Alumni

Katie Daugherty

Katie Daugherty (she/her) is a second year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at George Washington University. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2018 with a degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science. Katie hopes to work with younger children and nonspeaking autistic individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as a speech-language pathologist in the future. Outside of school, Katie enjoys cooking, going on walks, and spending time with friends.

Phoebe Jeng

Phoebe Jeng graduated from GW in 2022 with a double major in Psychology and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a minor in Mind-Brain Studies. She plans on attending graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and hopes to work in a hospital setting with adults that have suffered from strokes. Phoebe was also the president of GW NSSLHA and a part of the Neuroscience of Language Lab. For fun, she enjoys finding new places to eat and spending time with friends.

Alex Job Said

Alex Job Said graduated (May 2021) from GWU with a Neuroscience major and minors in Biology and Psychology. Alex's work focuses on brain development, particularly in the autism spectrum. He is also very interested in understanding the impacts of executive function, motor skills and language in this spectrum. For his work on "Autistic Traits and the Aging Brain", he was awarded the Society for Neuroscience Trainee Professional Development Award and the GWU Sigelman Undergraduate Research Enhancement (SURE) Award. Alex works at Boston Children's Hospital as a Clinical Research Assistant, with his research focusing on early identification of autism in toddlers. When he has time, Alex enjoys horseback riding, playing soccer, hiking & enjoying nature, and volunteering.

Emily Richard

Emily Richard graduated from GWU in May 2017 as a psychology major with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience, with special honors in her major and as a member of the University Honors Program. Originally from Plymouth, MA, she was a part of the New England Conservatory youth program as a violinist prior to coming to GW. She has performed professionally, and enjoys working with her young students. Emily is especially interested in the role of neurological structure and connectivity in developmental psychopathology, including autism and eating disorders in children and adolescents. Emily is currently at George Mason University pursing a PhD in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience.

Cynthia Peng

In Cynthia Peng's time as the inaugural lab manager for the Laboratory of Autism and Developmental Neuroscience, she made theonion.com the second most visited website on the lab computers (after PubMed, of course). In the lab, Cynthia worked on anatomical MRI and structural covariance projects. In a previous life, Cynthia attended Carnegie Mellon for undergrad and worked as a postbac fellow at the NIH. In a future life, she hopes to become a physician and is currently attending medical school at Brown. Cynthia has broad interests in neuroaesthetics, medical humanities, and visual and auditory cognition. When time permits, she enjoys music, figure skating, photography, and reading the Onion like it's a SurfStat manual.

Colin Weiss

Colin Weiss was a research assistant who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from GW, and specializes in data gathering and literature reviews. His preferred topics of interest include the neurology of autism and how differences in function both within the spectrum and outside of it come to exist. Prior to working at LADN, Colin worked at the consulting firm ICF International, where he helped build the Self-Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse, a major research database informing matters of family self-sufficiency.  He has also aided the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) in preparing their Guide to Safety, part of their "Life's Journey through Autism" series of informational guides.

Lora Lewis

Lora Lewis is a rising second year at GWU (class of 2026), with a major in Neuroscience and minors in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and History. She plans on attending medical school after undergrad in hopes of becoming a pediatric neurologist. Lora currently works as a caregiver to nursing home patients in assisted living and memory care programs, and provides 1:1 assistance for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in community activities. She is interested in researching the correlation between eating habits and a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as researching genetic conditions that affect brain development in the future.

Kyleigh Graham

Kyleigh is a first-year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at George Washington University. She graduated from Penn State University in 2020 with a major in Advertising/Public Relations and minors in Spanish and Digital Media Analytics. She completed GW’s Speech-Language Pathology Post-Baccalaureate program in May 2023. Her research interests include ASD in girls and women and sensory processing for those with ASD. Outside of school, Kyleigh enjoys yoga, reading, creative writing, and travel. 

Neha Ahmed

Neha Ahmed is a senior majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience with a minor in STEM Teaching and Mind & Brain Studies. They are a recipient of the 2022 - 2023 Luther Rice Fellowship award and are currently working on a research paper cataloging race and ethnicity reporting practices in Autism literature. After graduation, they plan to attend graduate school to continue learning about neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. In their free time, Neha enjoys binge-watching TV shows, finding new boba shops with friends, and playing with their cat Archie.

Amrita Grewal

Amrita Grewal completed her master’s thesis (Does Disgust Contribute to Picky Eating in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder?) under the direction of Dr. Wallace. She earned a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from The George Washington University in 2023. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire (2021) and a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (2016). Amrita will start working at Children’s National Hospital as a clinical fellow in July 2023. Her interests include traveling, cooking, listening to live music, and exploring the outdoors.

Darya Khodadoust

Darya Khodadoust is a second year graduate student in speech-language pathology program at GW. She graduated from James Madison University in 2021 with a degree in Communications Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Special Education non-teaching. After graduate school, she hopes to work with the pediatric population, as well as verbal and nonverbal autistic individuals. Her hobbies include reading, going on walks, playing board games, and hanging out with friends.

Waleed Qaddumi

Waleed Qaddumi graduated from GWU in 2023 with a major in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology. He works as a Postbaccalaureate IRTA Fellow at the National Institute of Health and a medical scribe in the Emergency Department at Virginia Hospital Center. He was the co-founder and vice president of the Autism Research Club at GWU, which aims to foster an inclusive community for students on the spectrum through awareness, education, and fundraising. In the future, he plans on going to medical school and incorporating his research skills to advance the practice of medical care. He is interested in further exploring research areas related to autism spectrum disorders, surgical critical care, neurodevelopmental disorders, and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, he enjoys listening to music, writing, gardening, and traveling in his free time. 

Jenna Do

Jenna Do (she/her) is a first year undergraduate student studying Biological Anthropology at The George Washington University. Her career aspirations are to go to medical school and eventually specialize in either neurology or pediatrics. Jenna also has a passion for teaching Taekwondo, and she especially enjoys leading her students into improving their mentality and techniques while seeing their fulfillment throughout their arduous martial arts journey.

Sean Duane

Sean Duane (he/him) graduated from GW with a major in psychology. His interests align with the intersection between eating/feeding-related difficulties and ADHD/cognitive challenges related to autism spectrum disorders. In his free time, Sean enjoys reading science fiction, cooking, and exercising. He plans to take time off from research after graduating to work.

Cate Nathan

Cate Nathan is a second year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at George Washington University. She graduated from James Madison University in 2021 with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has a special interest in older autistic adults and is completing an independent study to learn more on the topic. Outside of the lab, Cate likes to read fiction novels, go skiing, and listen to Taylor Swift.

Charlotte Gaynor

Charlotte Gaynor recently graduated GW studying Neuroscience, Math, and STEM Education. Her post graduation plans are still unclear but she’s hoping to pursue a graduate degree and go into academia. She’s interested in studying language in kids with autism. In her free time she enjoys rock climbing and spending time with friends.

Sophia Chan

Sophia Chan is a senior at GW majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, with a concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and a minor in STEM Education. She has had experience teaching young children within the D.C. community as well as serving the elderly. Sophia plans to attend graduate school and work in the hospital setting in the future. She is also the Vice President of GW NSSLHA. During her free time, Sophia enjoys painting, watching movies, and spending time with friends/family.

Lauren Sadowski

Lauren Sadowski is a senior at GW double-majoring in Psychology and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has been working with children and young adults with developmental disorders since high school, and has an interest in improving employment rates in adults with autism. Lauren enjoys snowboarding, cooking, and going to museums in D.C., and hopes to eventually go to graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology.

Kayla Larmore

Kayla Larmore is a senior studying speech, language and hearing sciences and looking to attend graduate school for speech pathology. She is from Delaware, and enjoys spending time on the river and boating. Kayla has spent the past few summers working as a paraprofessional at a school for children with ASD.

Lauren Williamson

Hi, I'm Lauren Williamson. I am getting my Masters in Speech Language Pathology. I really enjoy working with children and adults with disabilities.  In my free time, I like to do yoga, go hiking, and drink a lot of tea.

Jessica DeFreeuw

Jessica DeFreeuw, M.A, CF-SLP is a 2021 graduate of the George Washington University. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist in outpatient rehab at Sentara Reid Therapy Center in Prince William County, Virginia and she works with adults with speech, language, swallowing, voice, and cognitive goals. She and her husband, Jonathan, live in Alexandria, VA with their spoiled kitties, Newt and Sweet Potato. In her free time, she enjoys exercise, bubble baths, reading young adult fiction, and volunteering.

Justine Gendy

Justine Gendy is a senior from New Jersey majoring in psychology. She is hoping to attend graduate school to pursue a career in mental health counseling and is also interested in working with children and young adults specifically. In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring new places in DC, and spending time with friends.

Kesi Cania

Kesi Cania recently graduated from GW with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Psychology. In the near future, she plans on attending graduate school to earn her Masters in Speech Language Pathology. This summer, Kesi is working in an elementary school as a paraprofessional in their special education program. She works with a non-verbal autistic student who uses an AAC device as his primary mode of communication. A fun fact about Kesi is that she lives in Connecticut, but was born in Albania.

Emilia Gorecki

Emilia Gorecki is a senior at GW majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a minor in Spanish. She plans on attending graduate school for Speech Language Pathology and hopes to work in a medical setting with adults that have suffered traumatic brain injuries. For fun, she enjoys yoga, hiking, baking and reading books.

Lea Ives

Lea Ives is a senior at GWU, majoring in cognitive neuroscience. She hopes to work in a post-baccalaureate program and then to attend graduate school for clinical psychology or neuroscience. She is not sure yet which career path she wants to pursue, but she has interests or traumatic brain injury and neurodevelopmental disorders. Lea’s hobbies are cooking, spending time with friends, and watching Lost.

Sindhu Chennupati

Sindhu Chennupati graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with an honors degree in Communication Science and Disorders and minors in linguistics and Spanish. She graduated in the MA-SLP program at GWU. In her free time, she likes to bake and read books!

Genesis Falizola

Genesis Felizola graduated from Syracuse University in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is originally from Miami, Florida, and currently resides in Washington, D.C. and has completed her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology at The George Washington University. She enjoys watching crime documentaries, going to Cuban coffee shops, attending free fitness classes, and spending time with family and friends. Her interests include children with autism, bilingualism, cultural competence, disability studies, and communication disorders.

Alexandra Rainsdon

Alexandra Rainsdon graduated from Brigham Young University in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders and a minor in Linguistics. She recently graduated from her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology at GWU. She has experience working with a wide range of disabilities through her work as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. She is interested in working with individuals with autism and adults with traumatic brain injuries. In her spare time, she can be found reading books, perusing museums, and attending musical and theatrical performances.

Mikaela Stine

Mikaela Stine graduated from the George Washington University majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist. Mikaela has had experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a Behavioral Interventionist. In her free time, Mikaela likes to read, watch and discuss movies, do puzzles, and exercise.

Briana Pinto

Briana Pinto graduated from the George Washington University with a BA in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literature, and Culture. She hopes to attend graduate school after undergrad to become a medical speech pathologist. In her free time, Briana likes to travel, try out new restaurants, and read at the beach.

Julia Fisher

Julia Fisher is currently a senior at the George Washington University, majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and double-minoring in Fine Arts and Mind-Brain Studies. She is a member of the sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi on campus, and if she’s not too busy you’ll either find her in a museum or a coffee shop with friends. Born and raised in Manhattan, Julia is always trying to find a way put her passion to work, whether it’s teaching children with learning disabilities at her local Hebrew school or working at summer camps for children only with IEP’s. In the real world (after graduate school) Julia hopes to be working as a speech pathologist, helping children of all kinds! Her goal is to one day run a summer camp for children with special needs… but first, let’s focus on graduating college!

Anastasia Mancini

Anastasia Mancini graduated from The George Washington University with a major in Speech, Hearing & Language Sciences and minoring in Psychology.  She hopes to attend a master's program in Speech-Language Pathology following graduation.  When Anastasia is not focusing on her studies, she can be found on the beach, petting dogs, and eating, usually all at the same time.

Hannah Zikra- Hagemeier

Hannah Zikria-Hagemeier is an undergraduate at GWU studying neuroscience and psychology concentrating in cognitive neuroscience and minoring in mind-brain studies.  She has been working for GW MFA as a medical scribe and has previously done research in the brain and cognition lab and in the clinical setting.  She is in Phi Alpha Delta, has been on the rugby and karate teams, and has had multiple e-board positions in student organizations.  Her research interests include developmental neuroscience, neuroimaging, molecular neuroscience, computational neuroscience, neuroimmunology, translational and clinical neuroscience.  In her free time she enjoys playing and watching sports, spending time with friends and family and traveling.

Nathalia Beller

Nathalia Beller is a fourth-year undergraduate at the George Washington University majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience and minoring in Human Anatomy and in Chinese Language and Literature. Originally from Brazil, where she has worked with Autistic children as well, she is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English, and hopes to become a surgeon in the future. In her free time, she loves watching movies with her friends, listening to music and shopping. 

Monica Nadeau

Monica Nadeau graduated from GW studying neuroscience.  Her research interests include: autism, eating disorders, and decision making.  She hopes to continue her education in a doctoral program in Cognitive Neuroscience after graduation.  Monica is a chair for Phi Sigma Pi, the national honor fraternity on campus, and in her free time, she enjoys writing in her bullet journal, watching Friends, and performing in GW's annual production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Lexie Wolff

Lexie Wolff graduated from the George Washington University majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Psychology. She hopes to become a Speech-Language Pathologist after completing her education. In her free time, Lexie enjoys musical theatre, community service, and petting dogs.

Pearl Kravets

Pearl Kravets graduated from the George Washington University majoring in Psychology. She is originally from West Windsor, New Jersey. She is currently rating MRI scan quality for a study correlating gyrification indexes with behavioral survey results. She is interested in working with children and adolescents with Autism. In her free time, she enjoys writing, watching Community,and cooking with her friends. She mostly only knows how to make pasta, but it’s still a good time.

Katie Pokorny

Katy Pokorny graduated from the George Washington University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She has had other research experience with children and their learning habits and with family relationships in relation to coparenting. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and spending time with her friends.

Chioma Aneke

Chioma Aneke graduated from The George Washington University in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She is originally from Washington, D.C., and enjoys writing poetry and performing spoken word poetry, playing basketball, volunteering, babysitting and spending time with family and friends. Her interests include children with autism, behavioral and mental health, orthomolecular medicine and health policy on a national and international level.

Daisy Getz

Daisy Getz graduated from the George Washington University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She has held multiple positions supporting children on the spectrum and is extremely passionate about finding ways to foster inclusion of all children. In her free time, she enjoys watching Criminal Minds, eating Ben&Jerry's, and blasting showtunes. Mostly all at the same time.

Yuval Levin

Yuval Levin graduated from the George Washington University majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She has held multiple positions working with children with Autism and Down syndrome. In her free time she enjoys painting and cooking.

Jenn Adelizzi

Jenn Adelizzi graduated from the George Washington University in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program. She is originally from Ardmore, PA and graduated from Saint Joseph's University in 2016. She is interested in working with adolescents with autism. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, watching movies, and reading.

Alex Johnson

Alex Johnson graduated from the George Washington University in the Speech-Language Pathology Program. She is from Mount Laurel, NJ and graduated from the University of Delaware in May 2016. She has previously worked with children with Autism and behavioral disabilities. Alex is interested in pursuing a career with children. She enjoys binge watching television shows, spending time with friends, and traveling

Megan Lewis

Megan Lewis was a graduate student at George Washington University in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program. She is originally from Fort Wayne, IN and graduated from Ball State University in 2013. She is the graduate assistant to Dr. Greg Wallace. She is interested in aphasia, language and cognitive deficits of TBIs, and communicative functioning in neurodegenerative diseases. She enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and being outdoors.

Esha Mehta

Esha Mehta graduated from the George Washington University in 2017 with degrees in Public Health and Psychology. She is originally from upstate New York, and enjoys running, practicing yoga, attempting to cook, and traveling in her free time. She spent Fall of 2015 studying abroad in Thailand. She is also a recipient of the Luther Rice Undergraduate Research Fellowship, which funded her research on changes in cortical thickness in individuals with ASD. Esha matriculated into  the School of Medicine at GW as part of the Class of 2021.

Caylynn Yao

Caylynn Yao graduated from the George Washington University in 2017 with a major in psychology with a cognitive neuroscience concentration and music minor. Her research interests span several areas, including brain structures as they relate to clinical disorders and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with music. She has analyzed brain scans within different constructs in the lab. Also a self-proclaimed globetrotter, she enjoys surfing, hiking, photography, concerts, and macarons in her free time. Caylynn also matriculated into  the School of Medicine at GW as part of the Class of 2021.

Yusif Ziyazade

Yusif Ziyazade graduated in 2016, majoring in Biology, minoring in Psychology at the George Washington University. His interests include psychiatry, abnormal psychology, linguistics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, multilingualism and the brain. In his spare time, Yusif enjoys photography, image/video editing and post production, soccer, movies, travel, languages.

Liz Dlugi

Liz Dlugi graduated in 2017 from the George Washington University, majoring in psychology and minoring in mind-brain studies. She began a Masters program at the University of Maryland - College Park in Fall 2017. She is originally from Chester, New Jersey. Liz is extremely passionate about clinical psychology, and hopes to one day work with children with autism and adolescents with depression and anxiety. She conducted a research project pertaining to the psychology of religion and spirituality. Liz enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring different ethnic cuisines in her free time.

Lizzie Pollastri

Lizzie Pollastri received her M.A. degree in speech-language pathology at GWU in 2017. She is from Bolton, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston University in 2014, majoring in speech and hearing sciences. Lizzie conducted a literature review on selective eating behaviors for Dr. Wallace, which will be used for an upcoming study on the topic. Outside of school, she enjoys jogging, hiking, baking and traveling.

Anna Schnizler

Anna Schnizler received her masters in Speech-Language Pathology from George Washington University in 2017. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S.Ed. in Speech-Language Pathology and Psychology in 2014, then returned to her hometown of Richmond, Virginia and worked as a paraprofessional for a year before returning to school. Her research focused on the selective eating habits of children and adolescents with ASD. She now works as a Speech-Language Pathologist at The Learning Center, a special education program with KIPP DC public charter schools. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and going to concerts.

Bhairvi Trivedi

Bhairvi Trivedi received her M.A. in the Speech-Language Pathology program at GW in 2017, and graduated from GW in 2015 with a bachelor’s in Speech & Hearing Sciences. In fall 2017 she began a Ph.D. program at the University of Georgia. Her research interests include social cognition, behavior, and parental/environmental factors that affect development in atypical and typical individuals. In the lab she conducted research in structural brain development and behavioral correlates in Autism and typically developing individuals using MRI scans. She enjoys music, reading, drawing, and digital media editing.

Shreya Chaturvedi

Shreya Chaturvedi graduated in 2016 from the George Washington University, double majoring in Speech and Hearing Science and Psychology. Here interests emphasized the biological, neurological and cognitive underpinnings of human communication, chiefly in clinical populations with Aphasia, Autism and Speech – Sound Disorders. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, running and reading. Shreya is attending Boston University, pursuing a joint masters in Speech Pathology as well as a PhD in the area.

Laura Crouse

Laura Crouse graduated in 2016 from George Washington University majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences with concentrations in Speech-Language Pathology and Language and Culture, as well as a minor in Public Health. Her research interests included social cognition, language acquisition, autism, and educational interventions in speech-language disorders. She is originally from Rhode Island and enjoys reading, volunteering and hiking.

Mandee Kulaga Parker

Mandee Kulaga Parker completed her master’s thesis (Exaggerated Rhythm and Intonation Foster Receptive Language in School-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder) under the direction of Dr. Wallace in the Lab of Autism and Developmental Neuroscience. She earned her M.A. from the George Washington University in 2015, and her B.F.A. from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where she majored in Theatre and English & American Literature. Mandee currently works at Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic in Redmond, Washington as a clinical fellow. Burgeoning specialties and interests include: music and language, voice disorders, dysphagia and other laryngeal dysfunction (including head and neck cancer); and cognitive-linguistic deficits and disorders. In her free time, Mandee enjoys running, hiking, singing, skiing, and reading.

Emily Brodsky

Emily Brodsky pursued her masters in Speech-Language Pathology at the George Washington University. She graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a concentration in Speech-Language Pathology and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She conducted research in self-ratings of sensory processing in adolescents and adults with ASD and clinical correlates of sensory related behaviors. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and exploring DC with her dog, Nelly.

Julie Erthal

Julie Erthal received her M.A. in 2015 through the Speech-Language Pathology program at the George Washington University. Originally from the Philadelphia area, she earned both her undergraduate degree and master’s degree in biology from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Her research investigated the relationships between empathy and other psychopathological correlates in persons with autism. She enjoys yoga, hanging out by the ocean, and brushing up on her Spanish.

Kellie Ileto

Kellie Ileto was born and raised in the DC Metropolitan Area. She attended University of Rochester where she majored in Psychology and minored in Religion and Classics. After graduation she moved to Baltimore, MD where she worked for three years as a Research Early Interventionist with children with Autism and attended Johns Hopkins University where she received her Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kellie received her M.A. in the George Washington University’s Speech-Language Pathology Masters Program. Outside of academics, she enjoys running, coxing for the Baltimore Rowing Club, gardening, hiking and bird watching.

Sanjana Jayaram

Sanjana Jayaram is a second year graduate student in the GWU Speech-Language Pathology Master's program. She originally is from Philadelphia, PA and obtained her Bachelor's degree at Temple University. Before starting her Master's, she has worked at a non profit organization for individuals with ASD for 5 years and enjoyed every minute of it. She looks forward to becoming an SLP and continuing to grow her love for the field!