Our Team

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Thea Knowles, PhD CCC-SLP

    I am an Assistant Professor in Communicative Sciences & Disorders at Michigan State University. Previously I was an Assistant Professor in Communicative Disorders and Sciences department at the University at Buffalo. I completed a combined MClSc/PhD in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) and Health & Rehab Sciences (Speech & Language Science) at Western University in London, Ontario (🇨🇦).

  • Aishwarya Ramani, MS. ASLP

    I am a certified audiologist and a speech-language pathologist from India. I completed my undergraduate (BASLP) from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India, and my Master’s (MASLP) from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, India. I have seven years of experience in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology, with a specialty in voice and voice disorders. Before coming to MSU, I worked as a researcher and consultant in a community-based hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. I am currently in my third year of the Doctoral program at MSU.

    My research interests include the effects of vocal loading in professional voice users, individuals with Parkinson's disease and elderly population.

  • Maura Philippone, MA. CCC-SLP

    I am currently a PhD student at Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI). My primary research interests include investigating ways to optimize voice/speech interventions for individuals with neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease) through approaches such as gamification. I earned my undergraduate degree from The University of Maine (Orono, ME), and earned my master's degree from The George Washington University (Washington, DC). I am the founder/co-director of Forward Focus (Instagram: @forwardfocusonvoice), a monthly voice journal club for voice enthusiasts to connect and discuss current findings in voice research. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to make the CSD field more inclusive, affirming, and equitable through my research and professional work.

  • Sara Cook

    I am currently a first-year Master's student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University. I earned my undergraduate degree from MSU with a double major in Linguistics and CSD, which fueled my interest in the intersection of language and neurological conditions. My research focuses on working with adults who have acquired neurological speech disorders, and I also have particular interest in how dialects and multilingualism influence these disorders and their treatment. In my free time, I enjoy baking and crocheting.

  • Brooke Emerick

    I am currently a senior at MSU majoring in Communicative Sciences and Disorders with a double minor in Cognitive Science and Bioethics. I am an undergraduate research assistant in both the SONIC Lab and LiTL Lab at MSU. In my free time I like to play my instruments and crochet!

  • Chloe Glabach

    I am a sophomore at MSU majoring in neuroscience and an undergraduate assistant in the SONIC Lab. I am interested in healthcare and research focused on different neurological and speech disorders. In my free time, I skate on MSU's synchronized figure skating team!

  • Alison Garon

    My name is Alison, I am a 4th year student here at MSU majoring in communicative sciences and disorders with a minor in cognitive science. I am interested in working with the elderly community after I complete a graduate program. Outside of school I enjoy reading, crocheting, baking, and traveling.