1. People
  2. Our Team

Our Team

Dr. Derek Houston looks at a camera with greenry behind him.

Principal Investigator: Derek Houston

Dr. Houston received his doctorate in cognitive psychology from Johns Hopkins University in 2000, focusing on how typically developing infants segment words from fluent speech and recognize words across different talkers. After graduating, he constructed the world’s first laboratory to investigate the speech perception and language skills of deaf infants who receive cochlear implants at Indiana University. Since then, his work (supported by NIDCD) has investigated the role of early auditory experience and parent-child interactions on cognitive, linguistic, and social building blocks of language development. He also engages in community-based participatory research aimed at addressing barriers families face in obtaining high-quality early intervention services for their children.

Department Head & Professor Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences

Office: Phillips Communication Sciences Building 212

Email: derek.houston@uconn.edu

Smiling at camera, middle aged white woman with brown curly hair and rose gold glasses.

Research Scientist: Torri Ann Woodruff-Gautherin

Torri Ann Woodruff-Gautherin received her PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2022. She has conducted research implementing both qualitative and quantitative methods to look at drivers behind access to early intervention for children who are D/deaf and Hard of hearing. She is passionate about language access across all modalities. In her free time, Torri Ann enjoys hiking with her family and trying allergy safe baked goods!

Early 20s white male with blonde hair and wire frame glasses smiling in front of venetian canal and church

Lab Manager: Bobby Bourque

Bobby Bourque is the HELLO Lab manager. He received his BA from Wesleyan University in 2023, double majoring in Neuroscience & Behavior and Italian Studies with a minor in Bioinformatics. His research interests include first and second language acquisition and games as a tool for education. In his free time, he enjoys baking, hiking, and playing video games.

PhD Students

This is an image of Precious-Janae. Precious-Jenae describes this image as a Black woman with braids sitting in a chair smiling

Precious-Janae Romain

Precious-Janae received her B.A. from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in 2023, with a major in Linguistics, minor in Psychology and certification in Speech & Hearing Sciences. Precious-Janae entered the doctoral program in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences at University of Connecticut in the fall of 2023. Her research interests include spoken language development and acquisition in children with hearing loss, bilingualism, auditory and speech perception in language learning, and American Sign Language (ASL). In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, playing video games, and dancing.

AuD Students

This is an image of Courtney. Courtney describes this image's content as a mid-twenties white woman with brown eyes and brown hair.

Courtney Melick

Courtney received her B.A. in biochemistry from the Ohio State University in 2021. Following graduation, she worked as the lab manager for the Psychosocial Cognitive Lab at OSU. Courtney entered the doctoral audiology program at University of Connecticut in autumn of 2023 and is currently working as a graduate assistant in the HELLO lab. In her free time, Courtney enjoys reading, painting, and taking ballet classes.

This is an image of Juliette Ranelli. Juliette describes it as a young woman with short brown hair who is smiling and wearing a grey top.

Juliette Ranelli

Juliette is a graduate student from New Haven. She graduated from UConn in 2024 with a major in Speech Language & Hearing Sciences. She works as a graduate research assistant in the HELLO Lab. She is interested in learning more about the language experiences of kids with Cochlear Implants. In her free time, Juliette enjoys going on playing ball with her dog and going down Zillow rabbit holes.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Karlien (Naya) Peterson is an undergraduate junior student majoring in Psychological Sciences. She is interested in developmental and social psychology. Outside of school, Naya enjoys trying new foods, bike rides, and listening to music.

Adriana Rinaldi is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut. She is currently completing her senior year as a Speech Language and Hearing Sciences major with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Adriana’s interests lie in the field of Speech Language Pathology with hopes to work with toddler-elementary age children in an educational setting. Outside of her studies, Adriana loves going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family!

Madeline Germe is an undergraduate honors student majoring in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is working towards a career as a Speech Language Pathologist in an educational setting. Madeline is an active member of UConn’s National Student Speech, Language & Hearing Association (NSSLHA). Her interests include speech acquisition, speech perception, and American Sign Language. In her free time, Madeline enjoys playing volleyball, watching movies, and spending time with friends.

Mackenzie Hackney is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut. She is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Her minors include Human Development and Family Sciences, Psychology, and American Sign Language. She hopes to become a pediatric speech language pathologist in the future. Outside of school, Mackenzie enjoys dancing, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family.

Ranyelis Espinoza is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a major in speech-language and hearing science, accompanied by a minor in human development and family studies. She is actively engaged in her academic pursuits, preparing herself for her future career goal of working as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Alongside her studies, she dedicates her time to work as a pharmacy technician.

Sofia Rebelo is a junior undergraduate pursuing Cognitive Science and Computer Science and following the pre-law pre-professional track. Her interests encompass second language acquisition, UX/UI design, AI modeling, and intellectual property law. Beyond her academics, Sofia enjoys watching movies, learning new languages, and playing with her two cats.

Giovanna Doria is an undergraduate honors student at the University of Connecticut. She is currently in her junior year with a major in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science and a minor in Interpreting Between American Sign Language and English. As of right now, she plans on pursuing a career in the field of Audiology, hoping to work closely with children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing and to provide families with the resources they need to make informed decisions. Outside of school, Giovanna enjoys painting, crocheting, listening to music, and theater.

Former Lab Members

Madelyn Kulman (2023 - Undergraduate Research Assistant)