Lab Personnel

Dr. Brenda Beverly
Co-Director of APLL Lab

Brenda L. Beverly is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist and instructor in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department at the University of South Alabama where she teaches the undergraduate introductory courses on language and speech disorders as well as the graduate-level pediatric language and linguistics courses. Dr. Beverly also serves as an Editor-in-Chief with Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. Dr. Beverly holds a Bachelor of Science in Education in Communication Disorders, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, and a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science. 

Email: bbeverly@southalabama.edu

Dr. Victoria Henbest
Co-Director of APLL Lab

Victoria S. Henbest is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistant Professor in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department at the University of South Alabama where she teaches the undergraduate introductory courses on language and speech disorders as well as the graduate-level school-age language and literacy and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) courses. Dr. Henbest earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Missouri State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. Prior to earning her doctoral degree, Dr. Henbest worked for 5 years as a full-time clinician in a public-school early childhood setting with pre-school age children with speech, language, and literacy deficits including children on the autism spectrum, those with intellectual disabilities, and medically complex children. Since coming to the University of South Alabama in 2019, Dr. Henbest’s primary clinical service provision has been through clinical education in the University Speech and Hearing Center where she has supported graduate student clinicians with evaluation and intervention for school-age children with spoken and written language needs. Dr. Henbest’s primary research interests include word-level reading and spelling and the relation between linguistic awareness skills, particularly morphological awareness, and literacy development.

Email: vhenbest@southalabama.edu 

Sean Stalley
Ph.D. Student

Sean Stalley is a Ph.D. student pursuing a doctorate of philosophy degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in English Linguistics from Eastern Michigan University. Sean is currently performing research in the lab on child language acquisition.


Carson Kuhr
Graduate Student and APLL Lab Manager

Carson Kuhr is a first-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Education from the University of Mississippi. Carson serves as a graduate assistant and lab manager within the APLL Lab.

Abby Phillips
Graduate Student

Abby Phillips is a first-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Alabama. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of South Alabama. Abby serves as a graduate assistant within the APLL Lab.

"Play on Words" from the Lab 


"I'm boinging" - 2 yr.old grandson describing his bouncing behavior. -Dr. Brenda Beverly

"Slumpy" - combo of sleepy and grumpy proposed by my spouse to describe our 18 year old son  - Dr. Brenda Beverly

What do you call and alligator in a vest? An INVESTIGATOR! - Dr. Victoria Henbest

"belly jean" - Sean Stalley

"took a shower vs. shook a tower" - Yingshan Huang

"A pizza my heart belongs to learning about speech & hearing sciences." - Eshaun Wray

Lab Alumni

Dr. Lisa Ard

Dr. Keri Buck

Catherine Cureton

Olivia Dale

Alyssa M. Eadler

Dr. Julie Estis 

Dr. Lori Foran

Faith Frost

Emily Shelton

Elizabeth Wesson

De'Asia Jackson

Ashley Moss

Gina Mejia

Yingshan Huang

Julia Bruffey

Emma Townsend