School Updates

Faculty and Staff are bolded; current students and alumni are noted with an asterisk *

GRANTS

Dr. Morgan Jameson received a School of CSD Faculty Research Grant for her project, Effect of Varying Familiarity on Cross-Neurotype Communication Effectiveness.

Dr. Thierry Morlet received a School of CSD Faculty Research Grant for his project, Effects of Environmental Noise Exposure on the Development of Hearing and Language Abilities in Young Children with Hearing Loss.

AWARDS

Kyleigh Jackson*, a third year AuD/PhD student, was given the Dean’s Research Award to support her attendance and poster presentation at the 2025 AAA Conference. Her poster, When Two Ears are Not Better than One: Dichotic Deficits in Children, is part of the ongoing research in Dr. Debbie Moncrieff’s Auditory Processing Disorders Lab.

Trent Harper received the Susan Te Paske “See Me” Award at the Disability Advocacy Week Awards Ceremony and Luncheon. Three other faculty members from CSD, including Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Mrs. Alene White, and Dr. Tina Childress, were also nominated for the award.

Isabel Martin*, a third year AuD/PhD student, and Rose Pérez*, a third year AuD student, received the Dean’s Research Award to support their attendance and poster presentation at the 2025 American Academy of Audiology Conference. Their poster, Evaluation of a soundfield + virtual environment for listening outcome assessment, also received the Professional Poster Award at AAA. This project was completed with Dr. Jani Johnson in the Hearing Aid Research Lab.

Isabel Martin* and Rose Pérez* received first place at the University of Memphis Student Research Forum in the Life and Health Sciences category for their poster, Evaluation of a soundfield + virtual environment for listening outcome assessment. This project was completed with Dr. Jani Johnson in the Hearing Aid Research Lab.

CONGRATULATIONS

Dr. Megan Burkhardt-Reed* (PhD ‘23) was hired as Assistant Professor in Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Fall 2025. 

Dr. Jared Carter* (PhD ‘22) was hired as an Assistant Professor of Audiology at Gallaudet University in Fall 2024.

Dr. Jordan Alyse Coffelt was selected to serve on the Program Committee for the American Cochlear Implant Alliance Conference (CI 2026 in Chicago).

Dr. Jordan Alyse Coffelt was promoted to Director of Clinical Education, Audiology effective May 1, 2025.

Dr. Jennifer Taylor was promoted to Associate Dean of Academic Programs effective June 2, 2025.

Dr. Hyunjoo Yoo* (PhD ‘18) was granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Alabama, 2025.

PUBLICATIONS

Bass, J.K.*, Warren, S.E., Dillard, S.G.*, Peeples, A.L.*, Li, K., Jones, S.*, Hua, C.H., Xie, L., Liu, S., Ness, K.K., Hudson, M.M., Armstrong, G.T., Richard, C., and Krill, K.R. (2025). Eligibility for Cochlear Implant Candidacy Evaluation in Childhood Cancer Survivors. JAMA Oncology. Published online May 1, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.0856

Burkhardt-Reed, MM*, Bene, ER, Oller DK (2025). Frequencies and functions of vocalizations and gestures in the second year of life. PLoS One, 20(1): e0308760. https://doi.org/10.371/journal.pone.0308760

Eichorn, N. & Campanelli, L. (2025). Attention bias in school-age children who stutter: Evidence from a dot-probe task. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.

Jha, R. H., Piker, E. G., Scalzo, M., & Trinidad, D. (2025). Dance Training and the Neuroplasticity of the Vestibular-Ocular Reflex: Preliminary Findings. Brain Sciences, 15(4), 355. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15040355

Oller DK, Bene, E.R., Yoo, H.*, Su, P.L., Long, H.*, Klaiman, C., Pulver, S.L., Pileggi, M.L., Brane, N., and Ramsay, G. (2025). The Robustness of Speech-Like Vocalization in Typically Developing Infants and Infants with Autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 159: 104949. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104949

Oller, D. K., Bene, E. R., Yoo, H,*  Su, P. L., Long, H*, Klaiman, C. Pulver, S. L., Richardson, S., Pileggi, M. L, Brane, N., Ramsay, G. (2025). The robustness of speech-like vocalization in typically developing infants and infants with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 159. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40088705/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891422225000332

Shehabi, S., Comstock, D. C., Mankel, K., Bormann, B. M., Das, S., Brodie, H., Sagiv, D., & Miller, L. M. (2025). Individual differences in cognition and perception predict neural processing of speech in noise for audiometrically normal listeners. ENeuro. https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0381-24.2025

Su, P. L., Ramsay, G., Bene,  E. R., Yoo, H*,  Long, H*, Klaiman, C. Pulver, S. L., Richardson, S., Pileggi, M. L, Brane, N., Oller, D. K.  (2025). Parentese Elicits Infant Speech-Like Vocalizations in Typically Developing and Autistic Infants. Infancy.

PRESENTATIONS

Anthony, T. & Warren, S.E. (Invited) (2025, April 24). Extending Beyond Health Literacy: Enhancing Public Health Concepts in CSD Curriculum. Council of Academic Programs in CSD Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Crow, K.* (2025, June 6). Awareness in Action: Exploring Interoceptive and Exteroceptive Practices for Vocalist. 54th Annual Symposium for Care for the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, PA.

Gilbert, E.*, Atkins, A.*, & van Mersbergen, M. (2025, June 7). Considerations for Young Voice Users: A Survey of Singing Teachers and Music Educators on Voice Development and Fach* Assignment in Adolescents. 54th Annual Symposium for Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, PA. 

Haddix, V., Mendez, K., Dunkin, A., Taylor, J., & Coffelt, JA. (2025, April 26). Cultivating Inclusive Practices in CSD Clinical Education for Students with Disabilities. Council of Academic Programs in CSD Conference, Atlanta, GA. 

Harper, T. (Feb 7, 2025).  “From My World to Yours: Insights from a Deaf Child with Hearing Parents.” Presentation at the 5th Annual Care Project TN Parent Professional Collaborative, Franklin, TN. Early Hearing Detection & Intervention, Tennessee Dept of Health.

Isaacs, A. (Feb 14, 2025). “Introduce Your Students to ASL Classifiers.” Presentation at the 2025 Florida American Sign Language Teachers Association Conference, Orlando, FL.

Jameson, M., & Bean, A. (2025, May 3). Finding common ground: The power of linguistic entrainment in matched neurotype communication. Presentation at the International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting, 2025, Seattle, WA.

Mankel, K., Dodson, J*., Arnold., L.*, Chao, M.*, Holloway, A.* (2025, February). Chirped-speech reveals connection between brainstem encoding and speech-in-noise perception. Presentation at the 48th MidWinter Meeting for the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Orlando, FL.

Martin, I*., Pérez, R.*, and Johnson, J. (March 24, 2025). “Evaluation of a soundfield & virtual environment for listening outcome assessment.” Poster Presentation at the University of Memphis Student Research Forum, Memphis, TN. 

Martin, I*., Pérez, R.*, and Johnson, J. (March 28, 2025). “Evaluation of a soundfield & virtual environment for listening outcome assessment.” Poster Presentation at the American Academy of Audiology Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Martin, I*., Pérez, R.*, and Johnson, J. (April 11, 2025). “Evaluation of a soundfield & virtual environment for listening outcome assessment.” PhD Pre-Candidacy Presentation at the University of Memphis CSD PhD Colloquium, Memphis, TN.

Oller, D. K. (2024). Infant vocal development and the origin of language: The importance of developmental research in autism and congenital deafness. Invited lecture to the Brain Health Research Institute (BHRI) at Kent State University, Kent, OH.

Oller, D. K. (2024). The origin of language: new tools for research and new findings. Invited lecture to the Hawk-IDDRC (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers) of the University of Iowa. Iowa City, IO.

Oller, D. K. (2024). Detecting possible signs of autism in early vocal development. Invited lecture to the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders of the University of Iowa. Iowa City, IO.

Oller, D. K. (2024). Infant vocalization as expression of affect: A foundation for language. Presentation for the International Workshop on the Origins of Vocal Emotions. Geneva, Switzerland, October.

Price, C. N.*, Mankel, K., Milman, M.*, Austin, A.* (2025, February). Clinical practice patterns, barriers, and opportunities in auditory electrophysiology. Presentation at the 52nd Annual Scientific Technology Meeting for the American Auditory Society, Scottsdale, AZ.

van Mersbergen, M (2025, June 6).  Invited talk on Perspectives on Voice Production and Emotion. 54th Annual Symposium for Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, PA.

MID-SOUTH PRESENTATIONS

M. van Mersbergen. (Feb 27, 2025). “Massage therapy techniques for the face, jaw, neck, and intraoral structures.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.
 
T. Morlet. (Feb 27, 2025). “Advances in neuropathy spectrum disorder diagnosis and management in the pediatric population.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.  

L. Lucks Mendel. (Feb 27, 2025). “Assessing your patients’ speech perception abilities: reminders and new ideas.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

J. Merrill. (Feb 27, 2025). “Differential Diagnosis in Pediatric SSD’s.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

S. Warren. (Feb 27, 2025). “The Memphis Sound Project: Perspectives among black adults.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

K. Mendez. (Feb 28, 2025). “Gen Z and Clinical Education.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

R. Yawn and C. Tefel*. (Feb 28, 2025). “ENT Audiology including Interprofessional Collaboration between ENTs and Audiologists.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

M. Parsons*. (Feb 28, 2025). “Embracing Your Emotions: Integrating emotion regulation in adult-based speech therapy.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

MID-SOUTH POSTERS

A. Faghanoghani* and J. Johnson. (Feb 28, 2025). “Acoustic Effects of Incremental Adjustments to Hearing Aid Feature Settings.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

A. Mitchell*, C. Howell*, and L. Feenaughty (Feb 28, 2025). “Off-target Verbosity in Narrative Monologues: Comparison of Adults with Aphasia, TBI and Multiple Sclerosis. Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

B. Burdick*, A. Aucker*, and L. Feenaughty (Feb 28, 2025). “Factors Influencing Speech Perception in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

E. Crawford*, A.T. Brewer*, and S. Warren. (Feb 28, 2025). “Community Based Research: Scientific Deliverables of the Memphis SOUND Project.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

H. Kolwyck*. (Feb 28, 2025). “Effects of Contact Lens on Vestibular-Ocular Reflex and Vestibular-Ocular Reflex Suppression.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

I. Martin*, R. Perez*, and J. Johnson. (Feb 28, 2025). “Development of a Virtual Environment to Assess Listening Outcomes.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

J. Dodson*, L. Arnold*, and K. Mankel. (Feb 28, 2025). “Assessment of Auditory Function during Speech Listening in Young and Middle Age Populations.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

K. Terry*, S. Warren, and N. Norman. (Feb 28, 2025). “Perceptions of Personal Hearing Device Usage among Prelingually Deafened Adults Who Primarily Use American Sign Language.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

K. Ramani*, E. Williams*, and L. Feenaughty. (Feb 28, 2025). “Effect of Dysarthria and Cognitive Impairment on Stop-Gap Duration and Variability in Multiple Sclerosis.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

K. Jackson*. (Feb 28, 2025). “Prevalence of Speech Sound Errors in Children with Dichotic Listening Deficits.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

S. Fox* and K. McDermott*. (Feb 28, 2025). “Survey of Long-Term Effect from ARIA Treatment.” Midsouth Conference on Communicative Disorders, Memphis, TN.

FOND FAREWELL

Dr. Lynda Feenaughty, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, leaves the School as of May 31, 2025 to focus on personal matters.  Dr. Feenaughty has been an invaluable member of our team, contributing significantly to the School in all her roles. Her dedication, expertise, and positive attitude have made a lasting impression on all of us.