People

Kimberly Mueller (Ph.D., CCC-SLP) — Dr. Mueller’s research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms and behavioral aspects of speech and language changes across the spectrum of aging, preclinical Alzheimer’s disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI),  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia, and other forms of dementia. Her work utilizes naturalistic speech-language samples as one means of analyzing and understanding subtle changes to communication. Dr. Mueller is also interested in the design and testing of identification methods of early cognitive change in the presence of AD biomarkers, and multimodal therapeutic interventions to address cognitive-communication difficulties in MCI and dementia due to neurodegenerative disease.

Leah Sanson-Miles — Leah earned her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from Edgewood College. Prior to joining CCANDL as Research Program Manager, she worked as a study coordinator for the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center for nearly 6 years. During that time, she focused primarily on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and early detection of AD related biomarkers. Leah is interested in understanding changes to communication and how they relate to AD biomarkers, and the development of potential therapeutic interventions in those living with MCI and dementia.

Carol Van ​Hulle — Carol earned her graduate degree in psychology with an emphasis on quantitative genetics from the University of Colorado. Dr. Van Hulle has been at UW for over 10 years and currently serves as a biostatistician with Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. She is interested in how speech and communication relate to markers of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.

Kristin Basche — Kristin earned her MPH concentrated in Biostatistics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She currently serves as a biostatistician with the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Kristin is interested in understanding how changes in speech and communication relate to Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers.

Lizzy Sielaff — Lizzy earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Grand Valley State University. Before joining CCANDL as a research specialist, she was an organic chemist as well as a research coordinator for studies in Chemical Education. Lizzy is interested in learning more about how speech and communication relate to cognitive function in individuals with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She is also passionate about health equity and the development of more accessible assessment methods for detecting and monitoring cognitive decline.

Deling He — Deling is a postdoctoral researcher in the lab who recently earned her Ph.D. degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Memphis. She is passionate about incorporating multidisciplinary research to understand the sensory-motor neurocognitive processing of speech (e.g., neural oscillations, speech rhythms, semantic memory). Currently, she is focusing on the early acoustic speech changes of natural spoken language for the risks of Alzheimer’s disease as well as the underlying neuropathological and cognitive mechanisms. She is also interested in fostering open-access research and promoting diversity and inclusion in the academic community.

Madeline Hale — Madeline received her bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, double majoring in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology and Neuroscience. She is currently a student in the MS/PhD program in Speech-Language Pathology at UW-Madison. Madeline is interested in studying the cognitive-communication changes that result from neurodegenerative disease, specifically in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) dementia. She is especially interested in investigating measures of fluency as a possible early detection tool for subtle cognitive changes along the disease spectrum and their relation to AD biomarkers.

Hayley Olson — Hayley received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas in Neuroscience with a minor in Linguistics in 2020. She is currently a student in the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences & Disorders at UW-Madison. Hayley is interested in studying testing measures of language in persons with Aphasia and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), neuroimaging to understand language organization in the brain, and fluency as it pertains to early detection of AD. She is also interested in increasing access to research in underrepresented groups and diversifying AD research.

Amanda DeWitt — Amanda holds a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders and an MA-LIS with a concentration in Data Management and Analytics, both earned from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to doctoral study, she served as academic staff on multiple interdisciplinary research teams focused on investigating the relationships between behavioral, biological, and social-contextual factors and cognitive and neuropathologic outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Her research interests include speech and language change in the context of ADRD, robust and accessible speech-language based cognitive assessment techniques, and the relationship between social determinants of health and cognitive outcomes.

Phoebe Crumpton — Phoebe (she/her) is a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) and a doctoral student in the communication sciences and disorders (CS&D) department at UW-Madison. She earned both her B.A. in CS&D and her M.S. in SLP from UW-Madison. Phoebe completed her SLP clinical fellowship at the New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque. She has worked clinically with patients across the lifespan in both medical and educational settings. Her research interests center on identifying effective, modified counseling strategies for individuals with cognitive-communication disorders and their care partners, particularly those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She is also interested in the development of an evidence-based counseling protocol tailored for SLPs.

Alexis Thompson — Alexis earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communication Sciences and Disorders with Honors in the Liberal Arts. She is currently a second-year graduate student at UW-Madison working towards her doctorate in Audiology (AuD). Alexis is interested in exploring the connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline and is very excited to work with CCANDL!

Pajnra Xiong — Pajnra earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Neurobiology and Communication Sciences and Disorders with a certificate in Asian American Studies with Hmong emphasis.  She is currently a second-year graduate student at UW-Madison and working towards a clinical MS in Speech-Language Pathology.  She is open to exploring all specialties and working with all age groups.  She is delighted to be a part of the CCANDL Lab and to learn from all of the lab members!

Lily Leicht — Lily is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with certificates in Disability Rights and Services and Promoting Activity for Diverse Abilities. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and is grateful to have the opportunity in undergrad to explore her populations of interest, including working with individuals with autism, strokes, TBIs, and dementia. Lily is so happy and grateful to be a part of the CCANDL team!

Hannah Dassow — Hannah is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with certificates in Disability Rights and Services and Promoting Activity for Diverse Abilities. Hannah plans to attend graduate school and become a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. She is so excited to be a part of the CCANDL lab and learn from this incredible team!

Anna Johnson — Anna is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a certificate in Global Health. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology or Public Health to help ensure people have access to speech pathologists!  She is grateful to further her education about dementia and the health impacts through CCANDL and can’t wait to learn from and grow with this welcoming team!

Anikka Baker — Anikka is a second-year undergraduate studying neurobiology. She plans to attend graduate school for pharmacy and research pharmaceutical treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. She is excited to learn more about neurogenic disorders as a part of the CCANDL team!

Rachel Weinberg — Rachel is a second-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and feels grateful for this opportunity to grow in a field she is passionate about. Through her involvement with the CCANDL Lab, Rachel is excited to explore her interests in dementia, traumatic brain injury, and other neurogenic communication disorders. She is excited to be a part of the dedicated team in the CCANDL lab!

Adelaide Lilla — Adelaide is a second-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with certificates in Disability Rights and Services, Promoting Activity for Diverse Abilities, and Entrepreneurship. She is passionate about exploring populations impacted by neurogenic disorders, including autism, stroke, TBI, and dementia. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology and is excited to gain research experience through her involvement with the CCANDL Lab. She is grateful to be part of such a dedicated and welcoming team!

Hannah Cozad — Hannah is a third-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. She is grateful and excited to expand her knowledge of dementia, traumatic brain injury, and other neurogenic communication disorders through her involvement with CCANDL. Her experience with CCANDL will set her up for great success in her future, as she intends to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology. She is deeply thankful for such an opportunity and people!

Payton Eilers — Payton is a third-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders and History with a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. Payton plans to attend graduate school to become a Speech-Language Pathologist with special interests in Dementia, TBI, and the Veteran populations. She is excited to work with the CCANDL team and build her understanding of neurogenic disorders as well as research within the CS&D field!