Lab Members

Ashlie is a postdoctoral researcher at SDSU, working with Dr. Abel and affiliated with Project Intersect, as well as a Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow at Speech Tree Therapy Center. She is a Nebraska native but has always been a big-city girl at heart; she earned her B.S. in Applied Psychology and Linguistics from New York University and moved to San Diego in June 2017, where she earned her Ph.D. in Language and Communicative Disorders from SDSU/UCSD. She is interested in the neural processes underlying language and cognition in typical and language-impaired populations and how to leverage AI and cutting-edge technology in the field of communication sciences and disorders, specifically regarding early identification of communication impairments. Her research uses behavioral and electrophysiological (EEG) methods to explore lexical representation development (i.e., word learning) and lexical-semantic processing in individuals with and without language-based communication disorders, such as developmental language disorder (DLD) and post-stroke aphasia. She ultimately aims to use her research and clinical expertise to develop wearable technology that informs caregivers about their child’s language development and facilitates early detection and diagnosis. In her free time, Ashlie enjoys competitively weightlifting, indulging in ice cream, and spending quality time with her husband and their dog and two cats.

Suad grew up in San Diego, CA, and earned her B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) from San Diego State University in 2024. She later completed the Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Licensure Pathway at California State University, Chico, in 2024. Her interests include bilingual language development, speech-language assessment and intervention, with a particular focus on child development, literacy, and supporting individuals with developmental delays. She has experience providing one-on-one intervention to children and young adults with autism and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, including BCBAs and speech-language pathologists. In her free time, Suad enjoys reading, savoring a cup of tea, and spending time with her loved ones.

Erica is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at SDSU. She attended SDSU for her undergraduate degree as well, graduating with a B.A. in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in 2023. Before beginning her Master's program, Erica spent two years in Washington, D.C. working for a nonprofit where she supported adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to live independently. In her free time, you can find Erica knitting, reading, or rock climbing!

Audrey is a first-year M.A. student in the Speech Language Pathology program at San Diego State University. She received her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University San Marcos in 2024. Before entering SDSU’s program, she worked as an elementary school instructional aide for a year, supporting students with their reading, writing, and social skills. Outside of classes and clinic, you could find Audrey at a park, thrift store, or home with her two dogs.

Jolina is a second-year graduate student pursuing her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at San Diego State University. She was born and raised near Sacramento, California and graduated in December 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Linguistics from the University of California, Irvine and in December 2023 with a B.S. in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education from Utah State University. Before beginning her Master’s program, Jolina worked as a behavior therapist where she had the privilege of working with many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and various other developmental disabilities. In her free time, you can always find Jolina spending time with friends, singing, or going on coffee/boba runs.

Abby is a first-year graduate student pursuing her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at San Diego State University. Originally from the Bay Area, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June 2024. Discovering speech-language pathology helped Abby connect her interest in child language development with a clear professional path, leading her to pursue graduate school. She hopes to work with school-aged children in the future. Outside of school, Abby enjoys hiking, coffee, and spending time at the beach!

Brooke (she/her) is a second-year M.A. student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at San Diego State University. She moved to San Diego in August of 2024 from Burlington, Vermont, where she worked as an elementary and middle school SLPA. Additionally, she completed over 1000+ AmeriCorps service hours for a nonprofit youth organization. She is originally from Albany, New York, and graduated in 2023 from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York, with a B.A. in Cognitive Science and Linguistics. Brooke aspires to be a high school SLP after completing her master’s. In her free time, Brooke loves to knit, read, ski (when the geographic location and season permits), and spend time with her cats and dog.

Volha is a first-year graduate student at San Diego State University pursuing a Master’s degree in Linguistics (general track). She is from Belarus, where she earned her MA in Modern Foreign Languages (teaching) from Minsk State Linguistic University. This is her first year in the Language Learning Lab. Volha plans to gain knowledge in the field and, upon completing her MA, intends to apply for a doctoral program. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, doing sports, and exploring new activities.

Devin is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and minoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is from Westchester, New York, and loves listening to music, going to concerts, journaling, and baking. Devin is hoping to gain knowledge and experience in the lab and become more immersed in the field as she is hoping to become a speech pathologist in the future. Additionally, she is part of the Weber Honors College Student Society, Women in Medicine, as well as SDSU Ambassadors. This is Devin’s first year in the Language Learning Lab as a research assistant and she is super excited to get started!

Simone is a third year student at San Diego State University studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with plans to become an audiologist. She is from the Sacramento area and loves hiking, going to the gym, and music. She is passionate about accessibility and equality in education, and is especially interested in neural processes. This is her second year working as a research assistant in the Language and Learning Lab, and she is excited to continue working w ith such a great team.

Celeste is a third-year undergraduate student at San Diego State University, majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She is from Long Beach, California, and enjoys watching sunsets, taking in city views, and baking. Celeste hopes to become an elementary school speech therapist, inspired by the speech therapists she worked with during her childhood. She is also a Presidential Scholar at SDSU. This is her first year as a research assistant in the Language Learning Lab, and she is very excited to get started!

Gaby is a fourth year student at San Diego State University majoring in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences, and minoring in Personality and Social Psychology. She is from Los Angeles, California and loves the beach, going to concerts, and cooking. Along with being a research assistant in the Language Learning Lab, she is also a literacy liberator for DEEP through the ChiLD3 lab. She is very passionate about American Sign Language and wants to incorporate that in her future career hopefully as a pediatric speech pathologist.

Jovelle is a third-year undergraduate student at SDSU majoring in Speech-Language, Hearing Sciences, and minoring in Child-Family Development. She grew up in the Bay Area where she worked in a daycare facility which prompted her interest in the SLP field. She currently works part-time at the SDSU Children's Center on campus where she continues to gain knowledge about the connection of SLHS to children's language development. With this in mind, she hopes to work with children and their language development in the future. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, cooking, going to the gym, and going to the beach.

Halle is a third-year student at San Diego State University majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in American Sign Language Studies. She aspires to become a pediatric speech-language pathologist specializing in supporting neurodivergent populations. She is from Bakersfield, CA, and she enjoys spending time at the beach, going to concerts, and hiking! This is her second year in the Language Learning Lab, and she is excited to further immerse herself in research and the field of speech-language pathology.

Evelyn is a senior at Francis Parker School, and hopes to study linguistics in college. She is from San Diego, and loves drawing, playing and listening to music, and hanging out with her cats. She is particularly interested in learning about language development, psycholinguistics and communication, but also hopes to study many languages!

Melanie is a post-baccalaureate student at SDSU studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from UC San Diego in Winter 2023, graduating with distinction and an academic focus in development and disorders. Melanie currently works full-time at UCSD and serves as an English language transcriptionist and coder for the ChiLD3 Lab. She is applying to master’s programs with the goal of eventually pursuing a PhD focused on the intersection of pragmatic language use, social reasoning, and conceptual development. In her free time, she enjoys long walks, yoga, and spending time at the beach.