Lab Photos
Dr. Stacy Harnish
Courtney Jewell
Courtney Jewell, MA CCC-SLP, a graduate research assistant and laboratory manager in the OSU Aphasia Laboratory, is in her fourth year of the Ph.D. program in Speech and Hearing Science. Courtney completed her Masters in Speech Language Pathology in May of 2023 and actively practices as an acute care speech language pathologist. Courtney graduated from Indiana University as a dual major with a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences and B.A. in Psychology, and minor in Gerontology. Her research interests broadly lie in the relationship between psychosocial factors and aphasia rehabilitation outcomes and the development of innovative methodologies to asses language treatment outcomes when and where it truly matters. In her free time, she enjoys playing sand volleyball, running, and traveling.
Grace Terry
Grace Terry, MA CF-SLP, research assistant and graduate administrative associate for undergraduate advising, is in her second year of the Ph.D. program in Speech and Hearing Science. In 2021 Grace graduated from OSU with her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science, as well as a minor in disability studies and an honor of research distinction. In 2023, Grace graduated from OSU with her M.A. in Speech Pathology. Grace’s current research interest is evidence-based caregiver resources created for individuals with all levels of health literacy to support their loved ones with communication impairments. In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time outside, snuggling with her dog Hamilton, and crafting.
Natalie Freitag
Natalie Freitag, BA is a second year MA – PhD student, graduate teaching assistant, and a graduate research assistant in the lab. She also works as a graduate student clinician in the OSU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic. She graduated in 2023 from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, with majors in Communication Sciences and Disorders & Neuroscience, as well as a minor in Spanish. Her current research interest is the neural basis of orthographic cueing in anomia therapy. She hopes to continue her earlier research on non-invasive brain stimulation as an adjuvant to aphasia therapy. Outside of the lab, Natalie is a big dog person who loves gel nails and mac n cheese.
See Natalie’s CV here
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, is a first-year Ph.D. student in Speech and Hearing Sciences and a Graduate Research Assistant in the OSU Aphasia Laboratory. She completed her clinical work at a pediatric private practice. Gillian earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 2021, where she served as the lab manager of the Aphasia and Related Research Laboratory (2019-2021). Her honors thesis explored the impacts of intergenerational relationships on the quality of life in individuals with aphasia. In 2023, Gillian graduated with her master’s degree from Georgia State University. During her time there, she worked as a research assistant in the Aphasia and Motor Speech Laboratory and served as president of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSHLA) in 2022. Her master’s thesis focused on recreational reading supports for individuals with aphasia. Gillian’s research interests are centered around improving quality of life and addressing health disparities for people with aphasia. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Stella, and exploring the outdoors.
Olivia Prexta
Olivia Prexta, MA, CCC-SLP is a research speech-language pathologist in the Aphasia Laboratory. She graduated from OSU in 2016 with a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science, then went on to Cleveland State University to earn her M.A. in Speech Language Pathology. Since graduating, Olivia has been working as a speech-language pathologist in the skilled nursing facility setting. In her free time, Olivia enjoys playing with her pets, gardening, and spending time with friends.
Mallory (Sharp) Whitten
Mallory (Sharp) Whitten, MA, CCC-SLP is a research speech-language pathologist in the Aphasia Laboratory. She received her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science at Ohio State University in 2015 and went on to complete her Master’s in Speech Language Pathology at OSU in 2017. Mallory was a laboratory assistant in the Aphasia Lab during graduate school! She has been working as an SLP in acute care at Grant Medical Center since 2018 and also has experience working in inpatient rehab and skilled nursing. Mallory enjoys traveling, playing recreational sports and spending time with her husband and energetic pup, Oxley.
Kelley Lotko
Kelley Lotko MA, CCC- SLP is a research speech-language pathologist in the Aphasia Laboratory. She received her Bachelor’s degree in 2016 and Master’s degree in 2019 at The Ohio State University. She has worked as a SLP in the acute care setting since 2019. She also has experience in the skilled nursing and home health settings. Kelley loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She enjoys yoga, coffee, and exploring new places.
Jennifer Brello
Jennifer Brello, MEd., CCC-SLP is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Ohio State University and the Director of the OSU Aphasia Initiative. She has over 20 years of experience working with adults who have experienced acquired brain injury. Jennifer received a MEd from the University of Toledo in 1998 and worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Team Leader of the TBI System of Care at Wexner Medical Center from 1998-2009. She also served as the Program Director of the Ohio Valley Center for Brain Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation from 2009-2012, where she planned and directed educational programs, conducting training courses on accommodating the effects of traumatic brain injury and coordinated research protocols. Jennifer lives in Italian Village with her husband and two children.
Graduated PhD Students
Victoria Diedrichs
Victoria Diedrichs, PhD, CCC-SLP graduated with her PhD in August of 2023. Victoria served as the laboratory manager and research assistant in the Aphasia Laboratory for six years and was such a valuable asset! Victoria’s research interests lie in cognitive-linguistic changes following acquired brain injury and use of neuroimaging in diagnosis and measurement of treatment efficacy. Beginning in Fall of 2023, Victoria will be a postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University working with Dr. Leora Cherney. We cannot see what else she accomplishes!! Check out her website here: https://www.victoriadiedrichs.com/home
Deena Schwen Blackett
Deena Schwen Blackett, PhD, CCC-SLP graduated with her PhD in May of 2020. Deena has been an extremely valuable member of the Aphasia Laboratory for the past 8 years and will be missed tremendously! Deena’s research interests include examining the effect of emotion on language processing in neuro-typical, aging adults and people with aphasia. Beginning in Fall 2021 Deena will be a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical University of South Carolina working with Dr. Leonardo Bonilha and his team. We cannot wait to see what Deena achieves in her next journey!
Ally Zezinka Durfee
Alexandra Zezinka Durfee, PhD, CCC-SLP graduated with her PhD in December 2019. She was an integral part of the Aphasia Laboratory and will be missed very much! Her research interests include cognitive-linguistic changes following brain injury. Additionally, she is interested in developing ways to detect and treat acquired language and cognitive-communicative disorders through more implicit methods. Ally is now a post-doctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins working with Dr. Argye Hillis in the S.C.O.R.E. Lab. Congratulations, Ally!
Jennifer P. Lundine
Jennifer P. Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS graduated with her PhD in August 2016. She was extremely valuable to the Aphasia Laboratory and we will miss her! Her research interests focus on cognition and communication difficulties experienced by children and adolescents following acquired brain injury, with an emphasis on improving outcomes related to brain injury in children. She is now a faculty member in the Speech and Hearing Science Department here at The Ohio State University and the director of the CCCABI laboratory! Congratulations, Jenny!
Past and Present Aphasia Lab Volunteers
Abby Meyer
Alayna Rowell
Allison Kinross
Amy Woods
Audrey Hall
Breanna Lampron
Bailey Wills
Caitlin Berry
Caroline Conway
Chelsie Moffatt
Collin McGarrett
Danielle Serio
Erin Rundio
Grace Dillon
Haleigh Caldwell
Haley Beck
Haley Gilmour
Haley Ries
Holly Harvey
Jackie Marchi
Jenna Shiner
Josephine Boland
Kaia Calhoun
Kaitlin Louie
Kate Bergeron
Lana Saqer
Mackenzie Chalifoux
Mackenzie Colombo
Madison Colton
Mallory Sharp
Maura Busemeyer
Maya Silva
Megan Blackburn
Meganne Muir
Monica Newport
Nicole Deley
Olivia Wolph
Patty Williams
Rachel DeLord
Robbie Davidson
Sam Lewis
Sydney Bruce
Taylor DiBucci
Tiniyja Burney