DEREK HOUSTON, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator | CV

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.

TORRI ANN WOODRUFF-GAUTHERIN, Ph.D.

Research Scientist | CV

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!

NARINDRA ANDRISOAMAMPIANINA

Lab Manager

Narindra received her B.A. in Psychology and Women's, Gender, and Sexualities Studies from Lafayette College in 2023. She oversees the lab's major projects, including the HELLO Lab's research projects and community engagement events. Narindra is interested in the intersection between education, intersectionality, and language learning, and hopes to understand how children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn languages. Her goal is to come back to her home country in Madagascar and help children with special needs have better access to education. Narindra loves to read, go out, and travel when she is not working.

KAITLYN TESTA, Ph.D.

CV

Kaitlyn received her PhD in Psychology from Florida International University in 2025. She has conducted research on maternal responsiveness and infant distractibility and how they relate to child language development. Her research interests include how parent behaviors during interactions with their children and child attention skills differ based on child hearing status as well as how parent behaviors and child attention skills may facilitate language learning in children with cochlear implants. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys reading, playing video games, and working out.

AIDAN LALIBERTE

MA SLP Student

Aidan Laliberte is a graduate assistant and speech-language pathology master's student at UConn. Years back, Aidan began his post-secondary education as a pre-med student but left school to pursue a career in acting and media. During this time he appeared in both theater and film projects. Before pursuing a clinical degree in communication sciences and disorders, he co-founded LittleFire, a digital media production company.

Aidan is passionate about science education, the intersection of public health and media literacy, bilingualism, and rehabilitation for neurogenic communication disorders. He has worked on several research projects at UConn’s Aphasia Rehab Lab. He currently co-hosts and writes a podcast started within the SLHS department called LingQuery, featuring many students and faculty at UConn. In his role at the HELLO Lab, he is developing a series of parent education videos centered on language development titled HELLO Lab Presents, set to launch fall 2025.

COURTNEY MELICK

Au.D. Student

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

Au.D. Student

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.

PRECIOUS-JANAE ROMAIN

Ph.D. / MA SLP Student

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.

OLIVIA KOZIELL

Olivia is a rising senior undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in ASL and Deaf Culture. Olivia is interested in becoming a Speech Language Pathologist and working in the NICU. Outside of school, she participates in UConn’s National Student Speech, Language & Hearing Association and is an active member in her sorority, Delta Zeta. She also enjoys skiing, arts and crafts, and spending time with friends.

STEPHANY TRINIDAD

Stephany is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. She is passionate about understanding people and dedicated to helping children and families improve their lives and strengthen their relationships. Her ultimate career goal is to work in the field of social work, though she remains open to other professions that involve supporting families and fostering healthy dynamics. Stephany currently holds several leadership positions in both her workplace and extracurricular activities, demonstrating her commitment to growth and community involvement. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, spending quality time with her family and friends, and playing sports/ games with loved ones. 

HANSIKA SUBRAMANIAN

Hansika is a sophomore double majoring in Speech Language Hearing Sciences (SLHS) and American Sign Language (ASL). She applied to work in the HELLO Lab because she was curious about the PIE project and wanted to learn more about the research side of this field. Her ultimate 'dream job' would be to work at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in the Level IV Nicu as a speech language pathologist (SLP) in her home state of New Jersey and continue to use ASL in her daily life. Outside of her passion for SLHS and ASL, she loves to dance, write, and spend time with her friends. She is a captain on UConn Jhalak, an intercollegiate dance team on campus, where she choreographs different dances for the team and is a writer for Her Campus, an online magazine for college students. Hansika is also a member of UConn’s National Student Speech, Language & Hearing Association and the Social Media Manager for UConn's American Sign Language Club. She is excited to continue to learn about the amazing world of SLHS and ASL and is ready to work hard to be the best SLP that she can be!

MIYA KINNEY

Miya is a rising Junior at the University of Connecticut, double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science and Interpreting Between American Sign Language and English. She hopes to become a Speech Language pathologist, working with children who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing to provide them with resources to reach their goals. She also hopes to become an ASL interpreter. In her free time,  Miya loves to run, bake, spend time with friends/family and go on hikes. 

NOURA TAZI

Noura is a rising junior honors student at the University of Connecticut, double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and American Sign Language. Noura aspires to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist with children who are D/deaf, supporting those who choose to develop both ASL and speech skills. Additionally, Noura hopes to teach ASL basics to families to foster effective communication at home. In her free time, Noura enjoys doing arts and crafts, playing basketball, baking, and exploring new cafes.

JASLEEN KAUR

BIANCA (B.) HRISCU

GIOVANNA DORIA

Giovanna is a rising senior honors student at the University of Connecticut. She majors 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. Giovanna was our SHARE apprentice in summer 2024.

SOFIA REBELO

Sofia is a senior honors student at the university of Connecticut pursuing a dual degree in Cognitive Science and Computer Science on the pre-law track. Her interests include UX/UI design, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and intellectual property law. She aspires to use technology to bridge accessibility disparities in healthcare and, after graduation, will begin her career in Software Engineering. Outside of her academics, Sofia enjoys watching movies, travelling, playing with her cats, and learning new languages!