Dr. Dutta
PhD, CCC-SLP
Lab Director
Dr. Manaswita Dutta (she/her/hers), is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. Dr. Dutta completed her doctoral research in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (minor: Neuroscience) at Indiana University. She teaches the graduate course on Cognitive Rehabilitation and supervises graduate students working with persons with aphasia in the Oregon Scottish Rite Speech and Hearing Clinic at PSU. Dr. Dutta's research interests include cognitive-linguistic assessments including spoken discourse outcomes in adults with aphasia, Alzheimer's Disease dementia, and other neurogenic communication disorders, telepractice assessment and rehabilitation, and multilingual assessment. She is the co-founder of FOQUSAphasia which aims to improve the state of spoken discourse in aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders.
Cristal Toscano
Lab Manager
Cristal Toscano (she/her/hers) serves as the Adult Language and Cognition lab manager and is a graduate student at Portland State University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Child and Family Development from San Diego State University. Her previous work has centered around child language development, disorders, and disparities, particularly within the context of cultural and linguistic diversity. Her research interest encompasses the comprehensive exploration of bilingualism across the lifespan, including its intricate role in cultural diversity, discourse, and in individuals with and without acquired communication disorders.
Natalia Ramirez
Graduate Student
Natalia Ramirez (she/her/hers) is a first-year graduate student at Portland State University. She is bilingual and has a bachelor's degree in speech, language, and hearing sciences. She has previous experiences working as a speech-language pathologist in Colombia with different populations and conditions across the lifespan. Her research interests are related to the adult population in subjects like aphasia, cognitive communication disorders, and swallowing. She enjoys hiking, trying new foods, and cuddling with her cat in her free time.
Lidiya Khoroshenkikh
Graduate Student
Lidiya Khoroshenkikh is a first year graduate student at Portland State University. She is a bilingual Russian-English speaker and got her Bachelors of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences Portland State University. She has an interest working with the pediatric population. She enjoys reading, cooking and hanging out with her friends and family.
Taaj Amar
Graduate Student
Taaj (she/her/hers) is a first-year graduate student in the medical concentration atPSU studying Speech-Language Pathology. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication Sciences and Disorders from California Baptist University (CBU),and has worked as a research assistant for CBU’s Department of Public Health the CDC Drug-Free Community Program. Her research focused on studying the efficacy of drug prevention programs for high schoolers in underserved areas. Her clinical interests lie in the medical aspect of speech pathology focusing on language, cognition, and swallowing disorders. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore new coffee shops.
Emme Herring
Graduate Student
Emme is a first-year grad student at Portland State University. She is bilingual with an interest in Acquired Brain Injuries. She has previous experience in the PSU Stuttering and Telepractice Research Lab with Dr. Megan McGill. Outside of school and research she loves to spend time with family and friends crafting, biking, and hanging out with pets
Chloe Baker
Graduate Student
Chloe Baker is a first year graduate student at Portland State University. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Northern Arizona University with a minor in Spanish. Her previous research projects in undergrad have centered around post concussion syndrome and its impact on social aspects in mTBI patients, as well as researching alternative medical devices for Trismus patients. Currently, her clinical interests are related to adult language disorders and cognitive communication disorders, as well as pediatric medical speech language pathology. She enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and live music with friends.
Kodi Kendrick
Undergraduate Research Assistant & Lab Media Coordinator
Kodi Kendrick (She/Her/Hers) is in her fourth year at Portland State University majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a certificate in Intercultural Competency in the Workplace. She is passionate about working with neonatal populations, particularly in swallowing and neurogenic communication disorders. When she isn’t in class or the lab you will find her doing newborn hearing screenings at OHSU, paddle boarding on the Columbia River, or curled up with a good book.
Bailey Thompson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Bailey Thompson is an Undergraduate student at Portland State University working on her Communication Science Disorders certificate to complement her Bachelor in Social Science. She is driven to serve adult populations with specific interests in Traumatic Brain Injuries and Dementia. When not in class or at the lab you can find her singing and dancing with kids as she leads tumbling and imaginative play classes.
Shelton Bowman
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shelton is a first year post-bacc student working to obtain her communication sciences and disorders certification. She is interested in working in pediatrics but is also interest in the effects of traumatic brain injuries on communication. When not in class, Shelton enjoys reading, crocheting, and spending time with her dog.
Past Lab Members
Thank you for your dedication and contributions
Nicolette Allers
Nicolette (Nicki) Allers (she/her/hers) is a second year graduate student at Portland State University's Speech Language Pathology program. She is one of the program leads in the Adult Language and Cognition Lab's Brain Injury Connections-Northwest Friends Program. Her clinical interests lie in the adult medical field, specifically in cognitive rehabilitation, dysphagia, and head and neck cancer. Her professional journey strives to focus on commitment to functional communication practices, cultural humility, and affirming the gender identities of her clients.
Suha Khan
Suha is a post baccalaureate student obtaining her communication science disorders certificate. With a bachelors in Kinesiology from Washington State University, Suha has always been into anatomy and how the mind and body work. After recovering from a lengthy reconstructive jaw surgery herself where she was wired shut for six weeks, she has especially been passionate about helping others with their speech from newborn to adult populations because she knows how significant speech and communication are for an individual. Her key passions include ice cream and fitness.
Amanda Corr
Amanda Corr (she/her/hers) is a second-year graduate student at Portland State University (PSU)'s Speech-Language Pathology program. She works in the Adult Language and Cognition Lab and is one of the program leads in the Brain Injury Connections-Northwest Friends Program. Her clinical interests lie in pediatric medical and educational settings, supporting children's speech and language development and social communication. Before she began her studies at PSU, Amanda worked as a licensed massage therapist for 22 years in the healthcare field. She is also a mom to a 6-year-old. Amanda is committed to helping to reduce social isolation for adults and children and is always working towards cultural competency.
Melissa Ugianskis
Melissa Ugianskis, MPH, is a graduate student and researcher in the field of acquired neurogenic communication disorders. In addition to her work as a graduate student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at Portland State University, Melissa has extensive experience as a public health researcher and consultant for preventive intervention services. While working toward her graduate degree, Melissa continues to be an advocate for lessening barriers to care within the Portland metro area and around the country. Her work in the ALC Lab focuses on the examination of coherence in latent aphasia.