LAB MEMBERS
Principal Investigator
Marie Channell, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Channell's research focuses on the development of language, cognition, and social-emotional skills in individuals with Down syndrome or other neurodevelopmental disorders associated with intellectual disability (e.g., fragile X syndrome; autism spectrum disorder), particularly during middle childhood and adolescence. Her questions are framed by how skills in these domains work together to influence everyday communication in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Channell earned her PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2012. Following her PhD, she spent 3 years as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of California, Davis MIND Institute, where she received interdisciplinary training in the Autism Research Training Program (NRSA T32, NIMH). She joined the faculty of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2015.
Current Lab Members
Alexandria Barkhimer, M.A.
PhD Student
Alexandria (Alex) Barkhimer is a doctoral student in Speech and Hearing Science. She graduated with research distinction and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies from The Ohio State University in 2019. Alex’s research interests focus on supporting young adults with Down syndrome as they transition from school to post-high school. In the future, she hopes to conduct her own research and teach at a university level.
Rebekah Bosley, M.S. CCC-SLP
PhD Student
Rebekah Bosley is a doctoral student in Speech and Hearing Science. She holds a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Mississippi and is licensed to practice speech-language pathology. Rebekah’s research interests include literacy development in children with intellectual disabilities. After graduation, her goals include opening a research-based clinic for children with developmental disabilities and teaching at the university level.
Megan Alajoki
Graduate Student (MA SLP)
Megan is a graduate student in Speech and Hearing Science. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science with a certificate in Disability Studies from the University of Iowa in 2024. Megan is interested in working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, as well as adults with various speech and language disorders. After completing her master's degree, she plans to work as a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Liz Gremer
Graduate Student (MA SLP)
Liz is a graduate student in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She completed her bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign in May 2024. Liz is interested in working clinically with individuals who have dysarthria, aphasia, as well as individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. After completing her master's degree, she plans to work as a licensed speech language pathologist.
Abigail Keasler
Graduate Student (MA SLP)
Abigail (Abbie) is a graduate student in Speech and Hearing Science. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Disability Studies from the University of Illinois. Abigail's clinical interests include language and cognition, with a particular interest in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as stroke survivors. After completing graduate school, she plans to work as a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Lauren Oh
Graduate Student (MA SLP)
Lauren is a graduate student in Speech and Hearing Science. She earned her bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northwestern University in 2022. She is interested in working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities, as well as working with bilingual families. After completing her master's degree, she plans to work as a speech-language pathologist in a school setting.
Sophie Campa
Undergraduate Student
Sophie is a senior studying Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Disability Studies. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to become a licensed speech-language pathologist. In the future, she hopes to work with children, potentially in a hospital or clinical setting. She has a special interest working with individuals who have been affected by strokes, seizures, cancer, or post-traumatic injuries to help treat a wide range of speech, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
Alexandra Carbajal
Undergraduate Student
Alexandra is a junior studying Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Spanish. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school for speech-language pathology. She aspires to become a licensed bilingual speech-language pathologist. She has a special interest in working with bilingual children or individuals with intellectual disabilities in the school setting.
Elise King
Undergraduate Student
Elise is a freshman studying Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Child Health and Well-being. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school to become a licensed speech-language pathologist. In the future, she hopes to work in pediatrics at either a hospital or a therapy clinic
Jessica Krklus
Undergraduate Student
Jessica is a freshman studying Community Health with a special interest Speech and Hearing Sciences. After completing her undergraduate degree, she intends to attend graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist. She is interested in working in a school setting with children who have language disorders or intellectual disabilities.
Corrie Penrod
Undergraduate Student
Corrie is a senior studying Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Disability Studies. She plans to attend graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist. She is interested in working with adults and children with disabilities and adults with language disorders and post-traumatic injuries.
Karissa Zimmerman
Undergraduate Student
Karissa is a freshman studying Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Psychology. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to attend graduate school with the goal of becoming a licensed speech-language pathologist. She is interested in working with children, likely in the school setting, to facilitate language development and help treat speech and language disorders
Lab Graduates
Melissa Hauptman
MA-SLP, CFY
Lauren Kim
MA-SLP, CFY
Emma Mueller
MA-SLP Student at the University of Iowa
Margo Tschetter (Lanier)
MA-SLP, CFY
Sarah Pechtl
MA-SLP Student at Illinois State University
Madison Barrera
MA-SLP Student at New York University
Alexa Mendoza
MA-SLP Student at the University of Illinois
Ashley Yun
B.S. in Community Health
Melissa Bruce
MA-SLP Student at the University of Iowa
Kelsey Libert
MA-SLP Student at the University of Iowa
Nadia Hernandez
MA-SLP Student at the University of Illinois
Raquelle Riffle
B.S. in Speech and Hearing Science
Christiana Allen
MA-SLP Student at the University of Illinois
Linnea Sandstrom
MA-SLP, CCC
Stephanie Cheng
MA-SLP, CCC
Amanda Moy
MA-SLP, CCC
Steffi Bauer
MA-SLP, CCC
Katrina Blum
MA-SLP, CCC
Addie Howe
MA-SLP, CCC
Emily Stratton
MSW
Caitlyn Boni
MA-SLP, CCC
Lauren Siragusa
MA-SLP, CCC
Emily Filotto (Demick)
MA-SLP, CCC
Teresa Levering (Kubiak)
MA-SLP, CCC
Melissa Cashin (Pietrowicz)
MA-SLP, CCC
Taylor Hoffman
MA-SLP, CCC
Jennifer Goodfriend
MSN, Pediatric RN
Allison Rush
MA-SLP, CCC
Katie Schuelke
MA-SLP, CCC
Shealyn Ashby
MA-SLP, CCC