Our Team

Lab Director

Willem S. van Boxtel, PhD, AFHEA

Dr Willem van Boxtel is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Louisiana State University. He is interested in sentence processing across the adult lifespan and in acquired neurogenic communication disorders such as aphasia. He also takes a more broad interest in language processing, including in different languages and populations. He works with fine-grained measures such as electroencephalography (EEG) and eye-tracking, and takes a keen interest in applying experimental research methods online. He enjoys working with complex statistical models and analysis techniques, and has been known to get over-excited at bright graph colors.

Dr Van Boxtel hails from the Netherlands and spent several years in the UK (PhD, University of Essex, 2022) and Indiana (postdoctoral fellowship, Purdue University) before coming to LSU. His accent is consequently pretty confused.

• Email: wvboxtel@lsu.edu
• Phone: +1 (225) 578-7600

Undergraduate Students

Emma Briggs Emma Briggs is a Sophomore majoring in Communication Disorders and double minoring in Linguistics and Psychology from Bossier City, Louisiana. After graduation, she plans to pursue her master's degree in Speech Language Pathology. Emma joined the PELICAN lab to gain hands-on experience of conducting research and collaborating with fellow lab members to further her knowledge and understanding of cognition and speech functions in the brain. Emma is also a member of The LSU Tiger Band.  Email: ebrigg9@lsu.edu
Callie Cody Callie Cody is a freshman and is majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has joined the PELICAN lab in order to gain insight into working with adults with neurocognitive disorders. As well, she hopes to use this experience to help prepare and develop useful skills for graduate school and a career in speech pathology. Callie is from Watson, LA and enjoys playing board games with friends and family in her free time.  Email: ccody3@lsu.edu
Allie Folse Allie Folse is a junior majoring in Communication Disorders. She is from Gonzales, Louisiana. After graduation, she plans on applying to a Master's Program and obtaining a Masters in Speech Language Pathology. As someone very interested in speech and language disorders, especially aphasia, she joined the lab to broaden her knowledge on this topic. Allie also hopes to gain valuable experiences for her future career.  In her free time, Allie enjoys spending time with family and friends, helping others, and being outdoors. Email: afols21@lsu.edu
Zoey Gautreau Zoey Gautreau is majoring in Communication Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) and joined the lab to learn more about aphasia and to gain hands-on experience with lab work. She is from Gonzales, LA, and an interesting fact about her is that she has hearing aids! When she graduates, she is excited to connect with and help others who do, as well. Email: zgautr2@lsu.edu
Ashley Hart Ashley Hart is a sophomore majoring in Communication Disorders. She joined the lab to gain valuable experience and better prepare herself for a career in this field. She is particularly interested in working with adults, especially those who are navigating speech and language challenges due to aging or neurological conditions. In her free time, Ashley enjoys going to Pilates classes and playing pickleball. Email: ahart39@lsu.edu
Ally Miller Ally Miller is an undergraduate student double majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Communication Studies. She hopes to pursue her Masters in Speech Language Pathology after graduation. Ally joined the PELICAN lab to gain research experience and explore her interests in adult-centered speech therapy, specifically with aphasia or neurocognitive disorders.  She is from Houston, Texas, though the majority of her family is from the New Orleans area. In her free time, Ally enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, and spending time with friends and family. Email: amil339@lsu.edu
Alexia Tilkins Lexi Tilkins is a Sophomore majoring in Communication Disorders with a minor in Biology. She is from Rochester, New York, originally. Her goal is to work with Veterans as an acute care Speech Language Pathologist in the future. She is excited to gain hands-on experience in the lab, specifically with research into Aphasia. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, photography, and spending time with friends! Email: atilki1@lsu.edu
Victoria Walker Victoria Walker joined the PELICAN lab to expand her knowledge of cognition and EEGs. She is eager to get hands-on experience and learn a new side of a field she is very excited to work in. She is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is a Communication Disorders Major. She is also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha at LSU. Email: vwalk15@lsu.edu

 

Lab Alumni

The PELICAN Lab is extremely grateful to our wonderful alumni: Elise Barnett, Charles Tramonte.

 

The PELICAN Lab in Spring 2025 (from left to right, upper row: Willem van Boxtel, Zoey Gautreau, Ashley Hart,
Victoria Walker; bottom row: Emma Briggs, Allie Folse, Callie Cody, Ally Miller)

 

The PELICAN Lab in Fall 2024 (from left-to-right: Ashley Hart, Ally Miller, Elise Barnett, Zoey Gautreau,
Victoria Walker, Charles Tramonte, Willem van Boxtel)