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
Elise Barnett
Born and raised in New Orleans, Elise moved to Baton Rouge to join the Tiger family. After graduating from LSU, Elise began teaching at Brownfields Elementary, where she worked with both special needs students and those with typical speech issues. Her experiences in the classroom inspired her to return to LSU to pursue a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She joined the PELICAN Lab to gain hands-on experience understanding how the brain processes language, and how neurodegenerative conditions, like strokes, impact this process. When not in school and working in the lab, Elise works part time at Brownfields doing interventions to bridge gaps in learning.
Email: ebarn42@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
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
Charles Tramonte
Charles Tramonte is a sophomore and Communication Sciences and Disorders major from Baton Rouge. He joined the PELICAN lab to gain experience for graduate school as a future career in research. In his free time, he enjoys reading very long fantasy novels.
Email: ctramo3@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
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