OUR TEAM
DEREK HOUSTON, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
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.
| derek.houston@uconn.edu | |
| Office Location | PCSB 212 |
| Phone | 860-486-4482 |
TORRI ANN WOODRUFF-GAUTHERIN, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
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!
| tawg@uconn.edu | |
| Office Location | HDC 104 |
| Phone | 860-341-2667 |
ROBERT BOURQUE
Lab Manager
Bobby earned his B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior and Italian Studies with a minor in Bioinformatics at Wesleyan University in 2023. He is the lab manager and helps coordinate the lab's major projects. He is interested in language acquisition, interaction design, and games as a tool for learning. In his free time, he enjoys baking, hiking, and playing video games.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS
KAITLYN TESTA
PHD STUDENTS
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
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.
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 walks, playing ball with her dog and going down Zillow rabbit holes.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
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.
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
Mackenzie Hackney - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Karlien (Naya) Peterson - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Madelyn Kulman - Undergraduate Research Assistant