Maria Perez-Abalo, Ph.D.

Current Title & Duties

Associate Professor for the Ph.D. in Human Services Program - Miami Campus

Biography

Dr. Perez Abalo has a doctorate in medicine (MD) with a specialization in Clinical Neurophysiology and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a major in Audiology and Electroaudiometry from the University of Havana, Cuba. She is a Professor at Albizu University in Miami, FL, and a Council Member of the International Electrical Response Audiometry Study Group (IERASG).

Research / Research Interests

Dr. Perez-Abalo's clinical and research focuses are on Cognitive and Developmental Neurosciences, Hearing & Communication, Electroaudiometry, and Health and Human Services Prevention Programs. She has published an extensive number of papers in peer-reviewed journals and authored textbooks. In 1983, Dr. Perez Abalo worked for over thirty years as a senior researcher and professor in the Neuroscience Research Center. She was a founding member of the Hearing Screening Program in Havana, developed innovative technology and methods, trained personnel for the national expansion of the Hearing Screening Program, and managed translational screening experiences in other countries. She has received national awards in Science and in Education, and several distinctions for scientific merit and introduction of research and technology into practice.

Academics, Education, Certifications

Doctor of Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D.) Major in Audiology/Electroaudiometry, National Center of Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba, 1983-1988

Medical Specialization in Pathological and Normal Physiology (Clinical Neurophysiology) Ministry of Health, Havana, Cuba, First Grade 1978, Second Grade, 1999

Doctor of Medicine (MD) University of Havana, Cuba, 1976

Research fellowship in Neural basis of Hearing & Language, Rothman Research Institute, Toronto, Canada, 2003

Research Certifications, Cuban Academy of Sciences, Havana, Cuba:  Assistant Researcher 1981; Associate Researcher 1995; Senior Researcher 1999; Full Professor 2009

Postdoctoral academic scholarship in Cognitive Neuropsychology & Psychophysiology, Autonomous University, DF, Mexico, 1989

Training Scholarship in Human Auditory Evoked Responses (AEP) Human Neuroscience Research Unit, supervisor T.W. Picton MD, Ph.D., Ottawa Canada, 1983

Postgraduate Courses (800 hours) in Neurosciences/Clinical Neurophysiology, National Center for Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba, 1977-1979

Postgraduate Courses (672 hours) in Fundamental Sciences: Mathematics, Research, Statistics, Computer Sciences, Electronics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, National Center for Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba, 1976-1977

Recent Publications

Perez Abalo, M. C. (2022). Auditory steady state response—80-Hz response. In J. D. Durrant, C.G. Fowler, J.A. Ferraro, & S. C. Purdy (Eds.), Basic Concepts of Clinical Electrophysiology in Audiology, (pp. 209-219). Plural Publishing, Inc.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Gaya, J., Savio, G., Perera, M., Ponce de Leon, M., Sanchez, M., & Rodriguez, E. (2009). A 25-year review of Cuba’s screening program for early detection of hearing loss MEDICC review. International Journal of Cuban Health & Medicine 11 (1): 21-27

Savio, G. & Perez Abalo, M. C. (2007). ASSRs and hearing screening. In G. Rance (Ed.) Auditory Steady-State Response: Generation, Recording, and Clinical Applications (pp. 185-199) Plural Publishing, Inc.

Savio G., Perez Abalo, M. C., Gaya J., Hernandez O., Mijares E. (2005) Test accuracy and prognostic validity of multiple auditory steady-state responses for a targeted hearing screening. International Journal of Audiology 45 (2): 109-120, 2005.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Savio, G., Torres, A., Martin, V., Rodriguez, E., & Galan, L. (2001) Steady-state responses to multiple amplitude-modulated tones: An optimized method to test frequency-specific thresholds in hearing impaired children and normal subjects. Ear & Hearing, 22: 200-211.

Lins, O., Picton, T., Boucher, B., Durieux-Smith, A., Champagne, S., Moran, L., Perez Abalo, M. C., Martin, V., & Savio, G. (1996). Ear and Hearing, 17(2): 81-96. (award best in all categories, Hearing Journal annual literature review, April 1997 50 (4) Supp.)

Perez Abalo, M. C., Rodriguez, R., Bobes, M., Gutierrez, J., Valdes Sosa, M. (1994) Brain potentials and the availability of semantic and phonological codes over time. Neuroreport (5): 2173-2177.

Diaz, G., Guma, E., Perez Abalo, M. C., Figueredo, P., Viruez, T., Rodriguez, C., Alvarez, A., Biscay, R. & Quesada, M. (1992) Quantitative EEG norms for Cuban population between ages 5-97 years. International Journal of Neuroscience (49): 221-223.

Valdes P., Perez Abalo, M. C., Biscay R., Díaz G., Alvarez A., Carballo J.& Virues, T. (1992) Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) in a public health system. Brain Topography (4): 259-266.

Biscay, R., Clark, I., Perez Abalo, M. C., (1992) Maximum likelihood estimation of signal detection model parameters for the assessment of two-stage diagnostic strategies. International Journal Biomed. Computer. (31): 117-126.

Perez Abalo M. C., Valdés Sosa M., Bobes M., Galán L., Biscay R. Different functional properties of on and off components in the auditory brainstem to tone bursts Audiology (27): 249-259, 1988.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Perera M; Bobes M., Valdés, M., Sánchez M., A pilot study of hearing screening in Havana City. Cuban Journal of Biomedical Research (7):60-74, 1988.

Valdes Sosa, M., Bobes M., Perez Abalo M. C., Perera, M., Carballo, J. A., & Valdes, P. (1987) Comparison of auditory evoked potentials detection methods using signal detection theory (SDT). Audiology, 26:166-178.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Perera, M., Bobes, M., Valdés, M., Sánchez, M. (1986) Characterization of the auditory brainstem evoked potentials in Cuban babies. Cuban Journal of Biomedical Research, 5: 419-429, 1986.

Stappells, D; Picton, T. W., Perez Abalo, M. C., Read, D., Smith, A. (1985). Frequency specificity in evoked potential audiometry. In J. T. Jacobson (Ed). Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry. College Hill Press, San Diego.

Picton, T. W., Hink, R. F., Perez Abalo, M. C., Linden, R.L., & Wiens, A. S., (1984) Evoked potentials: How now? Journal of Electrophysiological Technology (10): 177-221.

Perez Abalo, M. C. (2022). Auditory steady state response—80-Hz response. In J. D. Durrant, C.G.  Fowler, J.A. Ferraro, & S. C. Purdy (Eds.), Basic Concepts of Clinical Electrophysiology in Audiology, (pp. 209-219). Plural Publishing, Inc.

Savio, G. & Perez Abalo, M. C. (2007). ASSRs and hearing screening. in rance, G. (Ed), The auditory steady-state response: Generation, recording, and clinical application (pp 185-199). Plural Publishing San Diego. California.

Perez Abalo, M. C. (2008) Elements of psychophysiology. In Alvarez, M., (Ed) Principles of Neurosciences for Psychologists (pp: Felix Varela Publishing, Havana, December 2008.

Charro, L., Hernandez, R., Perez Abalo, M. C., Aznielle, T., Galan, L., & Machado, C. (2001) Multimodal evoked potentials: Neurophysiologic techniques and clinical applications Ed PALCIEN Publishing Communication, Science and Technology, Havana.

Stappells, D., Picton, TW., Perez Abalo, M. C., Read, D., & Smith A. Frequency specificity in evoked potential audiometry. (1985) In. J.T. Jacobson (Ed). Auditory Brainstem Response Audiometry, College Hill Press, San Diego.

Flores, Y., Perez Abalo M. C. & Bravo, I. M. (2021) Stress and coping skills in caregivers of persons with disabilities: Long- and short-term effects. Doctoral Dissertation, Albizu University Miami Campus Accepted for publication ProQuest, 2021

Rivera Arroyo, N., Perez Abalo, M. C., Martinez, R. & Bravo, I. M. (2021) Life satisfaction and successful aging: An ethnographic study in a congregation of retired Hispanic American daughters of charity sisters Doctoral Dissertation, Albizu University Miami Campus Accepted for publication ProQuest, 2021

Wimbley, K., Bravo, I. M., & Perez-Abalo, M. C. The price of freedom: A qualitative study exploration of African American male experiences following prison release [Doctoral dissertation, Albizu University Miami Campus] ProQuest Number: 27545186 Published by ProQuest LLO (2019).

Montoya, A., Perez Abalo, M. C., Galan, L. & Macias, N. (2016) Brain sources of auditory steady state potentials. In American Clinical Neurophysiology Society Annual Meeting (ICNFC) Proceedings, Orlando, February 10-14, S43 ICNF Proceedings.

Lim, G., Perez- Abalo M. C., Gerstenberger J., Morales Flowers, S. (2017) “Some permanent hearing loss is missed when “switched ear” passes are used to determine screening results”. Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (JEHDI) 2 (2), 48-55 doi:1-15142/T3DO6B Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/jehdi/vol2/iss2/9

Torres, A., Perez Abalo, M. C., Sotero Diaz, R., Rioja, L., Rodriguez, E., Galan, L., Eimil, E. Stopping criteria for averaging the multiple auditory steady-state response acta of otorhinolaryngology (Spain) “Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española” 2011 (May-June) Vol. 62, Issue 3:173-180.

Santos, E. Perez Abalo M. C. (2008) A semiautomatic hearing screening system in the Audix V electroaudiometer In book series IFMBE proceedings ¨V Latin American Congress on Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering Solutions for Latin America Health¨ Part I Ed. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Vol. 18: 122-126.

Hernandez, M., Perez Abalo, M. C., Gaya, J., López, G., Torres, A., Mijares, E., Santos, E., Rioja, L., Rodríguez, E (2009) The auditory steady state evoked potentials to multiple frequencies: Clinical applications in pediatrics. Acta of the Spanish Society of Audiology (AEDA) 2009; 29-3:45-54

Mijares, E., Perez Abalo, M. C., Torres, A., Vega, M., Electrophysiological characterization of the envelope-following responses acta of otorhinolaryngology (Spain) “Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española” 2011 (November-December) Vol. 62, Issue 6: 425-431. 

Gaya, J., Hernandez, M., Savio, G., Perez-Abalo, M. C., Torres, A., Cabrera, L., Residual hearing in deaf blind children. Journal of the Cuban National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) 2006; 37(4): 278-284.

Savio, G., Perez-Abalo, M. C., Hernandez, D., Gaya, J., Santos, E., Otoacoustic emissions: A useful technique for early detection of peripheral hearing losses. Journal of the Cuban National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) 2006; 37(4): 353-360.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Gaya, J., Savio, G., Ponce de Leon, M., Reigosa, V., Torres, F. The Cuban hearing screening program. Journal of the Cuban National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) 2006; 37(4): 324-330.

Hernandez, D., Perez Abalo, M. C., Savio, G., Morgade, R., Maturational changes in central auditory processing. Journal of the Cuban National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) 2006; 37(4): 349-352.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Gaya, J., Savio, G., Ponce de Leon, M., Reigosa, V., Torres, F. The Cuban hearing screening program. Journal of the Cuban National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC) 2006; 37(4): 324-330.

Mijares, E., Perez Abalo, M. C., Savío, G., Screening methods at early stages of development. Electronic Journal of Audiology (Spain) “Auditio: Electronic Journal of Audiology (Spain) August 1, 2006, volume 3(1) http://auditio.com/revista/pdf/vol3/1/030103.pdf

Mijares, E., Gaya, J., Savio, G., Perez Abalo, M. C., Eimil, E., Torres, A., Diagnostic techniques commonly used for an early hearing screening. The Journal of Speech Pathology and Audiology (Spain) 2006; 26 (2) 91-100.

Morgade-Fonte, R., Perez-Abalo, M. C., Alvarez-Amador, A., Dias-Comas, L. (2006), Evaluation of the paroxysmal activity effects on cognitive processing in nonepileptic children with reading difficulties. Mexican Journal of Neurosciences 7: 536-544.

Sotero, RC, Valdes-Sosa, P & Perez Abalo, M. C. (2007) Analysis of the temporal response to multiple simultaneous amplitudes-modulated tones with a biophysical model of the cochlea. Journal of the National Center for Scientific Research Biological Sciences (CENIC): 370- 378.

Savio, G., Mijares E., Perez Abalo, M. C., Vega, M, Lage A.& Hernandez, D (2007). The efficiency of ASSR automatic detection is measured by ROC curves. Spanish Journal of Speech Pathology and Audiology (in Spanish) 27(1): 12-23.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Gaya, J., Savio, G., Ponce de Leon, M., Perera, M., & Reigosa Crespo, V. (2005). Early diagnosis and intervention of hearing impairment: The 20 years Cuban experience”. Journal of Neurology (Spain) 41 (9): 556-563.

Savio, G., Cardenas, J., Perez Abalo, M. C., Gonzalez, A., & Valdes, J. (2001) The low and high-frequency auditory steady-state responses mature at different rates. Audiology & Neuro-Otology. 6: 279-287.

Galan L, Biscay R, Rodriguez J., Perez Abalo, M. C., Rodriguez R. Testing topographic differences between event-related brain potentials by using non-parametric combinations of permutation tests. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology (102): 240-247, 1997

Sanchez, R., Riquenes, A., & Perez Abalo, M. C. (1995) Automatic detection of ABR using feature vectors. International Journal of Bio-Medical Computing (39): 287-297.

Reigosa, V., Perez Abalo, M. C., Manzano, M., & Antelo, J. (1994) An automated system for reading evaluation in children. (In Spanish) Revista Latina de Pensamiento y Lenguaje 2: 141-159.

Perez Abalo, M. C., Rodriguez, R., Bobes, M., Gutierrez, J., Valdes Sosa, M., “Brain potentials and the availability of semantic and phonological codes over time” Neuroreport (5): 2173-2177, 1994.

Alvarez, A., Perez Abalo, M.C., Morenza, L., Neuropsychological assessment of learning-disabled children New Issues in Neurosciences (NINS) (4): 40-74, 1992. Pérez Abalo, M.C., “Clinical Applications of Sensory evoked potentials in pediatrics”. Scientific Journal of Psychology and Neurology, Beijing, 1992.

Diaz, G., Guma, E., Perez Abalo, M. C., Figueredo, P., Viruez, T., Rodriguez, C., Alvarez, A., Biscay, R., Quesada, M., “Quantitative EEG norms for Cuban population between ages 5-97 years”. International Journal of Neuroscience (49): 221-223, 1992.

Perez Abalo, M. C., (collective of authors) In “Dengue Hemorragico em criancas”. Martinez Torres, E., Ed. Editorial Jose Martí, 1992.

Valdés, P., Perez, M.C., Biscay, R., Díaz, G., Alvarez A., Carballo J., Virues T. “QEEG in a public health system “. Brain Topography (4): 259-266, 1992.

Valdés, M., Perez, M. C., “Response and stimulus sequence effects on P300 amplitude”. Human Physiology (7): 729-822, 1981.

Perez, M. C., Valdes, M., Fernandez, L. (1983) Visual masking in a memory task. Spanish Journal of Havana Psychiatric Hospital 24: 223- 230.