Hi, I’m Sarah! I’m an Honors Cognitive Science major, and this is my fifth semester as a part of the lab. I am interested in learning about the connections between observable behaviors and their physiological correlates, especially in relation to language and learning/developmental disorders. My ultimate goal is to become a certified Clinical Neuropsychologist. Outside of the lab, I am involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a gender-inclusive service fraternity, and Psychology Club. My favorite parts of the lab are working with the participants and being able to see their brain activity in real time on the EEG.

My name is Montana Andrea and I am a Speech Language and Hearing Sciences major and Human Development and Family Sciences minor. I began working in the lab Fall of 2022 as a Research Assistant and assumed the position of Senior Research Assistant in the Fall of 2023. I am fascinated by our research on Bilingualism’s effect on speech perception and I have explored its effects on the onset of Alzheimers in my research paper. I  thoroughly enjoy working alongside our community of Research Assistants who demonstrate the utmost professionalism and dedication to our research project. Outside of the lab, I am the Vice President of NSSLHA and spend time in the Child Development labs on campus. My lifelong passion for working with children is reflected in my career goal to work in a school providing speech services. 

My name is Sophia Rakovan and I am a senior research assistant in the SPLD Lab. I began my time in the lab as a research assistant in the winter of 2022 and became senior research assistant in the spring of 2023. I’m majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Outside of the lab, I am the Community Outreach Liaison of the ASL Club and work to make connections with other organizations to promote accessibility. I look forward to pursuing my MA in Speech Language Pathology and hope to continue researching during that time.

Hi! My name is Jill deJongh and I am a senior SLHS major with a minor in psychology. After I graduate from UConn, I am planning on getting my masters degree in speech language pathology, and I eventually want to work in a hospital setting in pediatrics. I started in the SPLD lab during the fall of my junior year, and so far my favorite part has been working with EEG technology and getting to work with the other RA’s! Some of my favorite classes I’ve taken at UConn have been neuroscience of cognitive and communicative disorders and speech and language acquisition. In addition to the lab, I am also involved in NSSHLA, Best Buddies, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Hi, my name is Madelyn Falcone and I am a second year student at UConn, but I plan to graduate a year early. I am an SLHS major and my career goal is to become a medical speech pathologist in either a hospital or outpatient setting. I hope to explore both fields more so that I can discover what is right for me! I have been a Research Assistant for the SPLD Lab since Fall 2023, and I plan to continue my time in the lab as it is one of my favorite aspects of UConn. My favorite part of the lab is getting to work with EEG caps and other equipment that I would not have used without this opportunity. I am also involved in NSSLHA, UConn’s First Year Experience Mentor Program, the Public Health Learning Community, and Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. 

Hi! My name is Amanda Pernerewski and I am a senior SLHS major with a psychology minor. After graduation I am hoping to continue my studies and get a Masters degree in speech language pathology and eventually work in an elementary or middle school in the future. I started in the lab during the fall semester of my sophomore year, so this is my fourth semester. I am also involved in ASL club and NSSHLA on campus. My favorite part of the lab is seeing all of the work to complete this research come together! 

Hi! My majors are SLHS and HDFS, my goal is to work as an SLP in a hospital setting, preferably in pediatrics and families. I am hoping to learn more about NICU feeding, but I am also open to working in a preschool. I’ve been working in the SPLD lab for about a year now (since first semester of my sophomore year). I am also involved in ASL club, NSSLHA, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority! My favorite part of the lab are the other RAs and SRAs! I have made some great relationships and gotten a lot of opportunities through this lab! 

Hi my name is Caroline Taylor and I’m a senior SLHS and Psychology double major looking to become an SLP. I hope to specifically cater to the special needs population in my SLP work and eventually open my own practice one day. I have been involved in the Speech Perception lab since the spring semester of my sophomore year (2022). I started training that semester and was officially a lab assistant the following fall semester. My favorite part of the lab is being able to work with electrodes in real time. Many of us learn about electrodes in our classes, but being trained in utilizing them and working with them weekly is an awesome immersive experience.  Overall, I love learning about the brain and how certain behaviors are connected to different brain functions and dysfunctions. This lab has been a great outlet that gives me more knowledge on the study of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Outside of the lab, I’m a member of NSSLHA, I’m secretary of a club called Sing for Hope and president of the Catholic Center student e-board.

My name is Khushi Patel. I am a senior double majoring in Speech Language and Hearing sciences and Psychological sciences. I hope to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and work with kids in the future. This is my second semester in the SPLD lab, and I love learning the different aspects of research and inner workings that go into it. Outside of Lab, I am involved in Husky Ambassadors, Week of Welcome, Kids and UConn bridging education, Create and Communicate, Psi Shi, Phi Betta Kappa honors society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. 

Hi my name is Brianna Candiotti and I am a Speech, Language and Hearing major and a Spanish minor. My career goal is to become a Speech Language Pathologist, specifically in a rehabilitation center with adults and elders. I am a member of NSSLHA and the club Create and Communicate. I have been in the SPLD Lab for two semesters or since second semester my sophomore year. My favorite part of the lab is interacting with participants and learning more about the research on speech perception. This lab has allowed me to make new connections within the SLHS program and help me achieve new opportunities!

I am a senior majoring in SLHS and psychology with a minor in Spanish, and I have been involved in the lab for about a year. My career goal is to become a medical speech language pathologist. On campus, I am involved in NSSLHA, the peer mentoring program, week of welcome, and working at my on-campus job at Mango. My academic interests include neuroscience and articulation and fluency disorders. My favorite parts of the lab are learning more about the technology we use and getting to know the other members of the lab!

My name is Molly Rourke and I am a sophomore double-majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Spanish and minoring in ASL. I am interested in multilingualism and hope to become a Speech Pathologist working with children internationally, specifically in Latin America. On campus, I am involved as the Conference Director for UConn Model UN, on the UConn Fencing team, in ASL club, in BAILE, and as a member of NSSLHA. My favorite part of the lab is exploring linguistic differences and learning about how multilingualism affects pronunciation on various scales, including sociologically and neurologically!