Natalie joined the Child Language Learning Center as an undergraduate research assistant in 2022 through the BUILD EXITO program. Her interest in neuroscience led her to the Bilingual Eye Tracking project, with plans to write her honors thesis on the neural networks involved in language attrition. After graduating from Portland State University in Spring 2024, she plans to pursue research in cognitive and perceptual neuroscience. In her free time, Natalie enjoys painting, reading, and playing video games. 

Curriculum Vitae

Contact: nrobison@pdx.edu

Amy joined the the Child Language Learning Center as an undergraduate research assistant in 2022 as a BUILD EXITO Cohort 7 scholar. She is currently a senior majoring in Public Health: Pre Clinical Studies with a minor in Psychology and Neuroscience. Amy is on the Pre-Physician Assistant path and plans to attend PA school after graduating in Winter Term of 2024. She is also an University Honors student and her graduating thesis is on the Bilingual Eye Tracking project and the newly developed Qualitative Survey researching changes in language use/feelings since the pandemic in East/Southeast Asian-Americans. In her free time, Amy enjoys café hopping with friends and reading. 

Born and raised Portland native, Isabelle joined the Child Language Learning Center in 2021 as an undergraduate research volunteer, working with other team members to study heritage language maintenance. She is currently a senior in the Speech and Hearing Sciences department at Portland State University, working towards her bachelor's degree with a minor in Spanish. Isabelle is also an University Honor's student at PSU. Outside of her work in the community as an advocate for working students, Isabelle enjoys trips to the Oregon coast, spending time with her family, international travel and reading! After graduating in 2024, Isabelle hopes to attend graduate school in the PNW to become a Speech Language Pathologist. 

Molly joined the Child Language Learning Center in 2017 as a research speech-language pathologist. She received her B.A. in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish Language and Literature from Occidental College in 2005 and her M.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University in 2013. Over the past 10 years, Molly has lived and worked in Nanjing, China; Bujumbura, Burundi; and her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Prior to joining the lab, she was employed as a school-based SLP in Portland. When she's not at work, Molly enjoys dancing, drawing, crocheting, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Irene joined the Child Language Learning Center in the fall of 2021 as a graduate research assistant. She received her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a double major in Spanish at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Irene is a first year graduate student in the clinical speech language pathology program at Portland State University. As a speech-language pathologist, she plans on working in educational settings as a bilingual English-Spanish clinician. Her research interests include language development and bilingualism. In her free time, she enjoys embroidery, baking, and exploring new spots in Portland. 

A Portland State University alumna, Celine received her B.M. in Vocal Performance in 2013 and is currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate in speech and hearing sciences. She joined the preschool team of the Child Language Learning Center in the summer of 2021, with the hope to further explore her interests in language development and multilingualism. In her spare time, Celine enjoys singing as a member of Oregon Repertory Singers, cooking, hiking, and rooting for the Portland Timbers. 

Genesis is an undergraduate student at Portland State University. She is currently in her last year of pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a double minor in Spanish and Child, Youth, and Family Studies. She has the goal of attending graduate school to obtain her master’s in social work to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) working with BIPOC families and youth. Genesis joined the CLLC’s preschool team in the Summer of 2019 as a BUILD EXITO Scholar undergraduate research assistant. When she is not in the lab, you can find her working at her internship with Camp Fire Columbia, Before and After School Programs where she is working with her population of interest, elementary school students. In her spare time, Genesis enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her two cats, Lucy and Leo.

Abbey is currently a senior undergraduate in the speech and hearing program at Portland State University. She has been a volunteer research assistant and thesis student for the Preschool Study in the CLLC lab since the fall of 2019. Abbey is applying to graduate school and aspires to obtain her master’s degree in speech-language pathology to work as an SLP with children with complex speech differences and speech and language disorders. She is an advocate for early intervention and access to additional resources and services for all communities. When she is not in the lab, you can find her volunteering for the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) as a conversation partner at PSU. She is also a volunteer board member and allyship chair for the Multicultural Connections and Empowerment group (MCE) in SPHR at PSU. Abbey enjoys painting, listening to vinyls, and spending time outdoors with her fiance and little pup Maddy.

Emma is a junior at PSU. She transferred in 2020 from a community college in Santa Cruz, California where she grew up. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Child and Family Studies minor. Emma’s interests in language development and child psychology are what inspired her to join the CLLC. She joined the lab in November 2021 and became a member of the Preschool team. In her free time Emma likes to paint, bake, and crochet.

Sam is a post-baccalaureate student pursuing a CSD certificate. Her ultimate goal is to become a pediatric special-education SLP. Sam joined the CLLC in the summer of 2021, and is currently working on the Adult Language-Impairment team. In her free time, Sam enjoys cooking, dancing, and spending time with friends.

Kat Ross is a post-baccalaureate student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at Portland State University. She is currently applying to graduate programs for speech pathology and hopes to work in early intervention programs in the future. She has been volunteering in the CLLC as a research assistant since Fall 2018. She also volunteers as an outreach coordinator for the Equity Discussion Group (EDG) as well as a fundraising coordinator for the PSU branch of NSSLHA. In her free time, Kat enjoys cooking, hanging out with her cat, and hosting trivia nights. 

Crystal joined the Child Language Learning Center as a member of the preschool team in Winter 2022. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Portland State University. During her time as an undergraduate, she worked as a student teacher at Helen Gordon Child Development Center which led her into the field of early childhood education. She is currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate CSD certificate through the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department in preparation for applying to graduate programs for speech-language pathology. Outside of school, she enjoys theater, books, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

Helena joined the Child Language Learning Center in the Summer of 2020 as an undergraduate research assistant through the BUILD EXITO program. She is currently working towards a BA in Psychology, and is enrolled in Portland State Honors College. Her interests include cross-cultural communication, community outreach, and working with diverse populations to improve quality of life. She has worked as a Programming Assistant for Portland State University’s Multicultural Resource Center, a Resident Assistant within PSU’s Housing Department, and is a current BUILD EXITO scholar. In her free time, Helena enjoys writing novels and working on various craft projects

Allison is an undergraduate in the honors college at Portland State University and is currently pursuing a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She joined the CLLC in Spring of 2022 and is working on the Adult Language-Impairment team. She is interested in language development, cognition, and adult disorders. Her goal is to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering as an ESL tutor, playing tennis, and hiking.

Meridith joined the Children Language Learning Center after realizing the negative impact of deficit-based approaches in research. Prior to joining the lab as a first year MS-SLP student, she worked for national education programs through AmeriCorps and the Chilean Ministry of Education. With a BA in American Studies and Psychology from Kenyon College, Meridith applies a critical lens to her research interests in bilingualism, cross-cultural communication, and children’s literacy. Meredith is in her second year in the MS-SLP program at PSU. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing, reading about our educational system and connecting with future SLPs on social media. 

Diana joined the CLLC in Fall 2017 and became a member of the Bilingual team. After earning her B.A. in English Language Studies and Japanese Studies from the University of Melbourne, Diana worked as a public relations specialist for over 5 years. Diana’s interests in multilingualism and cross-cultural communication inspired her to pursue a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University, in preparation for graduation education in Speech-Language Pathology. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring places with her dog, singing, and cooking good food with family and friends.

Allison is a Speech and Hearing post-baccalaureate student. She received her B.A. at the University of Oregon and is continuing her education here at Portland State University. Allison joined the Preschool team in the Child Language Learning Center and became involved with the multiple tasks offered as a research assistant (eye-gaze coding, test administration, literature reviews, etc.). When she is not in the research lab she is running, hiking, brewing tea at Townshend’s Tea Shop, or enjoying scenic views of Oregon’s wine country. She plans on applying for graduate school this fall 2019.

Adele is currently a junior, pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at PSU. Adele's passion for the field has come from her experience as a Personal Support Worker and from her sister’s speech therapy at a young age. She started working for the CLLC in November 2018. She is currently working on the Adult Language-Impairment study and has enjoyed learning about research and conducting assessments. Adele also enjoys playing tennis, being with friends & family, and experiencing all that Portland has to offer!

Ryan is currently pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences at PSU. He returned to school in 2016 after being a waiter for all of his adult life and has a passion for service that translates well into the field of Speech Language Pathology. He is currently working on the Adult Language-Impairment team and enjoys the challenges this research avails. He is currently the Social Media and Outreach Coordinator at The Wellness Group for Voice, Speech and Swallowing. He enjoys singing with his choir, and volunteers at Cascade Aids Project in his spare time.

Rachel is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology at PSU. Her former career at Head Start working with bilingual families was where she developed an interest in language development. In her free time, you will find her on an outdoor adventure or in her garden.

Josie received her B.A. in Theater Arts from Beloit College and is currently pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She joined the Preschool team in the Child Language Learning Center after discovering her passion for helping children communicate.  Josie moved to Portland, Oregon from Minnesota in 2009 to pursue her love of music and the outdoors. In her spare time, Josie enjoys cooking, creating music, and spending time with her fiancé. 

Lauren is an undergraduate student in the Honors College at Portland State University. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with the goal to attend graduate school and become a Speech-Language Pathologist. She spent her first year out of high school volunteering at the Providence Skilled Nursing Facility for Medically Fragile Children and hopes to work in a similar environment in her future career. Lauren currently works in the Child Language Learning Center with the Preschool team. When she is not in the lab you can find her working as a Honors Writing Fellow for the Honors College and as a nanny. In her free time Lauren enjoys running, hiking, rock climbing, yoga, oil painting, and baking.

A Portland State University alumna, she holds degrees in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Psychology. Her research interest in language and its role in various social and community settings is in part inspired by her family. She joined the CLLC in August 2018 as a BUILD EXITO scholar and is working on the WIC study. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching various TV shows with her family, and learning to cook new dishes.

Jared graduated from the University of Rochester in 2013 with a B.A. in Linguistics and a B.A. in Chinese Language and Culture. After graduation, he moved to China where he worked for one year in a government HR department that helped flight attendants find jobs overseas. After that, he moved to the Czech Republic for two years, working as a private English teacher and copywriter. His love of people, languages, and his hometown of Portland eventually brought him to Portland State University with the hopes of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist, and he has been working in the CLLC since Fall 2018 as part of the bilingual team. Outside of school, Jared loves hiking with his dog, Molly, and cooking with his husband, Scott.

Aminah joined the Children Language Learning Center as a research assistant for the preschool team in July of 2018. A Portland State University alumna, she holds degrees in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Applied Linguistics. Prior to joining the research lab, Aminah was an educator, working with a nonprofit after-school program whose mission was to support healthy youth development. Her extensive work and volunteer experience in the education field have led to her interest in language learning in children. Aminah will be pursuing graduate studies next fall, and plans to be a pediatric Speech- Language pathologist. When she is not in the lab, she can be found planning her next trip, buying houseplants, volunteering in her community, catching sunsets, and spending time with her loved ones.