TEAM  MEMBERS

Dr. Bruna Mussoi, Au.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lab Director

I earned a B.A. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, in 2004, and an M.A. in Audiology from the University of Iowa, in 2006. After working as a clinical Audiologist in Brazil, I returned to the University of Iowa to pursue my Ph.D. and Au.D. During this time, I gained extensive experience in auditory electrophysiology and behavioral testing of cochlear implant users, hearing aid users, and normal-hearing listeners. In the Hearing and Aging Lab, I combine my passion for working with older adults and cochlear implant users with my past clinical and research experience in Audiology / Hearing Science. I joined the Speech Pathology and Audiology Program at Kent State University in August 2017.

CURRENT LAB MEMBERS

A'Diva Warren, B.S., Graduate Research Assistant

I am from Euclid, Ohio. It’s a smaller city in Cuyahoga County. I graduated from Villa Angela St. Joseph High School in 2019 and from Kent State University in 2022 with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology. I am interested in audiology because there is never a boring day in this field. It is a career that provides the opportunity to work with people of all ages throughout the lifetime and it involves an amazing combination of technology, counseling, and problem solving. I enjoy working in the Hearing and Aging Lab because I am always learning something new and growing as a future clinician. 

Currently a second year Au.D. student in the Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium. 

Mia Bartoli, Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am from Zanesville, Ohio and graduated from Tri-Valley High School. Whilst in high school I attended Zane State College and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Arts as well as one in Science. I am now a senior at Kent State University pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology. I am the current President for Kent State’s Chapter of Student Academy of Audiology. I wish to pursue a future career as an Audiologist to spread awareness to those impacted by hearing loss. I grew up volunteering at local nursing homes and taking ASL classes, and it is there where I gathered a passion for Deaf and heard-of-hearing awareness and the geriatric community.

Ellenor Buchanan, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Hi! I am from Lebanon, Ohio, and I graduated from Lebanon High School in 2022 and am a current Kent State University student working on a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology, with a minor in American Sign Language. I became interested in the field after my brother lost the hearing in his right ear and I watched him work with Audiologists. I’m excited to be working in the Hearing and Aging lab and I hope to further my education and eventually work with people with hearing loss.

Currently an undergrad Speech Pathology and Audiology student in her second year.

Riley Burke, Undergraduate Research Assistant

I am a senior undergraduate student majoring in Speech Pathology & Audiology and minoring in Vocal Music Performance. I am from Youngstown, Ohio, and I graduated from Ursuline High School in 2020. I will obtain my Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University this December, and I am hoping to begin my graduate education with the goal of becoming an audiologist in August of 2024. I currently serve as the President of Kent State's National Student Speech Language and Hearing Assocation (NSSLHA) chapter and Marketing Director for Student Advocates Supporting Singing (SASS). I play bass and sing in a rock band which sparked my interest in audiology, and in the future, I hope to help fellow musicians prevent and intervene for noise-induced hearing loss.


FORMER LAB MEMBERS

Michelle Mattingly, Au.D.

I grew up in Strongsville, OH and graduated from Strongsville High School in 2009. For college, I attended Kent State University where I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, graduating in December 2012. I worked as an animal technician at the Cleveland Clinic for about two years before finding a research job at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (Neomed). Then, I worked in an auditory neuroscience lab for several years, and it's there that I discovered an interest in the hearing sciences.

Currently a practicing clinical Audiologist.

Kaitlyn Mazzola, Au.D.

I am from Middleburg Heights, Ohio, which is a suburb of Cleveland. I graduated from Berea-Midpark High School in 2014. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a minor in Psychology from Kent State University in December 2018. I decided to pursue Audiology as my future career from my involvement in the Deaf community and my love for the geriatric community. I have been a member of the Hearing and Aging Lab during my undergraduate and graduate studies. 

Currently a practicing clinical Audiologist.

Jamie Ekstrom, Graduate Research Assistant 

I am from Parma, Ohio. I graduated from Parma Senior High School in 2016. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology with minors in Psychology and Disability and Inclusion Studies in 2019. I am currently completing my externship at Sounds of Life in Concord Township, where I will continue to work as an Audiologist when I graduate with my Au.D. in May 2024! I got into audiology because I was fascinated by hearing aid technology and how it could improve people's quality of life. Currently, I really enjoy helping patients with tinnitus and working with cochlear implants.

Currently a 4th year Au.D. student.

Caitlyn Menolasino, Graduate Research Assistant 

I am from Hudson, Ohio and graduated from Hudson High School in 2017. I then attended the College of Wooster and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2021. Growing up, my father was a physician, and my mother was a teacher. I chose to pursue audiology as a career because it combined aspects of both of my parents’ jobs that I was interested in while also allowing me to carve my own path forward. Working in the Hearing and Aging Lab during my graduate studies gave me a better understanding of the impact that hearing loss can have on individuals as they age, which has allowed me to better educate and counsel older patients on their hearing loss and the potential impact it may have.  

Currently a 3rd year Au.D. student.

Elizabeth Hoene, Undergraduate Research Assistant 

I am originally from Bryan, Ohio, home of the Spangler Candy Company with its famous Dum Dums suckers. I graduated from Bryan High School in 2016, and from Kent State University in 2020 with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology and minors in Psychology and Gerontology. My interest in audiology stemmed from the fact that I have been hard-of-hearing my entire life, and was born with sensorineural hearing loss. I find a passion with this major, as I relate to it on such a personal level, and I am grateful to be working in the Hearing and Aging Lab since it's start, as this is a great opportunity to learn and get hands-on experience in the field. 

Currently a 4th year Au.D. student. 

Lara Bott, Undergraduate Research Assistant 

Hi! I am from Saint Louis, Michigan. I graduated from Saint Louis High School in 2017, and from Kent State University in 2020, majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology, with a minor in Psychology. I became interested in the field after growing up with a boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In the future, I hope to further my education and work with those who have hearing loss! 

Currently a 4th year Au.D. student.

Evan Baker, Undergraduate Research Assistant 

Hello! I am from Canton, Ohio, the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and McKinley High school Bulldogs, where I graduated in 2016. I graduated from Kent State University with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2020. My interest in Audiology has developed from my love of music; I hope to combine my passions and make the music world a safer place for our ears! The research we’re doing in our lab has made a great impact on my educational success and future career choices!

Grace Longwell, Undergraduate Research Assistant 

I am from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, 25 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. I graduated from Hampton High School in 2019, and from Kent State University in 2022 majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology and minors in Psychology and Disability Studies/Community Inclusion. I became interested in the field through my interest in the Deaf community and my passion of working with children. I am very thankful for the hands-on experience that I received in the Hearing and Aging Lab, and I am eager to be continuing my education at Northeast Ohio AuD Consortium.

Currently a 1st year Au.D. student.  

Not pictured