Our Team

Teresa Girolamo, PhD, Lab Director

CV | personal website | mentorship statement

Teresa is an Assistant Professor in the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She is a former special education teacher who received her Ph.D. in Child Language from the University of Kansas. Her research examines how language, together with environmental influences, shape experiences and outcomes of youth and adults. She works with autistic and nonautistic individuals. The goal of this research is to translate findings into community-based supports. Outside the lab, Teresa likes hiking, running, and adopting geriatric poodles.

Abby John, PhD candidate, CCC-SLP

Abby is a doctoral candidate in the Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders at San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego completing a lab rotation in BELL. As a speech-language pathologist, their research centers on improving assessment and intervention practices for children with language and communication disabilities using holistic, family-centered, and evidence-based clinical methods. They are currently leading a collaboration with UConn on culturally and linguistically sensitive assessment for minimally speaking autistic youth.

Artah Yamin, MA-SLP student

Artah is currently a second year M.A. student at San Diego State University in the Speech-Language Pathology program. She received her B.A. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at SDSU. Artah enjoys learning and helping her community, during her freetime. Her academic interests include anything revolving around learning about the brain, aphasia, literacy skills in children, research, and child language disorders. Artah’s hobbies include reading, spending time in nature, and visiting new places in San Diego.

Abigail Asare, BA Student

Abigail Asare is a first year-undergraduate student at San Diego State University from Olympia, Washington, and a Weber Honors College Research Fellow. She is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and Child and Family Development. In the future she hopes to become a speech-language pathologist and work with children in an elementary school setting. Also, she is interested in learning how the environment shapes language and social development. Outside of her studies, she enjoys listening to music, traveling, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family!

Makenna Bailey, BA Student

Makenna is a third-year undergraduate student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at San Diego State University from Seattle, Washington. Her research interests include developing new techniques for assessment and treatment. As a member of NSSLHA, she looks forward to becoming more involved in the SLHS Community, specifically through joining a research lab! In her free time, she enjoys a relaxing beach day with friends and trying new recipes! 

Ainsley Jennieve Perez, BA Student

Ainsley is a fourth-year transfer student at San Diego State University from the Bay Area. She is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, with a minor in Child and Family Development. Her plan is to become a speech-language pathologist serving children on the autism spectrum and to be an advocate for neurodiversity in the Filipino community, spreading awareness and knowledge to de-stigmatize autism and neurodivergence. Ainsley is a NSSLHA student representative, executive board member of Andrés Bonifacio Samahan, and an Asian Pacific Student Alliance member. Outside her campus pursuits, her hobbies include journaling and film photography! 

Kelsey Lam, BA Student

Kelsey is a third-year undergraduate student, majoring in psychology and linguistics at San Diego State University. She is from Orange County, California and has aspirations to pursue clinical psychology in the future. She is interested in how people learn and process language from a linguistic and cognitive perspective. Aside from that, she enjoys thrifting, learning languages, and dancing.

Natalie Raviv, BA student

Natalie is a third-year undergraduate student at San Diego State University, where she is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Psychology, with minors in Counseling and Child Family Development. She aspires to become a speech-language pathologist, focusing on working with children in both school and hospital settings. Outside of her studies, Natalie enjoys baking and listening to music.

Minnie Stanford, BA student

Minnie is a third-year undergraduate student at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is studying Psychology and Public Health with the hopes of entering the field of Speech-Language Pathology. She is passionate about working with children. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her friends and trying new restaurants. 

Emily Zhang, BA student

Emily is a second-year undergraduate student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at San Diego State University. She has always been passionate about language processing and how environmental factors shape bilingualism. In the future, she aspires to become a medical speech-language pathologist, being able to help people of all ages communicate better over the course of their treatment. Outside of the classroom, Emily enjoys taking walks, cooking, and spending time with her cat.

William Nguyen, High School Intern

William is a senior high school student at Westview High School in San Diego. He plans to pursue a future career in medicine, with a keen interest in neurology and radiology. His research interests include neuroscience, translational research, and clinical investigations. Outside of research, William enjoys working on his nonprofit organization “Project Binary” and volunteering at a local hospital. In his leisure time, William finds joy in hanging out with friends, indulging in indoor and beach volleyball, and listening to music. William aims to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare arena in the years to come.