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.
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.
Sileana Truong
Research Associate
Sileana Truong is a ComArtSci staff, transferring over from working for the Psychology department as a research assistant in the Child Emotions Lab. Before working for MSU, Sileana started her journey here as a student, almost 25 years ago, and now is returning to campus to be part of the support staff team in the Developmental Speech Lab, directed by Dr. Bridget Walsh. Sileana graduated from the College of Social Sciences with a 4.0, and her areas of focus included Psychology and Sociology. Having over 15 years of experience working with children, she is excited to continue to work with the pediatric population and be a permanent part of the MSU family.
Matthew Phillips, M.A., CCC-SLP
PhD Student
Matthew (Matt) Phillips is a person who stutters, speech therapist, and first-year PhD student in the Developmental Speech Lab under the direction of Dr. Bridget Walsh. He is excited to join the lab and study stuttering using a wide range of perspectives, from neurophysiology to the lived experience of people who stutter. Matt is especially interested in conducting research that improves the evidence-base of strengths-based speech therapy approaches that bolster self-acceptance and resilience in people who stutter.
Matt practices clinically as a speech therapist at the Sisskin Stuttering Center, where he provides speech therapy to people who stutter across the lifespan using an Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®) framework. He is passionate about helping people who stutter become more confident, effective, and joyful communicators!
Matt earned his master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Connecticut, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences & Psychology.
Madelyn Holmes
Graduate Research Assistant
Madelyn is a second-year master’s student in Speech-Language Pathology at Michigan State University, where she works in the Developmental Speech Lab. She joined the lab because she is passionate about helping children and making a lasting impact on their lives. Madelyn is eager to gain experience and grow as a student through her work in the lab, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Mackenzie Meerschaert
Graduate Research Assisstant
Mackenzie is a first-year Master's student in Speech-Language Pathology at Michigan State University. She joined the Developmental Speech Lab to gain hands-on experience working with children, with the goal of becoming a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. Mackenzie is deeply passionate about helping children communicate to their fullest potential, and she is excited to participate in meaningful research focused on stuttering in children. Through her work in the lab, she aims to enhance her clinical knowledge and contribute to a greater understanding of speech and language development in pediatric populations.
Caroline Crago
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Caroline is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Lab. She is a senior majoring in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. 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.
Trevor Moran
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Trevor is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology after completing his undergraduate studies. As a person who stutters, Trevor joined the lab to gain research experience and work towards improving the lives of people with communication disorders. Trevor is also an active member of the Spartan Stuttering Group and the Lansing Chapter of the National Stuttering Association.
Grace Beadle
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Grace is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Lab. She is a senior 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.
Rachel Erdmann
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Elaina Bortolini
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Elaina is a junior at Michigan State University studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders. After her undergraduate degree, she hopes to obtain a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Elaina joined this lab because she loves working with young children and is passionate about research!
Megan Moore
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Megan is a second-year student majoring in communicative sciences and disorders. She hopes to attend grad school to pursue a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology to become a pediatric SLP. Megan decided to join the Developmental Speech Lab because she loves working with children. Additionally, she wanted the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives while gaining experience that will benefit her future career.