibility and attention-switching advantages in Deaf adults[5].
Following her doctorate, Kushalnagar received a two-year NIH Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research and a pediatric Research Loan Repayment Award for postdoctoral work at the University of Washington. She also contributed to studies on quality of life among Deaf youth, developing Deaf-specific patient-reported outcome measures[4].
Academic Career and Focus on Health Equity
In 2016, Kushalnagar joined Gallaudet University as faculty in the Department of Psychology, directing the Center for Deaf Health Equity and leading research on health disparities affecting Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities[2].
On November 23, 2020, she was appointed Special Assistant to the Provost for Research and Engagement, bringing over $3 million in contracts and federal grants to the university and strengthening research culture[1].
Research Contributions
Kushalnagar has studied cognitive effects of bilingualism (ASL and English) among Deaf individuals, showing that highly proficient bimodal bilinguals outperform less proficient peers in attention-switching tasks, highlighting cognitive flexibility advantages. She developed and validated Deaf-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments to better capture lived experiences in research and clinical practice. Her recent work focuses on cancer health equity in Deaf populations, for which she received an NIH grant targeting disparities in cancer screening and outcomes.[4]
Impact
Kushalnagar has significantly advanced health equity and inclusion for Deaf and hard-of-hearing populations. She is the first Deaf woman from an underrepresented racial/ethnic background to be awarded a major NIH grant, serving as a role model for underrepresented scholars in psychology and health research[1]. Her work on patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life measures has influenced clinical practice, ensuring Deaf individuals’ experiences are considered in research and healthcare evaluation. Her studies on bilingualism and cognitive flexibility have contributed to broader discussions on bilingual proficiency, emphasizing unique strengths within the Deaf community[4].
Through research, mentoring, and advocacy, Kushalnagar has bridged gaps between academia, healthcare, and the lived experiences of Deaf people, leaving a lasting impact on scientific knowledge and social equity.
- Gallaudet University. (2022, March 6). Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar awarded NIH grant to address cancer health equity in deaf and hard of hearing populations. Gallaudet News.
- Weinstock, R. (2022, December 13). Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar appointed Dean of Research. Gallaudet News.
- Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. (2015). New fellow Poorna Kushalnagar to present on patient-reported outcomes in deaf youth and adults.
- ORCID. (n.d.). Poorna Kushalnagar
- Kushalnagar, P. (2007). Language acquisition, bilingualism, and attention in deaf adults (Doctoral dissertation, University of Houston)
