Research Assistants

The Role As A Research Assistant

The Speech Perception and Language Development Lab is made up of a hard-working and dedicated group of research assistants. As Research Assistants, some of our tasks include performing hearing screenings on participants, setting up electroencephalography (EEG) caps, running impedance and digitization checks on the caps, utilizing Aeroview, and cleaning up after the lab is completed. As a team, we look at how bilinguals and monolinguals process speech in familiar and unfamiliar language environments.

Shabnam Alizadeh Incheh

My name is Shabnam Alizadeh Incheh and I am a Ph.D. student under the supervision of Dr. Adrián Gracia-Sierra. My research broadly focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying bilingual language processing. Specifically, I investigate how cross-linguistic interference affects speech perception, sentence processing, and language control. Our ongoing project employs Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) to examine how heritage Spanish bilinguals navigate competing grammatical structures and phonetic cues in real-time. By analyzing the interaction between phonetic production and grammatical processing, my work aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of bilingual cognition and the dynamic nature of linguistic representation.

Shabnam Alizadeh Incheh

Sarah Gallagher

My name is Sarah Gallagher and I am a junior majoring in SLHS with a psychology minor. My career goals are very fluid as I extend my experience in both the field of Speech Pathology and Audiology. The SPLD lab has provided me with unique research experience related to language perception and development through a bilingual lens that have applied to my education while here at UConn. I am a member of the NSSLHA club, the Vice President of Club Field Hockey, and volunteer at the Mansfield Senior Center weekly.

 

Sarah Gallagher

Michelle Zhu

Hi! My name is Michelle Zhu and I am a senior Secondary Mathematics Education and Pure Mathematics dual degree. I am particularly interested in exploring multilingualism and supporting bilingual learners in the classroom. In fact, I am currently student teaching on an all ELL team. My career goal is to work in an ELL classroom, as well as pursue a PhD to further study and understand multilingualism. I am currently an Honors student, a University Scholar, and a member of the Outing Club, German Club, and UConn Future Educators. This is my second semester working in the lab and I am very excited to work with the other lab members and see the research progress!

  • UConn University Scholar
  • IBACS Undergraduate Research Supply Award Recipient
  • IDEA Grant Recipient

Isabella Piskator

Hi! My name is Isabella Piskator, and I am a senior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. I joined the SPLD Lab in Fall 2025 and am excited to gain hands-on research experience. I have especially enjoyed learning through EEG training and expanding my knowledge of speech perception research. My future goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, with a particular interest in working with children or individuals with neurogenic communication disorders. Outside of the lab, I enjoy cooking, reading, and exploring new opportunities.

Vladimir Yaroslavovich Klyukin

Hello! My name is Vladimir Yaroslavovich Klyukin, and I am a junior Speech Language and Hearing Sciences major with a Biology minor. I am still undecided between SLP and Audiology as a final career but am excited for the opportunity and experience working in this lab will bring. I am heavily involved on campus, working both in the UConn Climbing Center and as a Resident Assistant in North campus. I also hold an Eboard position on the UConn Woodsmen team as the equipment manager in addition to competing. I’m interested in the underlying mechanisms of language processing and production and I am very excited to work with the rest of the team.

Vladimir Yaroslavovich Klyukin

Julia Majenski

My name is Julia Majenski, and I am a senior double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Human Development and Family Sciences. I am an active member of NSSLHA and Alpha Chi Omega, and I plan to begin a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology in Fall 2026. I am especially interested in pediatrics, while also looking forward to exploring a variety of clinical settings. Through my involvement in the SPLD Lab, I am gaining exposure to research on how bilinguals process speech and look forward to applying this perspective in my future clinical training.

Molly Rourke

My name is Molly Rourke, and I am a senior double-majoring in Spanish and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. Upon graduating in Spring 2026, I plan to continue my studies abroad with a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy. My clinical interests include bilingualism, cleft lip and palate studies, and dialectology. I joined the SLPD lab in Fall 2023 and have had some great experiences working with various programs and research mediums. On campus, I am involved in UConn Model United Nations, UConn Fencing, and ASL club. I am very excited to continue my research with this lab!

Previous Students

Student                              Major                          Mentor Activity                Achievements

Davey, Sarah Elizabeth    COGS                          Honors Student                 RES EXPR

Grillakis, Priscilla            SLHS/NEAG              Honors Student                 IDEA grant

Smith, Cali                        COGS                          Honors Student                 SHARE award

Welsh, Eilis                      SLHS                          Honors Student                 IDEA grant

Wig, Noelle                      SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study            NSF-GRFP

 

Achuka, Pamela                SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Albino Rachel Marie        SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Andrea, Montana              SLHS/HSFS             Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Arcomano, Lexi                PSYC                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Barnett, Molly Mia           SLHS/PSYC             Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Bates, Sydney                   SLHS/ SPAN              Independent Study                RES EXPR

Beacham, Samantha         SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Benson, Virginia              COGS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Cammisa Christine           SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Candiotti, Brianna             SLHS                          Independent Study                RES EXPR

Casale, Kara Lynn            SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Chavez,Valeria Rose        PSYC                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Cieplak, Rachel Marie      SLHS/Music               Independent Study              RES EXPR

Comiskey, Emma             SLHS/HDFS               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Constantine, Kaleigh        SLHS                          Independent Study                RES EXPR

Cutkomp, Leiah E             SLHS/PSYC/SPAN    Independent Study              RES EXPR

Dejongh, Jill Marina         SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Dias, Cynthia Moura        PSYC                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Duncan, Gianna                SLHS/HDFS               Independent Study              RES EXPR

Duntz, Tayla J.                 SLHS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Dwyer, Abigail                 SLHS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Dwyer, Michaela              SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Eydelman, Michelle         SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Fagan, Kristen                  SLHS/LING                Independent Study               RES EXPR

Falcone, Madelyn             SLHS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Fischl, Amy Diana            SLHS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Flores, Crystal                  SLHS/ANTH              Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Fromson, Jordan               SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Fromson, Jordan               SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Haestad, Sara Lyon           PNB                            Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Hodlin, Erika                    SLHS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Hundley, Julia                  SLHS/HDFS               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Jabbar, Moiz                     PNB                            Independent Study                   RES EXPR

Jason Guo                         High school                YSSS program                           RES EXPR

Kane, Lina                        SLHS/HDFS               Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Khan, Anusha                   SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Khan, Shahmeen               SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Laspada, Emily J              SLHS                          Independent Study                  RES EXPR

Lombardi, Ashley             SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Macnamara, Nina             SLHS                          Independent Study                 RES EXPR

Marmolejos, Alondra       SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Mason Thompson             High School                YSSS program                       RES EXPR

Maule, Amanda R.            SLHS                          Independent Study                RES EXPR

Moulton, Madeline           SLHS/ PSYC              Independent Study               RES EXPR

Myhill, Rebecca               SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Nelson, Alexandra           SLHS                           Independent Study                RES EXPR

Neumuth, Mary Kate      SLHS                           Independent Study                RES EXPR

O’Rourke, Amy                 SLHS/COGS               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Overchuk, Elizabeth         SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Pace, Bailey McKenna     SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Patel, Khushi B                 SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Pernerewski, Amanda       SLHS                          Independent Study              RES EXPR

Polcaro, Sarah Dawn        SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study             RES EXPR

Porter, Kaitlyn                   SLHS/PSYC/LING     Independent Study            RES EXPR

Power, Jessica Frances     SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study             RES EXPR

Priscilla Grillakis               SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study              RES EXPR

Rakovan, Sophia               SLHS/ ASL                 Independent Study              RES EXPR

Robertson, Dylan             COGS                          Independent Study               RES EXPR

Sakowicz, Brooke             SLHS/ PSYC              Independent Study               RES EXPR

Singh, Pushpinder             PNB                            Independent Study               RES EXPR

Taylor, Caroline                SLHS/PSYC               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Thai, Anna                        AHNR/ AHS               Independent Study                RES EXPR

Tozzi, Allison Marie        SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study               RES EXPR

Vela, Michelle Astrid       SLHS/ PSYC              Independent Study               RES EXPR

Vetrano, Stephanie           SLHS/ SOC                Independent Study              RES EXPR

Villa, Gabrielle                 SLHS/SPAN               Independent Study               RES EXPR