Our Team

Sandy Snyder

Lab Manager

Sandy Snyder has been a Research Associate in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences for the past 14 years. She joined the ABC lab in the summer of 2023. She schedules participants for studies being conducted within the laboratory, collects data from participants, directs and organizes the undergraduate and graduate students regarding lab tasks, and assists with data file management and analysis. Sandy studied kinesiology and agriculture economics previously at Purdue.

Emily Bauman

Speech-Language Pathologist

Emily Bauman has worked in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences in a variety of positions since 2017.  She joined the ABC lab in the fall of 2023. Primary responsibilities in the ABC lab include recruitment and testing of participants, especially people with aphasia. Emily earned her M.S. from Purdue University.  Emily is a certified Speech Language Pathologist and licensed in the state of Indiana. 

Emily Lenz

Speech-Language Pathologist and PhD Student

Emily is a PhD student and certified speech-language pathologist. She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Midwestern University-Glendale. Her research interests include the intersection between language and cognitive recovery post-stroke, and how this is impacted by typical aging processes. These research interests are driven by her clinical background in the acute-inpatient setting, as she has trained in multiple high acuity facilities specialized in trauma and neurosurgery. 

Svetlana Kuptsova

Postdoctoral Researcher

Svetlana Kuptsova is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. Prior to joining Purdue University, she worked as a neuropsychologist at the Center for Speech Pathology and Neurorehabilitation, Moscow, Russia, simultaneously working part-time at the Center for Language and Brain at the National Research University HSE and Laboratory of General and Clinical Neurophysiology at the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS. Also, she worked as a lecturer at the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University and taught 3-rd year students in the Department of Clinical Psychology.

In her research, Dr. Kuptsova uses a combination of neuropsychological, neuroimaging (e.g., structural MRI, functional MRI), and behavioral methodologies to investigate language, cognitive deficits (especially in attention and memory), and neural recovery mechanisms in individuals with and without aphasia after brain damage (e.g., stroke, TBI). 

Addison Vogt

PhD Student Researcher

Addison joined the lab in spring of 2025 for her last PULSe rotation.  While studying psychology as an undergrad, she became interested in cognitive impairments as a result of brain trauma.  In her free time Addison enjoys spending time with her friends, watching movies, and coaching volleyball.  She is excited to learn more about the lab and the research we do here! 

Aethiopia Joseph-Salmon

PhD Student Researcher

Aethiopia joined the lab in Fall 2025 as a PhD student. As someone who was interested in the cognitive effects caused by diseases and disorders, she wanted to find a lab that was general enough for her to learn more while honing on specific interests. Believe it or not, there are not many labs like this one! Outside of the lab, Aethiopia is also involved in BGSA and she enjoys singing in her free time. 
 

Abby DePaul

Masters Student Researcher

Abby DePaul is a first-year MS-SLP student. She joined the ABC Lab during her undergraduate years in the Fall of 2022 because she wanted to get involved in research at Purdue and learn more about aphasia as well as the relationship between characteristics of speech and how they are processed in the brain. She is also interested to see how research can increase our knowledge of the impairments associated with diagnoses (such as aphasia and TBI), and then how research can impact the clinical field in improving therapy techniques and interventions. In her free time, she likes to dance, read, run, and spend time with family and friends. Abby is excited to take part in the collaborative research process and be a part of the ABC Lab! 

Zoe Zhang

Masters Student Researcher

Zoe is a first-year MS-SLP student. She joined the lab in the Fall of 2025 to learn more about aphasia, cognition, and the implications of research on current clinical practice. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her two cats, reading, diamond painting, working out, and going on Wikipedia.

Carlie Morris

Research Assistant

Carlie is a research assistant in the lab. Carlie joined the Lab in the spring 2023 semester. She became interested in aphasia and the effects of traumatic brain injuries after she learned about them in her first semester at Purdue. Carlie felt that this lab would help her expand her knowledge of said topics and have real world experience with individuals with Aphasia or TBI’s. Carlie earned her Bachelor of Science at Purdue in 2025. In her free time, she enjoys reading a good book, working out, and playing with her dog, Jack and cat, Tito.

Rose Ramirez

Research Assistant

Rose is a junior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in psychology, she was drawn to the complexities of acquired brain and language disorders after taking Dr. LaCroix’s Intro to Communicative Disorders course. This course sparked a deep curiosity within Rose, leading to her decision to join the ABC Lab in Fall 2023. Being part of this lab has allowed Rose to explore the intricate connections between brain injury and language impairment. She is eager to continue delving into research that contributes to a better understanding of these challenges. Outside the lab, Rose likes to engage in a variety of hobbies such as running, cooking, gardening, and reading, to name a few.
She looks forward to further developing her research skills and making meaningful contributions to the work being done at the ABC lab.

Rebecca Reine

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Rebecca is a sophomore studying Biomedical Health Sciences on a Pre-PA track with a minor in psychology. She joined the lab in Fall of 2025 after meeting Gracie Jutte and learning more about the research ABC lab is committed to, she thought she would enjoy assisting in these topics. Outside of the lab she is involved in Cooperative living, Women in Healthcare at Purdue, and Purdue ALDPES. In her free time she enjoys hiking, travelling, reading, and spending time with friends/family. Rebecca is very excited to be a part of ABC lab.

Madge Giorgio

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Madge is a Sophomore studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Critical Disability Studies. She joined the lab in the Fall of 2025 after speaking with Courtney Gilman about her time in the lab and was thrilled to learn more. She became interested in acquired language disorders after briefly learning about Aphasia in Dr. LaCroix’s guest lecture in her SLHS 115 class. She thought that joining the lab would allow her to learn more about the effects of strokes on the brain through hands-on experience. Outside of the Lab, Madge is a member of Greek Life on campus as well as a rower on Purdue Crew. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks, reading, needlepointing, and cooking. 

Miriam Steele

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Miriam Steele is a freshman double-majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Brain and Behavioral Sciences, with a certificate in Gerontology. She joined the ABC Lab in Spring 2026 after taking SLHS 115 her first semester with Dr. LaCroix, where she developed a strong interest in cognition, brain injury, and working with older adult populations. These interests led her to attend Dr. LaCroix’s office hours to learn more about research involvement, and she was excited to accept an offer to join the lab the following semester. At Purdue, Miriam is involved in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Science Association and the Purdue Gymnastics Club. Outside of the classroom and lab, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching Purdue basketball in Mackey Arena, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Miriam is excited to grow as a researcher and contribute to the work of the ABC Lab.

Ginny LaCroix

ABC Lab Lab

Ginny joined the lab in summer of 2025. Her research interests include lunch, long walks, and the wires under the tables. Ginny’s main focus in lab is emotional support and increasing energy in the work environment. We are so thankful to have Ginny as a part of the team!