People

Director

Amanda (Mandy) Hampton Wray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders. She is a developmental cognitive neuroscientist who studies the development of neural systems that support and interact with language, including attention, in populations with typical language abilities as well as individuals with communication disorders. Her research uses incorporates behavioral and neurophysiological measures to evaluate neural processes that underlie language. Her research program is currently supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Prior to joining Pitt CSD, Dr. Hampton Wray was an assistant professor in Communicative Sciences & Disorders at Michigan State University. She earned her MS in Speech-Language Pathology and PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience at Purdue University and completed postdoctoral training in Psychology at the University of Oregon.

Post-Doctoral Associate

Ashley Parker, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Department of Communication Science and Disorders at University of Pittsburgh. She received her PhD in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2022, and prior to that earned a MA in Linguistics from Indiana University, and a BA in English/Secondary Education from Eastern Connecticut State University. Ashley’s research has focused on the development of biomarkers for hearing loss and auditory system health, particularly via the use of blood-based measures and electrophysiological tests in lab-, home-, and summer camp-based settings.

Doctoral Student

Erica Lescht, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at University of Pittsburgh. She received a B.A. and M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland. Her research interests focus on the development of, and relationships between, language processing and executive function in children with and without communication disorders, with a focus on children who stutter.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Brittany Coleman, M.S., CCC-SLP, joins the Brain Systems and Language Lab as a research speech-language pathologist. She will be working with Dr. Mandy Hampton Wray's collaborate team on a series of studies on speech and language processing in stuttering. Brittany completed her undergraduate and graduate degree at Duquesne University, and then spent the past 8 years working for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh where her specialty areas included stuttering, hearing/cochlear implants, multidisciplinary programming, language, and literacy. She resides here in Pittsburgh with her husband and two dogs.

Lab Manager

Abby Block, B.A., is the Lab Manager for the Brain Systems for Language Lab. She is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, where she majored in Communication Science and Disorders, minored in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and received a certificate in American Sign Language. She initially joined the lab as a research assistant Fall 2020 and is working as the Lab Manger during her gap year while applying to graduate school for Speech Language Pathology.

Research Assistants

Sara Worsham is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a degree in Communication Science and Disorders with minors in Linguistics and Education and a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She joined the lab in the Spring 2022 as a research assistant. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Maddie Fortunato is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursing a major in Communiation Science and Disorders with a minor in Linguistics and a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. She joined the lab in Fall 2022 as a research assistant. She is involved in the stuttering community as a sibling of an adult who stutters and is interested in stuttering research. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and obtain a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Marissa Alda is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Communication Science and Disorders with a Secondary Education Minor and a certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. After graduation, Marissa hopes to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and work in a setting with children. She joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to help and learn.

Hannah Neiderhiser is an undergraduate student majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Linguistics, as well a a focus on American Sign Language and Psychology. She hopes to attend graduate school for either Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology, and work with pediatric populations or in education.

Emily Blackburn graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh. She joined this lab because of her previous experience and interest in pediatric research as well as a desire to learn more about fluency disorders and their influence in the brain.

Gabriella Milano is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a major in Communication Science and Disorders with minors in Secondary Education, Linguistics, and Sociology. After graduation, Gabriella plans to attend graduate school to obtain her Master's in Speech-Language Pathology. She hopes to one day work with children in an educational or clinical setting.

Alison Alexis is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh planning to major in Communication Science and Disorders and minor in English Literature. She joined the lab in Spring 2023 as a research assistant. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in either Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology.

Ellie Waugaman is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a degree in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Secondary Education. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She hopes to work with children in the future.

Lara Yacykewych is an undergraduate student studying Communication Science and Disorders with an intended minor in Neuroscience. After graduation, she hopes to get her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. In her free time, she likes to be with friends, hike, read, and go to concerts.

Melina Gioia is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a dual major in Communication Science and Disorders and Psychology. She joined the lab in Spring 2023 as a research assistant. She enjoys spending time with children and is fascinated with the research behind speech and language disorders. She hopes to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and work with pediatric populations in a clinical setting in the future.

Allison Herrmann is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh pursing a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a concentration in Psychology. She joined the lab in Spring 2023 as a research assistant. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology in the near future and is interested in working with either children and/or adults in a clinical setting.

Maya Kang is an undergraduate student majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a concentration in Psychology with a Linguistics minor and Secondary Education minor. She joined the lab in the Summer of 2023 as a research assistant. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist and work with the pediatric population. She loves spending time with children and hopes to learn a lot from others in the lab.

Liz Scabilloni is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a Linguistics minor and a Disability Studies certificate. She joined the lab in Fall 2023 as an undergraduate research assistant. Liz hopes to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and wants to work with children and adults with cognitive disabilities.

Megan Kuhn is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh planning to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minor in secondary education. She joined the lab in Fall 2023 as a research assistant. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and is interested in working with kids in the future!

Maya Sperow is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a Linguistics minor and a concentration in Psychology. She joined the lab in Fall 2023 as an undergraduate research assistant. Maya hopes to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and wants to work with children in a clinical setting.

Abigale Morgan is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Communication Science and Disorders with a Secondary Education minor and a certificate in Children’s Literature. She is the Vice President of the Figure Skating Club at Pitt and loves to teach skating lessons to children. She joined the lab in Spring 2024 as a research assistant and plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and work with pediatric populations in the future.

Julia Young is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Ithaca College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She joined the lab in Spring 2024 as a research assistant due to her interest in fluency, including the neurological mechanisms underlying stuttering, as well as the lived experiences of people who stutter.

Grace Catania is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh studying Communication Science and Disorders with minors in Secondary Education and Creative Writing. She joined the lab in Spring 2024 as a research assistant and plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and work with children with developmental speech disorders.

Cara Yannuzzelli is an undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Linguistics and a concentration in Psychology. She joined the lab in Spring 2024 as an undergraduate research assistant. In the future, she wants to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology in hopes of working in a children’s hospital focusing on cognitive impairments.