MEET THE STAFF
Dr. Carol Miller | cam47@psu.edu
Ph.D (Psychology), University of Pennsylvania, 1994
Member of the Center for Language Science.
My research interests are focused around typical and atypical language development, particularly children with specific language impairment; cognitive processes in communication disorders, with emphasis on speed of processing and working memory in children and adults with language disorders; and bilingual language development. I use behavioral and electrophysiological methods.
MEET THE GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Abdlrahman Alabdallah | asa6337@psu.edu
I am a Ph.D. student in Communication Sciences and Disorders with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Linguistics. Currently, I am involved in two lab projects: ‘Auditory Evoked Potential in Children using EEG’ and ‘Language Processing in Monolinguals and Bilinguals’. Previously, I worked as a Data Linguist with Amazon, where I developed Alexa devices. My research interests include lexical retrieval, priming, child disorders, and phonetics and phonology.
Belle Kress | iek5021@psu.edu
I am a current second-year CSD Master’s student originally from Charlottesville, Virginia. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communication Disorders from the University of Virginia. My research interest is focused on the assessment of child language disorders, specifically the intersection of language and behavior in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Hanna Motley | hem5234@psu.edu
I’m a first-year graduate student from Ashland, Pennsylvania. I previously completed my Bachelor of Science in CSD here at Penn State! During this time, I developed interests in cognitive assessments and impairments, particularly in individuals with neurogenic communication disorders. I look forward to participating in the EEG lab team as a graduate assistant, as we examine specific events of cognitive processing.
Tyshia Myers | trm5589@psu.edu
I am a current first-year CSD master’s student. I received my undergraduate degree in CSD from Penn State in 2022. I am originally from Chester County, Pennsylvania. I am excited to be a part of the CLD lab and work more closely with the research that has been conducted so far.
MEET THE UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Leah Daukshus | lrd5345@psu.edu
I am a sophomore majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minoring in Human Development and Family studies and Rehabilitation Human Services. This is my first year in Dr. Miller’s lab and I am excited to have this opportunity to gain valuable experience in language development.
Courtney Gallagher | cqg5400@psu.edu
I am currently a senior from Wayne, PA, and I am majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and plan on minoring in French and Human Development & Family Studies. My interests include the language side of speech-language pathology, specifically language acquisition in children as well as identifying and treating different language disorders. In the future, I hope to work with children with language impairments, or possibly adults with aphasia. I am looking forward to starting EEG work in the lab and learning through hands-on experience!
Gidey Gezae | gjg5425@psu.edu
I am a sophomore from Burtonsville, MD, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Working with Dr.Miller and my peers has been great. Through our work, I’ve learned a lot about EEG technology, and I’m excited to explore its connection with child language development. Outside of the lab, I am actively engaged as a Healthworks peer educator, IDEA Ambassador, and a Worklink Ally at Penn State. Over the past year and a half, being a part of this team has been incredibly rewarding.
Raegan Holzhuter | rah5888@psu.edu
Alex Kana | aqk5963@psu.edu
I am a senior from Harrison City, PA, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Since joining Dr. Miller’s lab, I have been introduced to EEG technology and the complex nuances that it can detect within the brain. I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of a research lab that combines brain-related technology with speech because of my own personal experience with a stutter. Besides the lab, I am the treasurer of NSSLHA, an active member of the HHD Honors Society, and a intramural basketball player here at Penn State. I’m grateful to be on such a good team and look forward to all that we will achieve!
Mary Lefever | mcl5573@psu.edu
I am a senior from Lancaster, PA majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to work on the EEG system team. I am appreciative of the hands on learning I receive from the different software platforms and the time spent in the whisper room. Outside of the lab, I am involved in THON, NSSLHA, Sign Language Organization, and my sorority. I’m excited to continue this year with the CLDL lab.
Trina Lord | tel5296@psu.edu
I am a junior Communication Sciences and Disorders student with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from North Huntingdon, PA (outside of Pittsburgh). I am involved in Sign Language Organization, NSSLHA, HHD Honors Society, and Schreyer Honors College. I am so excited to be apart of this lab to have the opportunity to learn more about speech and language with a great team of people!
Sarah Mento | sem6332@psu.edu
I am a third year from South Jersey studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with specific interests in pediatrics. This is my first full year in the lab, and I am grateful for the opportunities it provides me. I have not only gained research experience, but now have a better understanding of the ways we process language and will carry that valuable knowledge into my future career.
Maddie Solano | mcs6300@psu.edu
I am a third-year student from North Haledon, New Jersey majoring in Communication Science and Disorders. I am a part of the Schreyer Honors College, Sign Language Organization, and the Peruvian Student Association (TPSA). I am passionate about the transformative power of communication so I am looking forward this lab and so excited to have the opportunity to learn more in depth about child language development.
LAB ALUMNI
So Yeon Chun (Ph.D. 2023), Tracy Kammerer (M.S. 2023), Grace Johnson (M.S. 2023), Karen Gonzalez (M.S. 2023), Veronica Snell (B.S. 2023), Caitlin Conner (B.S. 2023), Kerry Whittle (B.S. 2023), Hannah Hebert (M.S. 2022), Tiana Cowan (Ph.D. 2021)