Ellen Bernstein-Ellis directed the Aphasia Treatment Program at Cal State East Bay for over ten years and currently serves as a program specialist. Ellen launched the Aphasia Tones Choir in 2009 and led ATP’s partnership with the National Park Service to help develop aphasia-friendly materials. She is a recipient of the ASHA 2014 Certificate of Recognition for Special Contributions in Higher Education.  She previously worked at the Aphasia Center of California for over a decade where she helped to develop The Book Connection. Her areas of interest include group treatment of aphasia, aphasia book clubs, aphasia choirs, life participation approach to aphasia, communicative access, and aphasia awareness. Her work in Dr. Gravier's NRRL lab focuses on a qualitative research project examining the impact of long-term participation in the Aphasia Tones Choir.  

Dr. Mendoza is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at CSU East Bay. His research focus is on advancing and communicating new knowledge pertaining to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) assessment using wearable sensors, and to develop and validate innovative methods to process and interpret PA and SB data collected from wearable sensors. As a first-generation Latino scholar, Dr. Mendoza has an innovative and natural ability to integrate aspects of DEI into all areas including study design and recruitment, and student mentoring. 

Dr. Jennifer Sherwood is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology Department at California State University, East Bay (CSUEB). Since 2018, She has been co-directing the Life-Long Activity and Movement for Aphasia (LLAMA) with Drs. Michelle Gravier and Albert Mendoza. Her research focus is on understanding physical function changes in, and developing physical interventions for, healthy and post-stroke older adults.

Dr. Kristen Gustavson is a licensed psychotherapist and an Assistant Professor of Social Work at California State University, East Bay. Her work aims to improve the lives of those living with mental health issues and mental illness and well as the lives of their family members. This involves both providing counseling, training the next generation of social workers, and advocating for mental health policy change at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Eve Higby completed a B.A. in Spanish, with certificates in Linguistics and in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, from Florida International University and a Ph.D. in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, with a concentration in Cognitive Science, from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, followed by a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Her research sits at the intersection of linguistics, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and communication disorders. She studies language production and comprehension in bi/multilinguals and older adults, the role of cognition in regulating language, and the neural underpinnings of language and cognitive processes. 

Noel is a graduate research assistant on the High Intensity Interval Training and Discourse in Aphasia project and a 1st year student in the extended graduate program in SLP. Prior to their graduate studies, Noel attended UCLA, where they received their bachelor’s in Linguistics & Psychology with a minor in Education Studies. Having been involved in early childhood language acquisition research, Noel is excited to contribute to the field of aphasia treatment across the lifespan. In their free time, they enjoy arts and crafts, video games, and trying new foods.

Jade is a graduate research assistant on the High Intensity Interval Training and Discourse in Aphasia project. Jade joined the project in March of 2025 with the role of administering Pre- and Post-Tx Language Assessments and providing assistance during exercise sessions. Her current role includes analyzing narrative language samples to examine how high-intensity physical exercise may improve discourse in individuals with aphasia.

Aileen is a 1st year graduate student in the SLP Master's program and is a graduate research assistant for the High Intensity Interval Training and Discourse in Aphasia and the Counseling Experiences in Aphasia projects.In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, language exchange, swimming, and cooking Middle Eastern food. 

Audrey is a first-year graduate student in the SLP master's program and a graduate research assistant on the Counseling Experiences in Aphasia project. After switching from a career in molecular biology research. Excited to contribute to research again. In her free time, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, watching soccer, and baking.

Samantha is a first year graduate student and graduate research assistant on the Counseling Experiences in Aphasia project. Outside her academic interests, she enjoys engaging in arts and crafts, singing, cooking, and baking — especially homemade bread. 

 Vibha is an undergraduate student in the Speech Pathology and Audiology program and an undergraduate research assistant on the High Intensity Interval Training and Discourse in Aphasia project.