Lab Members

Dr. Eileen Haebig

Eileen Haebig is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana State University and the director of the Language and Neurodevelopmental Trajectories Lab (Language NeT Lab). Prior to coming to LSU, she attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she competed her clinical degree in speech-language pathology and her Ph.D. in child language disorders in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Haebig then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Purdue University. Dr. Haebig’s research focuses on language learning in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her research has highlighted areas of overlap and distinction in language phenotypes across populations with neurodevelopmental disorders.

 

Jesica R. Sykes, Graduate Research Assistant 

Jes is a doctoral student in the Department of Communication Sciences. Jes completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics followed by a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Jes is unapologetically autistic and is passionate about using their experiences, evidence-based practices, and research to assist in changing systems for the better. Previously, they worked as an ASHA-certified, Distinguished Early Professional, and ACE – awarded speech-language pathologist across various settings including pediatric home health, outpatient clinical services, and a virtual magnet school. Current areas of service include treasurer for the Disability Caucus of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, research collaborator for Research on Autism Driven by Autistic Researchers (RADAR) and is an advisory member and ongoing consultant for Making Sense of Autism, LLC. Outside of academia Jes enjoys music, reading, writing, and befriending any animal she sees!

 

Fatema Mitu, Graduate Research Assistant

Fatema Akhter Mitu is a second year doctoral student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at LSU. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech & Language Therapy from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Before starting her Masters’ she worked as a clinical speech and language therapist for four and half years in a spinal cord rehabilitation hospital in Bangladesh. Then, she completed her master's degree at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Following her master's degree, Fatema worked as an SLT, training parents, special school teachers, and caregivers to promote communication skills and swallowing abilities in children and adults. Fatema is excited to study language learning in the Language NeT Lab.

 

Stan West, Graduate Research Assistant

Stan is a fourth-year graduate student in the Cognitive and Brain Sciences program at LSU. He completed his undergraduate degree at LSU and worked in an EEG lab working on projects related to non-verbal communication. He is currently working with Dr. Haebig and Dr. Cox from the ReLearn Lab to investigate the semantic organization of words in children on the autism spectrum. Stan wishes to continue his training in language processing and analysis in future projects. 

 

Briana Cairney, Graduate Research Assistant

Brianna is a PhD student in the Psychology Department, studying with Dr. Heather Lucas. Brianna also works in the Language NeT Lab with Dr. Haebig to examine how autistic adults learn and how they process gestures. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington and spent three years working in an autism research lab, conducting EEG/ERP and Eye Tracking experiments with children on the spectrum or who have an associated genetic event. She is broadly interested in identifying neural processes that relate to or influence learning and memory while continuing to use EEG/ERP and Eye Tracking methodologies.

 

 

Capprielle Priola, Graduate Research Assistant

Cappi is a master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at LSU. She completed her undergraduate degree at LSU majoring in COMD. Her research interests include the social applications of interpersonal communication focused interventions with individuals with ASD. Cappi is working on a master's thesis in the lab that will examine gesture-word association learning and metacognition in autistic and non-autistic adults.

 

Cristina Garcia, Graduate Research Assistant

Cristina is a graduate student who is in the Accelerated Master's program in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at LSU. Cristina completed her undergraduate degree at Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is a proud member of the National Student Speech and Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), Psi-Chi Honors Society in Psychology, and the National Success and Leadership Honor Society. Her interests range from working with children on the autism spectrum to pediatric feeding and swallowing. Cristina is extremely thankful and passionate to be working at the Language Net Lab as a researcher!

 

 

Naomi Tomiyama, Graduate Research Assistant

Naomi is a first-year graduate student who is in the Accelerated Master's program in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at LSU. In her Bachelor's program, Naomi majored in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minored in Social Work. Her research interests include speech acquisition and language learning in children with autism. After graduation, Naomi plans to attend graduate school for speech pathology and work in a hospital setting. 

 

 

Alyssa Schell, Graduate Research Assistant

Alyssa Schell is a first-year graduate student in Communication Sciences and Disorders program at LSU. She conducted an undergraduate research project that examined whether feedback improved learning following a short quiz activity. Her undergraduate project showed short-term benefits to receiving feedback and her project revealed that children can learn new words even with very little exposure and practice during an online Zoom word learning activity. Outside of the lab, Alyssa also works as technician at a local speech-language pathology clinic. 

 

 

 

Brigette Beningo, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Brigette Benigno is currently in her third year of studies in the Communication Sciences and Disorders undergraduate program at LSU. Her research interests include speech acquisition for those with neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically in children on the autism spectrum. She is also largely interested in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). After graduation, Brigette plans to further pursue her education through graduate school in speech pathology and to work with the pediatric population.

 

 

Courtney Barrett, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Courtney Barrett is an undergraduate sophomore at LSU studying Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is interested in researching early language acquisition in children with autism spectrum disorder. Outside of the lab, Courtney is a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and a speech technician at a local center for children with autism. After graduating from LSU, she plans to attend graduate school for Speech and Language Pathology and work with children in a clinic setting.

 

 

Lab Alumni

• Alex Hill
• Taylor Hale
  • graduate thesis conducted in the lab
• Caitlyn Karns
  • graduate thesis conducted in the lab
• Claire Bourgeois
  • graduate thesis conducted in the lab
• Nana Ama Agyeman
• Bailey Parent- Bordere
• Camille Daigle
• Lexi Wirth
• Emily Ruli
• Angelle Plauche'
• Katelyn Honore
• Jena Vizzini
  • undergraduate research project conducted in the lab
• Allison Herring
  • graduate thesis conducted in the lab
• Allison Menting
  • graduate thesis conducted in the lab