Aphasia Lab Leadership
Julius Fridriksson - Director
Julius Fridriksson is a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and a SmartState Endowed Chair of Memory and Brain Functioning. He graduated from the Sudurnes Community College (Iceland) with a university preparatory degree (studentsprof) and later completed his M.A. in speech pathology at the University of Central Florida. He then received a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 2001. Following completion of Ph.D. study, Dr. Fridriksson joined the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina. In 2016, he received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR). He is currently serving as the Vice President of Research at the University of South Carolina.
Leonardo Bonilha - Investigator
Leonardo Bonilha, M.D.-Ph.D., a physician scientist and professor of neurology, is the Director for the University of South Carolina Brain Health Program and Senior Associate Dean for Research at the USC School of Medicine in Columbia. Bonilha’s areas of expertise include brain health, aphasia, epilepsy, seizures and language. His research focuses on understanding structural and functional network adaptations to brain injury, particularly regarding language impairments after stroke. Additionally, his studies include neuronal networks associated with epilepsy and their response to treatment. He has participated in four clinical trials within the past 15 years and his research has been featured in more than 300 peer reviewed articles.
Sarah Newman-Norlund - Associate Research Director
Sarah Newman-Norlund is the Associate Research Director and leads the Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) which is a research team dedicated to understanding the factors influencing brain health across the adult lifespan. She graduated from Mary Washington College (VA) with a B.A. in Psychology (2001) and earned her Master’s in Psychological and Brain Sciences (2003) from Dartmouth College. Sarah moved to Columbia, SC with her husband Roger in 2009 from the Netherlands where she worked on an international research project looking at communicative intentions and the brain. She has dedicated her career to research in multiple domains including cancer research, communication, cognition, neuroscience, and pediatric medicine. Everything is better with teamwork, and she loves being a part of ABC and C-STAR. Sarah also enjoys spending time with her three children, hiking, baking, making jewelry, and walking her dog, Bella.
Kelli Powell - Administrative Coordinator
Kelli Powell is the Administrative Assistant in the Aphasia Laboratory. She has a B.S. in Business Administration & Management Science from the Darla Moore School of Business at UofSC. Although originally from southwest Florida, Kelli has called Columbia, SC home since obtaining her degree. In her free time, she loves to travel with her family but can usually be found at a baseball game or Gamecock sporting event.
Sara Sayers - Associate Clinical Director
Sara Sayers is the Associate Director of the Aphasia Lab at the University of South Carolina. She graduated with a B.S. in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007 and a M.S. in Speech Language Pathology at Towson University in 2009. She is an ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist who specializes in adult neurogenic communication disorders. Her current focus is investigating how peoples’ brain health changes as they age as well as the neurological and social-emotional impacts of COVID-19 on recovered individuals. In her free time, Sara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, doing yoga, walking, and trying out new recipes.
Aphasia Lab Personnel and Students
Staff
Mary Aitchison – Speech-Language Pathologist
Mary Aitchison, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Research Associate and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist with the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR). She graduated with her B.A.Sc. degree from the University of Guelph in Canada and was awarded her Master’s (1993) and Ph.D. (2001) in Speech Pathology degrees from the University of South Carolina. With a career over 3 decades, Dr. Aitchison has held positions that allowed her to maintain and share her passion for clinical practice and collaboration in conjunction with teaching, supervision, and research. She served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the USC School of Medicine – Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics, and as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her clinical experience includes specialization in the rehabilitation of adults impacted by stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions.
Allison Croxton – Speech-Language Pathologist
Allison Croxton, M.S.P., CCC-SLP, is a research associate for the Center for the Study for Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR). Raised primarily in Central Kentucky, she moved to Columbia, SC during high school. She graduated from Dreher High School (’94), and earned a B.A. in English from Wofford College (’98). Her interests in language acquisition/recovery, the power of communication, and her desire to work in a field where she could help improve others’ quality of life, led her to pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She graduated in 2000 with her Master of Speech Pathology from the University of South Carolina. Allison is excited to be a part of such important research, and is continually inspired by the individuals and families with whom she works. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her three children, extended family, and friends. She also enjoys walking, yoga, reading, photography & music.
Cissy Farrar – Speech-Language Pathologist
Sandra (Cissy) Farrar, M.C.D., CCC-SLP, is a research associate for the Center for the Study for Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR) and the Speech Neuroscience Lab. She graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Speech Language Pathology in 2001 and a MA in Communication Disorders from the University of South Carolina in 2005. Cissy has held various positions as a Speech Language Pathologist, targeting age groups within early childhood and geriatric populations. Her recent clinical experience focused on rehabilitation of adults affected by stroke and other neurological conditions. Her passion lies in validation and improvement of life’s quality and purpose of individuals experiencing communication deficits. Cissy enjoys outside activities (specifically beach time), playing the piano and spending time with family.
Ben Fisher – Program and Data Resource Manager
Ben Fisher is the Program and Data Resource Manager for the Aphasia Laboratory. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University in African Studies and Journalism and completed graduate coursework in Gender Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario with a focus on LGBT rights discourses in sub-Saharan Africa. His experience working in public health programs, research programs and advocacy organizations inspired his passion for data quality. He is currently working on a Certificate in Information Security and Cyber Leadership from the College of Information and Communications at the University of South Carolina.
Allison Hare – Speech-Language Pathologist
Allison Hare, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Research Program Coordinator at the University of South Carolina. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and from the University of South Carolina with an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. Most recently, Allison worked as an SLP in a variety of medical settings including skilled nursing, long term care, and outpatient rehabilitation, specializing in cognitive and linguistic evaluation and treatment. Her current focus is supporting people with aphasia and other cognitive impairments in their journey of long-term recovery. In her free time, Allison enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, and cooking up new creations in the kitchen.
Research Faculty and Postdoctoral Fellows
Makayla Gibson
Makayla Gibson is a postdoctoral fellow with the Aphasia Lab. A South Carolina native, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health in 2018 and her Ph.D. in Cognitive and Neural Sciences in 2025 at the University of South Carolina. Makayla’s research focuses on investigating factors that impact brain health and stroke outcomes, particularly as seen on MRI. By combining her background in public health with her passion for neuroscience, she hopes to contribute to a better understanding of how lifestyle choices and environmental factors influence our brain’s resilience and recovery from injury. In her spare time, Makayla enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s fishing or combing the beach for shark teeth.
Natalie Hetherington
Natalie (Busby) Hetherington, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow from the UK where she earned both her B.S. in Psychology and Biology and M.Res. in Neuroscience from Newcastle University. She graduated with her doctoral degree from the Neuroscience and Aphasia Unit at the University of Manchester at the end of last year before moving to SC. Her research interests include using neuroimaging, in particular structural connectivity, to investigate language recovery post-stroke. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys travelling and photography.
Sigfus Kristinsson
Sigfus Kristinsson is a Research Assistant Professor in the Aphasia Lab. Sigfus graduated with a B.A. in Icelandic from the University of Iceland and later completed his M.Sc. in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at the University of Iceland. Sigfus worked clinically as an SLP after graduation, primarily providing speech therapy to stroke survivors. He then completed his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 2021. Following completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Kristinsson joined the UofSC Aphasia Lab as a postdoctoral fellow.
Roger Newman-Norlund
Roger Newman-Norlund is a Research Assistant Professor with the Aphasia Lab. He is cognitive neuroscientist interested in how the brain supports language production and comprehension. As a graduate student at Dartmouth College, he mapped brain changes accompanying sound and gesture-based second language acquisition. As part of the Aphasia Lab at the University of South Carolina he uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to understand how the brain changes as people get older, as well as how the brain adapts following traumatic events. He has over a decade of experience in the application of computer technology-based training interventions designed to develop communication skills in clinical populations including stroke, traumatic brain injury and autism.
Nicholas Riccardi
Nicholas Riccardi, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow with the Aphasia Lab. Nick graduated with a B.A. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina. He then completed his Ph.D. in 2023 at the University of South Carolina, where he used neuroimaging and neurostimulation to study how language is organized in the brain. Nick also uses neuroimaging to understand the neural correlates of language impairments post-stroke. He now works primarily with the Aging Brain Cohort, where his focus is on investigating brain health and cognition across the lifespan. He continues to collaborate with the Aphasia Lab and is part of an ongoing effort to establish a South Carolina Alzeihmer’s Disease Research Center.
Doctoral Students
Saeed Ahmadi
Saeed Ahmadi, MS, is a doctoral student who earned his MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran, where he examined the relationship between rapid automatic naming, reaction time, working memory, and executive function in people with aphasia (PWA). Beyond his clinical experience, Saeed has developed software and applications designed to improve communication skills in individuals with communication disorders. His primary research interests lie in the semantic aspects of aphasia, particularly naming, with a focus on leveraging AI and technology to improve communication and quality of life for PWA. In his free time, he enjoys writing, watching soccer, and playing video games.
Alexis Callen
Alexis Callen is a Psychology PhD student in the Cognitive and Neural Sciences program at the University of South Carolina. Originally from Foxborough, MA, she graduated from Boston College with a B.S. in Neuroscience in 2023. She later worked for two years at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, conducting neuroimaging research focused on multiple sclerosis pathology and how it relates to disability. Alexis’ research interests include using neuroimaging techniques to assess functional activity and structural changes in an effort to predict recovery in stroke patients.
Lauren Hammond
Lauren Hammond, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and doctoral student. She graduated from California State University-Fullerton with a B.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders and from California Baptist University with an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology. Most recently, Lauren worked as an SLP in a variety of medical settings including skilled nursing, outpatient rehabilitation, and sub-acute rehabilitation, specializing in adult cognitive and linguistic evaluation and treatment. Lauren’s research interests include formal measurement of functional communication and how psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic features of speech and language use impact quality of life and life participation in persons with aphasia.
Graduate Students
Tori Aichele
Tori Aichele is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. Originally from Fort Wayne, IN, she attended Butler University where she earned her B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences as well as a minor in psychology. Tori is looking forward to making connections and gaining new learning experiences while being a GA in the Aphasia Lab. In her free time, Tori enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing pickleball, and swimming.
Emily Archibald
Emily Archibald is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from High Point, North Carolina and completed her undergraduate degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology with a minor in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (go Vols!). In her free time, she loves spending time with her friends and family, going on walks, exploring new places, and reading. She is excited to work as a graduate assistant in the Aging Brain Cohort and can’t wait to experience all Columbia and USC have to offer!
Caylee Brand
Caylee Brand is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from the Chicago area and got her B.S. in Speech Pathology and Audiology and her B.A. in Strategic Communication at Miami University in Ohio. She was an undergraduate assistant there in a lab studying diagnostic measures for adolescents with DLD and is looking forward to exploring a new area of research throughout her time in the master’s program at USC! In her free time, Caylee enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on walks, and discovering new music.
Sophia Coolsen
Sophia Coolsen is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of South Carolina. She is from New Cumberland, Pennsylvania and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in Communication Science. In her free time she loves to spend time with family and friends, watch movies, and keep active through running and workout classes. She is excited to learn more about the research process in regard to aphasia treatment during her time in the C-STAR/Aphasia Lab as well as continue to explore Columbia!
Peyton Earl
Peyton Earl is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from the Orlando, Florida area and graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in Public Health and minor in Psychology. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with friends and family. She is excited for the opportunity to grow and learn within the Aging Brain Cohort/Aphasia Lab and experience all USC has to offer!
Meg Goebel
Meg Goebel is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of South Carolina. She is from Huntsville, AL, and graduated from the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!) with a degree in Exercise Science. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her cat, tend to her plants, read, and stay active. She is excited to experience Columbia and everything the university has to offer!
Kennedy Howard
Kennedy Howard is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program. I am from Louisville, Kentucky and got my B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders at The University of Kentucky. She is very excited to be working in the Aphasia lab and getting the opportunity to further my knowledge in the field. In her free time, she likes to go on walks, try new restaurants, and listen to music!
Lauren Howse
Lauren Howse is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from Indianapolis, Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University in May 2024 with a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She is excited to be a graduate assistant in the lab and learn more about research within the field of speech pathology! In her free time, Lauren enjoys going on walks, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and reading.
Emily Johnson
Emily Johnson is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from San Antonio, TX and graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders. In her free time, she loves going on walks, traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to be a graduate assistant in the Aphasia lab and explore more of Columbia!
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at USC. She was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and graduated from Florida State University with a B.S in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Psychology. In her free time, she loves to travel and be outside! She is excited to join the lab and have the opportunity to learn more about Aphasia!
Sarah Katon
Sarah Katon is a graduate student at the University of South Carolina’s Speech-Language Pathology program. She is originally from Hilton Head, SC, and she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina with a B.S in Public Health. She is excited to join the Aphasia lab as a graduate assistant. In Sarah’s free time, she enjoys trying new coffee shops, hiking, and reading.
Grace LaFever
Gracie LaFever is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of South Carolina. I am from High Point, North Carolina and graduated from High Point University with a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and a minor in Special Education. In my free time, I love to spend time with my friends and family, travel, read, and stay active by playing pickleball and rock climbing! I am super excited to work as a graduate assistant in the Aging Brain Cohort, make new friends, and explore Columbia!
Claire Niermeier
Claire Niermeier is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from Bristow, Virginia and attended the University of South Carolina receiving her B.A. in Early Childhood Education in 2021. Claire has taught first and second grade the past couple of years but is very excited to jump in and learn the world of Speech-Language Pathology and work as a graduate assistant in the Aphasia Lab! In her free time she loves to try new restaurants, spend time with friends & family, and travel!
Hannah Owings
Hannah Owings is a graduate student in the Speech-Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. Originally from Silver Spring, MD, she earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She is excited to expand her knowledge and build new connections through her role as a graduate assistant in the Aphasia Lab. In her free time, she enjoys being active, surfing, crafting, and being with friends and family.
Megan Rattie
Megan Rattie is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is originally from Clayton, North Carolina, and earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Appalachian State University in May 2025. Megan is a graduate assistant in the Aphasia Lab and looks forward to expanding her research experience and learning more about neurogenic communication disorders. In her free time, Megan enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Kacey Schlais
Kacey Schlais is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of South Carolina. She is from the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from South Carolina with a B.S in Public Health. She is excited to start working with the Aphasia Lab during her graduate studies. Kacey is very interested in learning more about neurogenic disorders as well as the treatment/rehabilitation for individuals with cochlear implants!
Olivia Shields
Olivia Shields is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. Originally from Champaign, IL, she attended the University of Kentucky (Go Cats!), where she earned her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, as well as a minor in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies. Olivia also worked in the Voice and Speech Rehabilitation Research Lab during undergrad, working with oral cancer patients and building a disordered speech database for AI speech recognition assistants (Siri/Alexa). In her free time, Olivia enjoys spending time with friends and family, shopping, and reading.
Rayna Teague
Rayna Teague is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is from North Carolina and graduated from Western Carolina University with a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Special Education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, bullet journaling, and spending time with my friends and family. She is interested in working with adults with neurogenetic communication disorders, so she is very excited to gain valuable knowledge from the Aging Brain Cohort and my graduate studies!
Mary Brooks Wilson
Mary Brooks Wilson is a graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is originally from Seneca, SC but has become very familiar with the Columbia community since attending USC for her undergraduate studies. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and minor in Psychology in May 2025. She previously volunteered in the Aphasia Lab and is very excited to continue connecting with more people as a graduate assistant.
Undergraduate Students
Connor Boyle
Connor Boyle is a sophomore undergraduate student from Myrtle Beach with a major in Neuroscience and a concentration in cellular and molecular neuroscience. He is on a pre-med track and hopes to expand his knowledge of cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging analysis, and the research process with the ABC lab. Outside of his work in ABC, he also works as a Resident Assistant at UofSC. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and trying new food.
Kendall Brown
Kendall Brown is an undergraduate student studying Biological Sciences & Medical Humanities and Culture at the University of South Carolina. She is a sophomore from Charlotte, NC and hopes to attend medical school after graduation! Kendall enjoys pilates, true-crime, painting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She is incredibly excited for this opportunity and hopes to learn more about research and dive into neuroscience!
Ansley Martin
Ansley Martin is a freshman undergraduate student majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior on the pre-medical track. She is looking to study functional connectivity, cognitive, and lifestyle correlations to migraine within the ABC study data. Outside of her work with ABC, Ansley does neuroimaging research on Parkinson’s disease and in her free time she likes to work out and paint with friends!
Neekan Nasiri
Neekan Nasiri is an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina majoring in Neuroscience on a premed track. He is from Daytona Beach and is currently working with the ABC vowel study in the Aphasia Lab; using programs such as Pratt to separate formants in vowel production along with data collection. After graduation in May of 2027, he plans to continue pursuing a career in neuroscience and attend medical school. Neekan enjoys swimming and hanging out with his friends in his free time.
Sriya Pallapothu
Sriya Pallapothu is a sophomore undergraduate student at the South Carolina Honors College. She is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Medical Humanities & Culture. After college, she hopes to attend medical school and become a physician. In her free time, Sriya likes to draw, paint, listen to music, and binge watch TV shows.
Keerthana Rangavajhula
Keerthana Rangavajhula is an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina. She is from Charlotte, North Carolina, but was born and raised in Iowa, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Medical Humanities and Culture. Keerthana is very interested in neurodegenerative disorders, neurological trauma such as concussion as well as neurolinguistics. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in Neurology. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, listening to music, doing art, watching tv, and hanging out with family and friends.
Ava Stienes
Ava Stienes is an undergraduate student in the South Carolina Honors College. She is from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. Ava is very interested in neurologic diseases related to aging. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school and possibly pursue a career in Neurology. In her free time, she enjoys going on hikes, listening to music, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.