Shawn Cummings
Shawn Cummings is a Ph.D. student in the Laboratory for Spoken Language Processing, working with Dr. Rachel Theodore. He is a recipient of the Donald Shankweiler Language Sciences Award from the CNC-CT program, and an NSF NRT fellow. He received undergraduate degrees in both Brain and Cognitive Sciences and Linguistics from the University of Rochester. His current research examines causal reasoning as a mechanism for adaptation in speech perception.
Lee Drown
Lee Drown is a Ph.D. student and a CNC-CT trainee working with Dr. Rachel Theodore. She obtained a BS in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology at Ithaca College, and a clinical Master's degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her current research interests include phonological representation and auditory processing skills in populations with both acquired and developmental language disorders.
Nikole Giovannone
Nikole Giovannone is a PhD student and Jorgensen Fellow working with Dr. Rachel Theodore. She received her BA in Psycholinguistics from Mount Holyoke College. Her interests include speech perception, prosody, functional plasticity, and electrophysiology.
Emily Jackson
Emily Jackson is a PhD student and OSEP scholar participating in the Early Childhood Intervention Doctoral Consortium (ECiDC). She received a B.A. in Psychology and Education & Child Studies from Smith College and a clinical M.A. in Communication Disorders from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Emily received her CCC-SLP and is an ASHA-certified Speech Language Pathologist with clinical experience working with children and families in early intervention. Her research interests include cultural responsiveness in parent coaching models, family-centered practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration of professionals in early intervention.
Amanda Wadams
Amanda Wadams is a first year PhD student working with Dr. Mozeiko. Prior to returning to academia, Amanda worked clinically in skilled nursing and home health settings. Amanda’s research focuses on the relationship between cognitive functioning and language, especially in those with acquired brain injury. Specifically, Amanda is researching attention, working memory, executive function and metacognition in people with aphasia.
Kacie Wittke
Kacie Wittke is a doctoral student and NSF IGERT Fellow working with Dr. Tammie Spaulding. Prior to returning to academia, she worked as a speech-language pathologist in a pediatric medical setting where she gained experience with a variety of childhood language and developmental disorders. Her current research interests include specific language impairment, autism, and executive functioning.
Torri Ann Woodruff
Torri Ann Woodruff is starting her first year in the Audiology PhD program in the department of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences at UConn. She completed Bachelor’s degrees in Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences and Psychology at the UConn before moving to Washington, D.C. to attend Gallaudet University for her Non-Clinical Masters in Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences. Torri Ann has experience in a clinical capacity as a graduate student clinician at Gallaudet University and at a private practice. With regards to research, she was involved with labs at both Universities concerned with topics such as amplification related stigma, intervention services for individuals with blood and needle phobia, and telehealth for aural rehabilitation services with cochlear implant users. With these experiences, her focus has become the administration of support services for pediatric clients and their families.