Our Team

PhD Student

Anugraha Thorat

Anugraha Thorat is a PhD student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at LSU. She is interested in how people process language across different modalities, with a focus on reading difficulties and dyslexia. She has experience using methods such as EEG, eye-tracking to study language cognition. Outside the lab, she can usually be found turning lumps of clay into oddly charming creatures.

Email: anugraha.thorat@lsu.edu

Anna Broussard

Hi! My name is Anna Broussard and I am a senior at Louisiana State University majoring in Communication Disorders. I am actively involved in Greek life and serve as Treasurer of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA). My clinical experiences include working as a speech technician at The Emerge Center my sophomore year and volunteering at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital over winter breaks. I am especially interested in working with adults as well as pediatrics and plan to pursue a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology after graduation.

Email: abro449@lsu.edu

Callie Cody

Callie Cody is a sophomore 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 senior 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

Sophia Goenaga-Espinoza

Sophia Goenaga is a junior majoring in Communication Disorders with a minor in Psychology. She is from New Orleans, Louisiana, and plans to pursue her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology after graduation. Sophia aspires to work with individuals of all ages and hopes to own a private practice. She joined the PELICAN lab to explore research opportunities and gain hands on experience. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, working out, and traveling.

Email: sgoena1@lsu.edu

Ashley Hart

Ashley Hart is a junior 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 junior 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

Marissa Price

Marissa Price is a junior majoring in Communication Disorders with a minor in English. She joined the lab to gain hands-on experience and deepen her understanding of the field as she prepares for her future career. She is particularly interested in working with individuals navigating speech and language challenges due to neurological conditions, including aphasia. After graduation, Marissa hopes to pursue her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and especially her labradoodle, Loui.

Email: mpric53@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