Arielle Borovsky (PI)
Dr. Arielle Borovsky is an associate professor in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, with a courtesy appointment in Psychological Sciences. Dr. Borovsky uses a broad methodological arsenal to explore how humans learn language. Her work seeks to inform scientists, clinicians and educators about the cognitive, linguistic and experiential factors that can help all children learn to communicate and identify early language disorders. Her work appears in multiple scientific outlets and has been funded by the National Institutes of Health. She additionally engages with a diverse array of scientists, students and families in a variety of community and scientific venues.
Email: aborovsky@purdue.edu
Website: http://borovsky.net
Mine Muezzinoglu (Laboratory Coordinator)
I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020 with a double major in Neuroscience and French. During my time at Vanderbilt, I was involved in Music Cognition Lab as an undergraduate research assistant, investigating the relationship between music, language, and social development in infants and children with typical and atypical development. I completed a thesis project exploring social engagement during musical activities in preschoolers with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I am interested in the intersection of linguistics, social cognitive development, and neuroscience through the use of eye-tracking and EEG methodologies. I am very excited to join the LLAMA Lab team and explore the Lafayette area!
Email: mmuezzin@purdue.edu
Sabrina Horvath (Post-Doc)
I am a post-doctoral fellow in the Speech, Language and Hearing Science Department. I received my B.A. in history and linguistics from the College of William and Mary; my M.S. in speech, language and hearing sciences from UNC-Chapel Hill; and my Ph.D. in speech, language, and hearing sciences from Boston University. Between my master’s and doctorate, I worked as a speech-language pathologist for the Children’s Hospital of Richmond. My research focuses on how children learn the meanings of words. I am particularly interested in children’s verb vocabularies because verbs are so important for the subsequent development of grammar. I also explore possible differences in word-learning strategies between typically developing children and children with or at risk for language disorder, with the long-term goal of supporting earlier identification of and new treatments for preschoolers with language disorder.
Email: horvath7@purdue.edu
Justin Kueser (Graduate Student)
I'm a PhD student in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. I have studied linguistics and speech-language pathology and worked as a speech-language pathologist in the schools. My research interests focus on how children learn language -- I study children with typical language development and children who have difficulties learning their first language. My current projects involve verb learning, the effect of frequency and predictability on language production, and other factors important in early word learning and grammatical development.
Email: jkueser@purdue.edu
Michelle Indarjit (Graduate Student)
I am a PhD fellow primarily researching first language comprehension and production in children. I am particularly interested in research core, conceptual representations of prepositions and the use of eye-tracking methodologies.
Email: mindarji@purdue.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Maria Bushman
I am a freshman at Purdue studying Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences! I have worked with kids since I began working, either as a summer camp counselor at YMCA Camp Ernst or my most recent job as a Nanny for three adorable kids! Once I finish my undergrad I plan on going to get my Master's degree in attempts to become an ASHA Certified Speech Pathologist with dreams of working in the NICU.
Rita Deitz
I’m from Richmond, Indiana. I’m a sophomore in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences minoring in Psychology. This is my first semester in the LLaMa lab, so I’m really excited to learn more about language development and help with research in this area. My ultimate goal is to become a speech pathologist working with both children and adults in a medical setting. In my free time I love traveling, doing crafty DIY projects, or just spending time with friends and family.
Hannah Guy
I am a sophomore studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in Psychology, Spanish and Human Development and Family Studies. This will be my first semester in the LLaMA lab and I am so excited to learn more about research and language acquisition! I’ve always loved working and volunteering with children and am excited to do so in the LLaMA lab and in my future career as a speech language pathologist. In my free time, I love reading, running and watching movies with friends.
Candace Jarzombek
I am a junior double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Brain and Behavioral Sciences. I have been a part of the LLaMA Lab since January 2018, and I have loved interacting with all of the families that come in! I look forward to getting my PhD in Speech and Language Sciences and doing research of my own in the future. Some of my interests include volunteering at the Hartford Hub in Lafayette, crocheting, and spending time with friends.
Caitlin Jelensky
I’m from Orange, California. I am a junior studying Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences. I began working in the LLaMA Lab in the Summer of 2020. I realized that I have a passion for working with children, and I am very interested in child language development. In my free time, I love to volunteer and spend time with my friends and family. In the future, I aspire to be a Speech Pathologist and work with children with disabilities.
Jaelyn Kelly
I’m from Atlanta, Georgia. I am currently a junior double majoring in Anthropology and Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics. I'm interested in learning about culture, languages, and the various other subjects that contribute to communication barriers. I started working in LLAMA Lab in the Summer of 2019 and have loved being able to be part of a research team! My ultimate goal is to become a speech pathologist, but until then I enjoy spending my free time doing DIY projects, traveling, and spending time with my family & friends.
MaryKate Lindenman
I am a freshman majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I joined the LLaMA Lab in January of 2020 and I am excited to meet participants and families that will be a part of the lab! In the future I hope to become an SLP. Some of my interests include working with special needs children through volunteer opportunities, relaxing and watching movies with friends, and spending time with my family.
Grace Lovell
I'm a sophomore studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology here at Purdue! I'm from Evansville, Indiana and this is my second semester here in the LLAMA Lab. I love working with kids and I have a passion for American Sign Language, playing the saxophone, reading, and volunteering! I'm currently working on my Honors Thesis Project here in the lab and I'm so excited to learn more about language development through this project!
Sarah Nicholas Cruz
I am a sophomore studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and I recently traveled abroad for a minor in Spanish. I am from the suburbs of Chicago, and I enjoy working with kids and spending time with family and friends. In the future, I hope to become a speech pathologist and work with children and their families in their language acquisition. Languages and how we acquire them has always been fascinating to me, and working in the LLaMA Lab, I have learned a lot about how we learn language and hope to learn more as I continue!
Aris Peh
I am a junior studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics & Sociology. I am from Singapore! I enjoy working with children and aspire to work with them in the future, especially reaching out to those with special needs. In my free time, I like reading and spending time with people. Over time, I hope to learn more about the different stages of language development/acquisition, and apply what I learned to create a positive impact in our society!
Maya Radjenovich
I am currently a freshman studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences here and Purdue. I hope to become an SLP working in pediatrics in the future. I am also receiving a certificate of acting, and in my free time, enjoy being apart of plays, musicals, and working for Magic, Music, and More Chicago as a Princess Party Performer! I have a love and special spot in my heart for children, and I only hope I can use my love of words and their impact to strengthen the communication skills of others.
Madeline Rotundo
I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am currently a sophomore majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics and Human Development. My dream job would be to work as speech pathologist in a clinical setting, preferably with children with speech-sound disorders. When I’m not in class, studying, or in the lab, you can find me on any comfortable chair around campus with a book in hand. I am very excited to gain experience in the LLaMA Lab and meet new people along the way!
Bethany Schuster
I am from La Porte, Indiana. I am a sophomore in Speech, Language, and Hearing sciences minoring in psychology. This is my first semester in the LLaMA lab, and I am very excited to get to work. I have always had a passion for working with children so I’m excited to see how this research experience will aid me in my future career as an SLP. In my free time I love to golf, shop, and spend time with friends and family.”
Kendall Shoemaker
I’m a sophomore studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in both psychology and human development and family sciences here at Purdue! I’m from Greenwood, Indiana. I’m excited for all the knowledge I will gain as a research assistant in the Llama Lab. In the future, I hope to go to graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist and work with children everyday. In my free time I enjoy swimming, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Kennedy Skipper
I’m a sophomore from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am majoring in Speech, Language and hearing Sciences and hope to minor in American Sign Language. This is my first semester working in the LLAMA Lab and I am super excited! I hope to one day become a medical speech pathologist. In my free time I love to draw and paint as well as volunteering around Lafayette and spending time with friends and family.
Kailyn Smith
I am a sophomore studying speech language and hearing science with a double minor in psychology and human development and family studies. I joined the LLaMA Lab in January of 2020. I love learning how children acquire language and working with children and families. I also enjoy spending time with friend and family, playing sand volleyball, painting, and volunteering. In the future, I aspire to be a pediatric speech language pathologist working in either a clinic or school setting.
Elizabeth Spindler
I’m from Haubstadt, Indiana. This is my second year studying Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences with a minor in Spanish. For as long as I can remember I’ve loved working with kids, and I can’t wait to gain this new perspective of research through the LLaMA Lab! In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, getting crafty, and relaxing with a cup of coffee. In the future I plan to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and help children in the school system.
Allicia Wilfong
I am currently a junior here at Purdue. I am majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a double minor in Human Development and Psychology. I began working in the LLaMA Lab in Fall 2019 after finding a strong interest in child language development. I love working with children and am looking forward to the opportunities that working as a research assistant will bring me. After I graduate, I plan to get my masters and begin my career as a Speech Language Pathologist. Outside of school, I enjoy boating, crafting, and spending time with my friends.
Lab Alumni
Graduate students
Ryan Peters (PhD, 2019), Postdoctoral Scholar, Cognitive Science, Indiana University
Angele Yazbec (PhD, 2019) - Data Scientist, Evergreen Solutions.
Julie (Carranza) Madden (PhD, 2019) - Assistant professor, Psychology, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Lab Managers
Kat Chia, graduate student (PhD), Florida State University
Chris Cole, graduate student (PhD), DePaul University
Nicky Hopkins, graduate student (MSW) at Universty of Central Florida
Virginia Prestwood, graduate student (MS) Texas State University
Undergraduate thesis students
Edda Rodriguez, graduate student (MPH), Florida State University
Megan Foley, graduate student, (PsyD) University of Hartford
Juan Ospina, graduate student (PhD), Ohio State University
Emanuel Boutzoukas, graduate student (PhD), University of Florida
Undergraduate research assistants
*want to be included here? Send an email to Arielle - she'd love to hear from you!
