Neurocognitive Research on the Rehabilitation of Language
Cal State East Bay NRRL Lab
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Welcome to the Neurocognitive Research on the Rehabilitation of Language Lab at California State University, East Bay!
The mission of the lab is to improve the lives of people with aphasia (PWA). Aphasia is an acquired language disorder due to brain injury, typically to the left side of the brain.
Research in the lab has several aims, including to: 1) Elucidate the relationship between language, cognition, mood, and engagement/participation in PWA, 2) Develop and refine interdisciplinary group-based interventions for PWA and explore how these interventions affect the aforementioned variables, and 3) Further the understanding of the brain bases of these relationships, including how to encourage beneficial neuroplasticity to enhance response to intervention
About me
The NRRL Lab is directed by Michelle Gravier, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Assistant Professor in the Cal State East Bay Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department.
Dr. Gravier earned her Ph.D. from the San Diego State/University of San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings working with adults with neurogenic communication disorders.
LAB ANNOUNCEMENTS
3/17/24
NRRL Lab Members present at the 2024 California Speech-Language and Hearing Association Conference in San Francisco!
Student research teams presented a clinical overview of a Visual Arts Program for people with aphasia, an Aphasia Choir Advisory Board, and Non-Linguistic Cognitive Effects of Participating in Exercise for people with aphasia. Dr. Gravier co-presented with Dr. McCollum from San Jose State University and student lab member Roxanne Azpiroz about the "hidden curriculum" of graduate school admissions. Congrats to all the presenters!
Dr. Gravier with Dr. McCollum (left) and Roxanne Azpiroz (right) after their talk about graduate school admissions
Student lab members Ci He (left in pink shirt) and Christy Thies (right top in green shirt) discuss their poster on the Aphasia Choir Advisory Board with conference attendees
Student lab member Ann Lu (in gray blazer) discusses her poster on the effects of participating in a group exercise program on non-linguistic cognitive abilities of people with aphasia.
Student lab member Chloe Fleischer (in black blazer) discusses the clinical overview of a Visual Arts group for people with aphasia.
6/1/23
NRRL Lab Member Christy Thies awarded a 2023 Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) Conference Student Fellowship!
The Fellowship is awarded to students who strive through research, education, and advocacy to improve the quality of life for people with neurologically-based communication impairments. Christy's award includes complimentary registration at the ANCDS 2023 Annual Scientific & Business Meeting, at which she will be assigned a conference mentor, as well as a one-year ANCDS student membership. Congrats Christy!
6/1/23
Dr. Gravier Receives 2023 Tavistock Trust for Aphasia Distinguished Scholar Award
The aim of these awards is to foster and encourage pioneering research that aims to make a difference in the everyday lives of people living with aphasia, their families and caregivers. The award is given in recognition of scholarly excellence in Research and Publications dedicated to improving life with aphasia, Mentoring of research students to conduct research associated with quality of life, life participation, conversation or similar topics related to life with aphasia, and Working to improve external grant funding that addresses the needs of people living with aphasia.
Thank you to the Tavistock Trust for their support!
5/19/23
Dr. Gravier presents invited talk at 23rd annual Pacific Stroke Association Conference
Dr. Gravier presented a talk entitles "Adjunctive therapies to enhance the effectiveness of speech-language intervention following stroke" to an audience of medical professionals during the last day of the PSA Stroke Conference. Thank you to PSA for the invitation!
4/3/23
NRRL Lab members present at the 2023 California Speech-Language and Hearing Association Conference in Anaheim!
Research teams presented on topics including the impact of long-term participation in the Aphasia Tones aphasia choir, a scoping review of visual arts interventions for people with aphasia, and a tutorial session about how to collaboratively support the psychosocial well-being of individuals with aphasia. Congrats to all and especially the student presenters!
From left to right: Aphasia Tones member, Drew Sperling, Aphasia Tones Co-Directors and NRRL Lab members, Ci He and Christy Thies, Aphasia Treatment Program Director Emeritus and Aphasia Tones founder, Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, and Dr. Michelle Gravier
NRRL lab members Aislyn Swift (left) and Chloe Fleischer stand next to their research poster
NRRL Lab member Haley Hayashi and Dr. Gravier present their tutorial
12/2/22
NRRL Lab was awarded a 2023 Ability Central Training Communication Access Professionals Grant!
The "SPEAK: Supporting mental health Providers by Elevating Aphasia Knowledge" grant is a collaboration with Dr. Kristen Gustavson from the CSU East Bay Social Work Department. The aims of the project are to develop, trial, and disseminate training materials to improve the communication skills and confidence of mental health professionals during interactions with individuals with aphasia. Keep checking back for progress!
11/18/22
NRRL Student Lab Member Presents at the 2022 ASHA Convention!
Graduate student lab member Ann Lu presented her first research poster "Lessons Learned from Developing an Interdisciplinary Online Exercise Group for Individuals with Aphasia" at the 2022 ASHA Conference.
Ann stands next to the interactive iPoster at the end of the poster session
6/24/22
The NRRL Lab Attends the 2022 International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference in Philadelphia, PA!
At IARC 2022 we joined more than 150 researchers, clinicians, and people with aphasia and their family members to discuss well-being and aphasia, active components of aphasia intervention, and advancing access and inclusivity in aphasia services
Lab members (from right to left, below) Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, Kate Setness, Dr. Michelle Gravier, Haley Hayashi, and Christy Thies were joined in this photo by Dr. Sarah Northcott (far left) from City University, London.
Congrats to grad student lab members Haley Hayashi ("US SLP Perspectives on Supporting the Psychological Health of Individuals With Aphasia") and Christy Thies (“Esprit de Corps”: Exploring the Impact of Long-Term Participation in the Aphasia Tones Choir") for their outstanding poster presentations
11/16/21
The LifeLong Activity & Movement for Aphasia (LLAMA) Program is featured on the newest Aphasia Access Podcast!
The programmatic and research collaboration between our lab and Kinesiology Department faculty and Kinesiology Research Group members Dr. Sherwood and Dr. Mendoza was recently released! Take a listen to learn how the program started and hear about some of our initial findings:
https://aphasiaaccess.libsyn.com/a-llama-a-resistance-band-and-neil-diamond-walk-into-a-bar-an-interprofessional-exercise-program-for-individuals-with-aphasia-a-conversation-with-michelle-gravier-albert-mendoza-and-jennifer-sherwood
7/16/21
Lab member Haley Hayashi was selected to receive a 2021 Students Preparing for Academic-Research Careers (SPARC) Award from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)!
The SPARC award will support Haley as she pursues individualized mentored teaching and research activities with her mentor, Dr. Gravier, and will provide structured networking opportunities at the 2021 ASHA Convention. Congrats Haley!
RESOURCES
The National Aphasia Association (NAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for persons with aphasia and their families. Their website has a lot of information about aphasia, and resources for people with aphasia, their friends and family members, and professionals.
Aphasia Access is a network of healthcare, business, and community leaders to advance lifelong communication access for people with aphasia. Their website has great resources, many of which are available to non-members. Be sure to check out the Aphasia AccessPodcast!
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