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.
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
Risa Stiegler (Research Staff)
I graduated in 2021 from Carleton College with a major in Linguistics and a minor in Classics. At Carleton, I worked on the Dakota Language Project, researching the morphology and syntax of Dakota by working with Treasured Elders (native Dakota speakers) to preserve its linguistic features and help pass it on to the next generation of Dakota speakers. I wrote my senior comprehensive thesis on the syntax of wh-questions (who, what, where?) in Dakota and the presence of intervention effects in wh-in-situ questions. I also worked on the syntax of languages like Somali and Ancient Greek. I am interested in child language development and what it can teach us about how our minds interact with language structures. I love being a part of the LLaMA Lab and working with families to learn more about language!
Email: rstiegle@purdue.edu
MaryCarson Adams (Research Staff)
I am a recent graduate from the University of South Florida with majors in both Psychology and Communication Science & Disorders. During my studies at USF, I worked as a Behavioral Therapist Assistant in a childhood development clinic for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While working at the clinic, I completed required clinical hours with a team of speech pathologists and became a ASHA certified Speech Pathologist Assistant. Working as an C-SLPA, I became increasingly interested in the advantages and disadvantages of common practices used in therapy and how research can positively influence the revision and modernization of our current practices. I hope to continue to grow in my career in language development research and work to contribute to the betterment of children’s language acquisition. I am very excited to have joined the LLaMa lab!
Email: mgadams@purdue.edu
Justin Kueser (Post-doctoral Scholar)
I'm a post-doctoral researcher 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
Amanda Yuile (Post-doctoral Scholar)
I am a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Before coming to Purdue, I earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a M.Sc. in Psychology from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. In my research I explore how children learn language -- In a few short years children learn thousands of words and a productive language system that allows them to produce and comprehend sentences that they’ve never heard before. One challenge children face in learning all of this is to link words with their real-world referents. For example, how do children learn who ‘he’ is or what a new word ‘dax’ means? My research explores how children learn to make these links in real-time as sentences unfold.
Email: ayuile@purdue.edu
Michelle Erskine (Post-doctoral Scholar)
I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. I received my Ph.D. at the University of Maryland-College Park and have worked in a variety of educational and hospital settings as a speech-language pathologist in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Maryland. I am deeply interested in learning about how children attend to and use social group categories to support learning in real-time. My current research engages sociolinguistic perspectives to understand how different social and linguistic properties of speakers influence children's ability to learn new words.
Email: merskine@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
Barbara Brown (Research Associate & SLP)
I am a speech-language pathologist with extensive clinical experience working with toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children in a variety of settings. I have also served as the project coordinator or research associate for several NIH-funded grants awarded to Purdue faculty. I have enjoyed my role as a Clinical Supervisor for graduate students in Purdue’s MS-SLP program as well as that of Clinical Instructor. Of particular interest to me is the potential to develop clinical tools to improve early identification of children at risk for communication disorders, and the possibility of earlier and more effective interventions for these children. I feel fortunate to be part of the LLaMa Lab team!
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Olivia Battaglia
My name is Olivia Battaglia! I am from Michigan and am a junior in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies! This is my second semester in the lab. After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school to become an SLP. I have interest in a lot of different aspects of the field, and I always look forward to learning more! In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and staying active with different workout classes!
Kathleen Cory
I’m a senior at Purdue studying Biology. I’ve been a member of the LLaMA lab since Spring 2021, and this will be my fifth semester as a Research Assistant. I joined the lab because I am interested in the neuroscience behind language acquisition. I love working with children, and throughout my time at Purdue, I have worked as a camp counselor, as well as an RA with the SLHS Department’s Summer Fun program. It’s been absolutely wonderful to meet so many people and work with families in the lab over the years! After graduation, I plan to apply to Physician Assistant programs.
Ellen Densmore
Hello! My name is Ellen and I am from Zionsville, IN. I am a sophomore with majors in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Spanish. I am minoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. This is my first semester in the LLaMA Lab, and I am so excited to begin researching! I am interested in pediatric language development, as well as learning about language delays and disorders in people all across the lifespan. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and reading.
Katelyn Decker
I am a sophomore at Purdue University studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in Human Development and Family Sciences as well as Critical Disabilities. I joined the LLaMA Lab in January of 2023 and I am excited to learn more about how children develop language through the research in the lab! In my future, I hope to go to graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist and be a pediatric speech therapist. I cannot wait to work in the LLaMA Lab and for all that I will learn about language development in children!
Glorianna Gutwein
I am a junior at Purdue studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in Linguistics and Spanish. I grew up overseas in North India so I love different languages, ethnic foods (especially Indian!), cultures, and peoples. I enjoy working with kids which is why the LLaMA Lab first caught my eye. I just joined the LLaMA Lab recently, and I am excited to learn more about research in this area, specifically about how children develop language and make the word-meaning connection in their minds. In the future, I would love to become an SLP and work with kids in the school setting. In my free time, I love playing guitar, painting and creating, dancing, baking, and reading.
Julia Jackson
My name is Julia Jackson and I am from Centreville, Maryland. I am a junior studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. This is my first semester working in the lab and I am very excited to join the team and help continue the great work that is being done. After my time here at Purdue I plan to attend grad school and then work as a Speech-Language Pathologist. I like to spend my free time reading, watching tv, and spending time with friends.
MaryKate Lindenman
I am a senior at Purdue University majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, with minors in Human Development & Family Studies as well as Critical Disability Studies. I joined the LLaMA Lab in January of 2020 and I am excited to begin my last/seventh semester in the lab before I head to graduate school for Speech Pathology. I really enjoy working with fellow lab members to discover information about language development and similar topics.
Vivian Lee
Hello! I am Vivian Lee, an international student from Taiwan! I am a senior at Purdue University under Honors College double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and Brain and Behavioral Sciences with two minors in Human Development and Family Studies, and Human Resource Management. I joined the LLaMA Lab in May of 2022. I am interested in working with children and learning how language skills have developed in different stages, especially for children with disabilities or in different language backgrounds. Therefore, I am also working in another education-related research lab that helps me to explore more experiences and knowledge that children would have been through. Moreover, I am in a 4+1 accelerated master's degree program in Applied Behavior Analysis. I am looking forward to applying what I have learned in different fields to my dream career in education.
Sarah Lopez
I'm Sarah! I am a sophomore studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with minors in French, English, and Critical Disability Studies. I am from Fishers, Indiana, and this is my first semester here in the lab. Being someone who has grown up bilingual, I have always been interested in language acquisition. Through this research I hope to better understand how children from varying backgrounds or who may have developmental disorders acquire and comprehend language. In the future, I plan on obtaining my Masters in Speech Pathology and becoming a Pediatric SLP. During my free time, I love to draw, write, and cook. I am looking forward to gaining experience and meeting new people in the LLaMA Lab!
Hana Mahmoud
Hello! My name is Hana and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Health Sciences in addition to pursuing a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I thoroughly enjoy working with children and have developed a hobby of tutoring young kids in various subjects including English, Math, and Nutrition. I am excited to utilize the skills and knowledge I have acquired from my past tutoring work and combine it with LLaMA Lab research to fully understand the language learning process for young toddlers. In the future, I plan on pursuing a career in medicine in the pediatric department and am hoping to use the skills I have gained from the LLaMA Lab within that field. In my free time, I enjoy going on long walks, shopping, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Molly Pfunder
Hello!! I am a Junior from Noblesville, Indiana studying both Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Biomedical Health Science. I joined the LLaMA Lab in January 2022, and I am very happy to be here! My future career plans are undecided, but I'm fascinated by linguistics and language acquisition. I play the flute in Purdue concert bands, and I also enjoy drawing, cross-stitching, and watching cheesy movies with friends.
Sam Stuart
I’m a junior at Purdue studying biology, with a minor in philosophy and psychology, and I’m from the suburbs of Chicago. I’m excited to begin researching with the LLaMA Lab particularly because I’m interested in linguistics, especially the biological origins of language and language acquisition. In the future, I hope to go to medical school, with a particular interest in oncology/ endocrinology. In my free time I enjoy distance running, playing chess, and learning jiu jitsu.
Tori Tuell
I am a sophomore double majoring in Brain & Behavioral Sciences and Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences. I joined the LLaMA Lab because I am interested in the way that the brain and other systems work together in early childhood in order for children to develop language skills. I've found it's really important to understand how these processes typically work in order to recognize when and why delays occur. In my free time I enjoy reading, drawing, and watching movies with friends.
Lab Alumni
Post-doctoral students
Sabrina Horvath (PhD, CCC-SLP, 2021), Assistant Professor, Medical University of South Carolina
Graduate students
Justin Kueser (PhD, 2021), Postdoctoral Scholar, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University
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
Mine Muezzinoglu, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science graduate student (PhD), University of Maryland
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!
