University of Wisconsin–Madison

People

Lab Director

Professional headshot of Kimberly Mueller, who is smiling. She has shoulder-length dark brown hair and is wearing a black shirt and a thin silver necklace. She also has dangling silver rectangular earrings in. The background behind her is dark gray.
Kimberly Mueller

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.

Grad Students, Postdocs, and Staff

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Leah Sanson-Miles

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.

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Carol Van ​Hulle

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.

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Kristin Basche

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.

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Deling He

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.

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Madeline Hale

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.

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Hayley Olson

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.

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Amanda DeWitt

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.

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Phoebe Crumpton

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.

Student Researchers

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Alexis Thompson

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!

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Sofia James

Sofia James — Sofia earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Linguistics and Communication Disorders and Sciences from the University of Oregon. She is currently a first-year graduate student in the Clinical MS Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Sofia is interested in speech disfluencies, discourse production, and how language and motor changes interact in different neurological conditions. She is excited to be a part of CCANDL!

Lily Leicht — Lily earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. She is currently a first-year graduate student at UW-Madison in the MS Speech-Language Pathology program. Lily’s current interests are in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and post-stroke and post-TBI speech and language disorders, but she loves exploring all areas of the field. Being part of the CCANDL team is a highlight of her experience at UW-Madison!

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Hannah Dassow

Hannah Dassow — Hannah earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Communication Sciences and Disorders with certificates in Disability Rights & Services and Promoting Activity for Diverse Abilities.  She is currently a first-year graduate student at UW-Madison and working towards a MS in Speech-Language Pathology.  She is open to exploring all specialties and is particularly interested in children with hearing loss.  She loves being a part of the CCANDL Lab and spending time with the other lab members!

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Anikka Baker

Anikka Baker — Anikka is a second-year undergraduate studying neurobiology. She plans to pursue a career in Alzheimer’s Disease research to contribute to a greater understanding of the disorder. She is excited to learn more about neurogenic disorders as a part of the CCANDL team!

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Rachel Weinberg

Rachel Weinberg — Rachel is a third-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!

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Adelaide Lilla

Adelaide Lilla — Adelaide is a third-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 has long curly brown hair. She is wearing a brown t-shirt and jeans. She has clear glasses on as well as a pink crossbody bag. Behind her is a large shrub with purple flowers and sidewalk.
Hannah Cozad

Hannah Cozad — Hannah is a fourth-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!

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Payton Eilers

Payton Eilers — Payton is a fourth-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!

Maddie has long brown hair that is tied back. She is crouched on the ground wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants. She is on the sidewalk with orange flowers in the grass along the sides and trees and blue sky in the background.
Maddie Minser

Maddie Minser — Maddie is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Communication Sciences & Disorders and Linguistics with a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology with particular interests in conditions impacting the aging population, such as dementia, TBI, and stroke. She is so grateful to explore these interests as part of this dedicated and welcoming team!

Natalie has long brown hair. She is wearing a white t-shirt and a dark skirt. There is a concrete half wall directly behind her and in the background is the sunset and a city surrounded by a mountain.
Natalie Grant

Natalie Grant — Natalie is a second-year undergraduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders. She plans to attend graduate school for Speech Language Pathology. Then, plans to go on to work in a school setting, as she is passionate about helping students learn and communicate with the world. Through CCANDL she is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to expand her knowledge and learn from many exceptional people in the lab.

Lab Alumni

CCANDL extends many thanks to every lab member who has joined our team for making CCANDL the successful lab it is today. We wish every member well in their future endeavors.

Hannah Belay

Elizabeth Dunn

Elizabeth Evans

Kristina Fiscus

Erin Forsyth

Marissa Gall

Brooklyn Hackbarth

Erin Hackett

Tanna Brubaker

Emily Hines

Lauren Auleciems

Maddie Wherley

Frances Violante

Camryn Streid

Lauren Collins

Lizzy Sielaff

Audra Koscik

Sarah Kraning

Sophia Linsenmeyer

Aarya Parikh

Cassandra Peters

Sarah Riedeman

Rachael Look

Chris Naber

Emma Gale

Kelly Longhini

Esmma Almousa

Marissa Todd

Erin Bruehlman

Douglas Cowman

Matt Froze

Anna Johnson

Sydney Wellenstein

Beth Fentress

Halley Dopp

Phoebe Crumpton

George Kostas

Sarah Rynke

Claire Terp

Alayna Miller

Caroline Downey

Elena Farley

Olivia Goulette

Caitlyn Miller

Isabelle Poulack

Verhonica Stephen Raj

Pajnra Xiong