People
Bridget Walsh, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Developmental Speech Lab Director
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Dr. Bridget Walsh is the Principal Investigator of the Developmental Speech Lab. Bridget is a licensed speech-language pathologist and Assistant Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University. She received her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience from Purdue University. Bridget’s research focuses on the mechanisms underlying the development of stuttering in young children. She uses a multilevel approach combining physiological, behavioral, and clinical measures to investigate why many young children recover from early stuttering while others persist and develop a lifelong condition.
With support from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at the National Institutes of Health, the Developmental Speech Lab is conducting a 5-year longitudinal study to map the development of neurological, behavioral, and experiential factors in young children who are stuttering to learn how these factors unfold over time and contribute to different stuttering outcomes in individual children—persistence or recovery. This research will bring new, comprehensive insights into the development of stuttering leading to advances in diagnostic and intervention approaches.
Katelyn Gerwin, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Katelyn (Katie) Gerwin is a post-doctoral research associate in the Developmental Speech Laboratory directed by Dr. Bridget Walsh. She is interested in the neural underpinnings of speech and language processing in children who stutter, children with speech sound disorders, and children with both disorders. Her research focuses on the development of phonological processing in these clinical populations and how this development may combine with other factors to predict stuttering recovery and persistence.
Katie received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University. She completed her clinical fellowship in the M.D. Steer Speech, Language, and Swallowing Clinic concentrating on assessment and treatment for individuals who stutter across the lifespan.
Chelsea Johnson, Ph.D.
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Chelsea Johnson is a post-doctoral research associate in the Developmental Speech Laboratory directed by Dr. Bridget Walsh. She is interested in the neural underpinnings of speech motor control and studying relationships between executive functioning processes and developmental stuttering. Chelsea received her B.S. degrees in Psychology and Neuroscience and her doctorate in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Michigan State University. Go Green!
Seth E. Tichenor, Ph.D.
Collaborator
Dr. Tichenor is a person who stutters, a speech-language pathologist, and an assistant professor at Duquesne University. His research interests include better understanding and predicting individual differences in the experience of stuttering (stammering), understanding how adverse impact related to the condition develops, and determining how moments of stuttering occur in speech. He is currently investigating the role cognitive-affective processes have on speech production and language formulation processes in stuttering and non-clinical populations. Dr. Tichenor also practices clinically and is actively involved in clinical education regarding stuttering assessment and treatment.
Madelyn Holmes
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Madelyn is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Lab. She is currently in her senior studying communicative sciences and disorders with aspirations to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology. Madelyn joined the lab because she enjoys helping and creating a lasting impact in the lives of others. Along with this, she is eager to learn and grow as a student by gaining experience through the lab.
Ella Maloney
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shayna Hecht
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Shea is a senior majoring in communicative sciences and disorders and minoring in cognitive science. She joined the lab to gain experience with the pediatric population in a speech environment because she plans to work with kids in her future career as an SLP. She plans to attend grad school, and is excited to begin a lifelong journey of helping children find their voice through experience in this lab
Mary Derkacz
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mary is senior studying communicative sciences and disorders. Mary is the current NSSLHA president for the 2023-2024 school year. In her classes, she loves to learn about various disorders and populations she may be treating. Mary feels her time spent in the lab will give her an insight as to what being a SLP may look like, and is excited to learn more about pediatric stuttering.
Danielle Jones
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Danielle is a junior studying communicative sciences and disorders. She joined the lab to get an insight as to what her future career may look like and prepare for graduate school. After her undergrad, Dani plans to attend grad school with hopes of learning how to help others and amplify their voices.
Anna English
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Anna English is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Laboratory. She is a sophomore studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders with a cognitive science minor. Anna plans on attending grad school for Speech-Language Pathology and aspires to work in a pediatric clinical setting after graduating. She joined the DSL for the opportunity to learn from accomplished professionals and to gain meaningful experience for her future career.
Mia Ivanko
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Mia is an undergraduate student, in her second year, studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Linguistics, in hopes of becoming a Speech Pathologist. After Michigan State she hopes to attend graduate school where she will learn more about a career in Speech Pathology. She decided to join this lab because in the future she hopes to work with kids and is interested to learn more about stuttering!
Grace Thomas
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Grace is an undergraduate research assistant in the Developmental Speech Lab at Michigan State University. She is a junior studying Kinesiology with minors in Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Women’s Studies. After her undergraduate degree, Grace plans to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, and hopes to work with the pediatric population in the future. She is very passionate about working with children, so she joined the lab to get to work with and help the pediatric population in a speech setting, and to gain experience for her future.
Caroline Crago
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Caroline is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Lab. She is a freshman this fall majoring in Communicative Sciences and Disorders and minoring in Spanish. Caroline plans on attending grad school for Speech-language Pathology and eventually work as a medical SLP. She joined the lab because of her love of working with children and the insight it will give her into the world of research.
Cassidy Najor
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Cassidy Najor is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Laboratory. As a junior majoring in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Cassidy aspires to continue her academic journey by pursuing a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She joined the lab due to her passion for helping children with stuttering challenges and to create a positive impact.
Grace Beadle
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Grace is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Lab. She is a sophomore majoring in Communicative Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Educational Studies. Grace plans on attending graduate school to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. She joined the lab because she loves working with children and she is excited to gain research experience in the lab.