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
Claney Outzen (Project Coordinator)
I am a recent graduate of the University of West Florida with a major in Psychology and a minor in Statistics. I split my time between two child development labs at UWF where I explored environmental contexts of the development of preschoolers' self-regulation as well as the influence of socioeconomic status on young children's language development. I am interested in a future in School Psychology with a focus on intervention and prevention in the school system of developmental and learning disorders through community, school, and home collaboration. I am excited to join the LLaMA Lab and to keep learning!
Email: voutzen@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 first-year PhD fellow asking the following: "How do sensorimotor experiences contribute to conceptual knowledge and language learning? What is the developmental trajectory for typically developing and clinical populations, and how can the modification of these experiences better assist one's learning environment?" Outside the lab, I enjoy being a non-skating official for roller derby bouts and scrimmages. Fun fact: I was the LLaMA Lab's first lab manager!
Email: mindarji@purdue.edu
Mariel Schroeder (Graduate Student)
Mariel is a combined MS-SLP and PhD graduate student interested in child language development. She is particularly interested in syntax and morphology and the early assessment and treatment of developmental language delay. She attended the University of Notre Dame (BA Mandarin) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (MA TESL) and worked at Washington University in St. Louis developing optical neuroimaging techniques for use across the lifespan.
Email: schro132@purdue.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Kaitlyn Arvin
My name is Kaitlyn, and I am currently a sophomore at Purdue studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Critical Disabilities. I just recently joined the LLaMA Lab, and although I am fairly new to the world of research, I am very excited to learn more about how children develop language. I am currently interested in understanding how a child’s environment affects their language development. I have always loved working with children, so I am very excited to expand my knowledge through getting to be a part of the LLaMA Lab. I am from a small suburb of Indianapolis, and in my spare time, I love to cook, craft, and watch movies. In the future, I would like to become a certified SLP and work with children in a medical setting.
Maria Bushman
I'm a sophomore at Purdue studying Speech Language Hearing Sciences. I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio. The majority of jobs I have held throughout my high school and college career have all been related to children somehow, from a nanny the past two summers, a camp counselor and a lifeguard at a summer camp, so I was so excited to get a research position within the LLaMA lab. As of right now, I'm interested in researching how the brain acquires language because it is such a difficult process that kids seem to acquire almost seamlessly. In the future I would like to work in a neonatal unit and teach premature babies how to swallow!
Kathleen Cory
I'm a sophomore at Purdue studying Brain & Behavioral Sciences and Biology with a minor in Spanish. I'm excited to start working with the LLaMA Lab in Spring 2021 because I'm interested in the neuroscience behind language acquisition, and I enjoy working with children. In the future, I hope to go to medical school. I am currently leaning towards pediatrics or a pediatric specialty because I'd like to work with kids in my career. In addition to biology, neuroscience, and medicine, I also love reading and horseback riding. I can't wait to meet new people and learn more about language development in the LLaMA Lab!
Joseph Cox
I’m a Junior from Dallas, Texas studying Biomedical Engineering and Math here at Purdue. I began working in the LLaMA lab in the Spring of 2020, and I am fascinated by everything about human development. One day, I hope to use technology to gain a better understanding of how the human brain develops and learns new tasks. Once I get my Bachelor’s, I plan on heading into a PhD program to further study neurobiology and psychology. In my spare time, you can find me building LEGOs, drawing, making my own video games, and cheering on our Purdue basketball team!
Rita Deitz
My name is Rita, and I am a junior here at Purdue studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. I joined the LLaMA Lab in January of 2020. I am interested in how the differences in a child’s development and upbringing can affect their acquisition of language, as well as the neuroscience behind that. I’m from Richmond, IN, and in my spare time I like to spend time with family, listen to true crime podcasts, and go to my job where I work as a nature class instructor for kids at an arboretum! In the future, I want to work as a certified speech pathologist in a medical setting with both kids and adults.
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.
Ann Marie Krolczyk
My name is Ann Marie and I am from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I am a junior studying Neurobiology and Physiology with a minor in psychology. I aspire to become a pediatric neurologist. Therefore, I love working with children, and I'm interested in understanding child cognitive development. My research interests include language disorders and how children's brains change rapidly and adapt as they learn to communicate. This will be my first semester in the LLaMA lab, and I am very excited to grow with my knowledge in SLHS and further apply my neuroscience background. In my free time, I love running, hiking, kayaking, crafting, and spending time with my family and friends!
Salsabila Lane
I am from Surabaya, Indonesia but have lived in 5 different countries throughout my life! I’m a Junior studying Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. I’m interested in learning about how culture, more specifically how multilingualism, plays a role in a child’s language development. In my free time I love to spend time outdoors, journal, meditate, and spend quality time with the people I love. In the future, I hope to become an SLP and bring back my experience and knowledge to my home country where there is a lack of education regarding speech and language!
MaryKate Lindenman
I am a sophomore at Purdue University 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 continue working to find more information about language development as a whole. I am interested in development of skills and language specifically for those who have critical disabilities, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through working in the LLaMA Lab, I hope that I can learn more about development of language for all types of individuals and how that effects our daily lives.
Kirsten Omholt
My name is Kirsten, and I am from Dallas, Texas! I am a sophomore studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. This will be my first semester in the LLaMA lab, and I am very excited to pursue my research interests of how children’s experiences and surroundings help them acquire language and other skills. In the future I hope to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and work with typically and atypically developing children. In my free time I love running, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
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
Hello! My name is Bethany, and I am from La Porte, Indiana. I am a junior studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in psychology and human development and family studies. This is my second semester working in the lab, and I am very excited to continue working on our project! My research interests include social levels of play, prenatal and early childhood development, and neurogenic communication disorders such as aphasia. I am very excited to continue my learning experience in the LLaMA Lab and see how the knowledge I gain 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 Junior 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. This is my second semester in the LLaMA lab. In the future, I hope to go to graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist. I have developed an interest in the birth to three age range. Specifically, toddlers that have a language delay. I’m also interested in working with newborn babies that have trouble swallowing. In my free time I enjoy swimming, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Kennedy Skipper
I’m a junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Linguistics and Psychology. This is my second semester here in the lab. I am interested in learning more about language development and the different mistakes that children make while learning how to communicate verbally. When I’m not studying or doing research in the lab, I enjoy reading a good book, painting, and watching my favorite TV shows.
Kailyn Smith
I am a junior studying speech language and hearing science with a minor in psychology and human development and family studies, and possibly a third minor in learning science. I am particularly interested in how children acquire language, cognitive development, as well as how different areas of the brain work together to produce and remember speech typically and atypically. I hope to be a pediatric speech pathologist after graduate school. I also started working as direct support professional to gain experience in the field and hope to use research and personal experience in my future career. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, painting, playing volleyball, and volunteering.
Emma Swansburg
Hi everyone! My name is Emma Swansburg, and I’m a junior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. I’m from a small town pretty far from here called Mansfield, Massachusetts. This is my first year in the LLaMA lab, and I’m very excited to be working on a verb features project! In addition to being a research assistant, I am also involved in my service fraternity and NSSLHA. Some of my favorite things to do in my free time are hanging out with my family and friends, listening to music, and traveling!
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
Candace Jarzombek, graduate student (MPH), Boston University
Grace Lovell, graduate student (MS-SLP), Purdue University
Sarah Nicolas-Cruz, graduate student (MS-SLP), Purdue University
Undergraduate research assistants
*want to be included here? Send an email to Arielle - she'd love to hear from you!
