LAB MEMBERS

Dr. Castro is an Assistant Professor in the Communicative Disorders and Sciences Department at the University at Buffalo. She received a Dual-Title Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and Gerontology from the University of Kansas. She completed two postdoctoral fellowships: one at the Georgia Institute of Technology (NIH/NIA T32 in Cognitive Aging) and one at the University of Washington (NIH/NIDCD F32 in Aphasia). 

Nichol is from Southern California, but through her studies has lived in four time zones (California, Colorado, Kansas, Georgia, Washington, and New York). In her free time, she loves being outdoors and enjoys camping, hiking, trail running, and rock climbing.  

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Allison (Alli) is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University at Buffalo. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Education from UB. She is passionate about advocacy and community engagement, with a strong focus on improving communication access for individuals of all ages. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys traveling, shopping, and watching the Buffalo Bills 

Hailey is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University at Buffalo. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Health and Human Services from UB. Her research interests include bilingual/multilingual service delivery and diversity in the field of communicative disorders and sciences. After completing her Master's, she hopes to work in an acute care setting specializing in dysphagia or voice disorders. She also hopes to serve Spanish-speaking communities. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. 

Rendia is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University at Buffalo. She earned her B.A. in Anthropology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Informed by her background in cultural studies and lived experiences, Rendia’s research explores systemic inequities within SLP graduate education and their impact on health disparities in clinical practice. She is dedicated to bridging research, education, and community advocacy to advance equity and make the field more inclusive and representative of the communities it serves. Outside of her academic pursuits, Rendia enjoys cake decorating, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and international travel.

Gabi is a second-year graduate student in the Speech-language Pathology program at the University at Buffalo. She attended Gannon University where she obtained her B.S in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor is Psychology. She has a passion for working with adults specifically in feeding, swallowing and neurogenic speech disorders. After she get her master's, she hopes to work in an acute care setting and eventually open her own practice. In her free time she enjoys working out, reading, and making jewelry.  

Yuchen Wang is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University at Buffalo. She studied Cognitive Science with a focus on language at Vassar College, where she developed a strong interest in the multilingual speakers' language experience. She is excited to explore topics such as language acquisition and word retrieval, and is passionate about working with multilingual communities in the future. In her free time, Yuchen enjoys painting, making desserts, and building Legos.

Kiara is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University at Buffalo. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in American Sign Language from UB. She is involved in the Comprehensive Aphasia Program, bridging clinical experience with current research to help advance knowledge and practices in the field of aphasia. Outside of the lab and clinic, she enjoys long walks, cuddling with her dogs, and exploring new restaurants and coffee shops.

Kennedy is a junior at the University at Buffalo majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Health and Human Services with a concentration in Social Gerontology. She is still exploring her interests, but she feels a strong pull towards becoming an SLP working with adults impacted by neurogenic diseases, traumatic brain injuries, as well as stroke patient recovery. Within research she is interested in using her second degree to look at how these populations navigate systems and how said systems could be improved. In her free time Kennedy enjoys yoga, cooking, going to concerts, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. 

Mia is a junior majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University at Buffalo. She is interested in working with adults affected by neurogenic disorders and is excited to learn more about the field. Later on, she hopes to pursue a career in speech-language pathology and get more involved with research. In her free time, Mia enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family.  

Allison is a senior at the University at Buffalo, majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences. When she began college, she was interested in becoming an elementary school-based Speech Language Pathologist, but over the last year, she’s been drawn to working with adults. She’s specifically interested in working with adults with neurogenic speech disorders and those who have had strokes. She hopes to continue at UB for her graduate program. In her free time, she enjoys reading, taking her dog on walks, and spending time with family and friends.