Our Team

Sandy Snyder, B.S.

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 Sebranek

Speech-Language Pathologist and PhD Student

Emily is an acute care speech language pathologist who has joined the lab as a research assistant prior to beginning her PhD at Purdue this coming fall. She earned a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as an M.S. in Speech Language Pathology from Midwestern University-Glendale. She went on to complete the clinical fellowship program at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, and has since continued her clinical practice in the trauma 1 setting. She is excited to return to the Big Ten and combine her strong interests in research, teaching, and treating patients with acquired brain injury. Outside of the lab she enjoys running, traveling, and watching sports!

Lauren Marsh

Undergrad Research Assistant

Lauren Marsh is a senior majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology. Lauren joined this lab because she is very interested in the neurocognitive side of speech therapy. Lauren is also interested in seeing how language recovers from certain injuries to the brain and working with adults is something she finds enjoyable. Lauren is involved at NSSHLA at Purdue, and a national member of ASHA. She enjoys exercising everyday whether that be lifting or going for a run! Lauren also enjoys reading and spending time with her family in her free time. Purdue has already opened so many educational opportunities for Lauren, and the professionals here inspire her. She is looking forward to working in the ABC lab!

Abigail DePaul

Undergrad Research Assistant

Abby DePaul is a sophomore majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a double minor in Spanish and Dance. Abby joined the ABC Lab because she wanted to learn more about the long-term effects of certain disorders of the brain. Additionally, she wanted to better understand the impairments these disorders cause and how we can improve or supplement the lives of those with traumatic brain injury or aphasia. At Purdue, Abby is a part of the John Martinson Honors College. She is also a member of both the Purdue and National chapters of NSSLHA (National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association) and the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company. In her free time, she loves to dance and has been dancing for almost her whole life. Abby also loves to read, spend time with friends, and go on walks with her dogs! Abby is looking forward to everything she will learn from being a part of the ABC Lab!

Carlie Morris

Undergrad Research Assistant

Carlie Morris is a sophomore majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics. 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 much more. In her free time, she enjoys reading a good book, working out, and playing with her dogs.

Anna Huston

Undergrad Research Assistant

Anna Huston is a sophomore double majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and Brain and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Anna joined the lab in the fall of 2022. She took her first SLHS course with Dr. LaCroix and thought she would be a great mentor. Anna is very interested in the cognitive side of speech and wanted to dive into this field as soon as possible. The ABC lab was a great fit! At Purdue, Anna is involved in National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, Greek life and College mentors for kids. In her free time, she likes to read, workout and spend time with friends and family. Anna is grateful for the opportunity to be involved in research and is excited to be a part of the ABC lab!

Madeline Teal

Undergrad Research Assistant

Madeline Teal is a Senior studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She joined the ABC lab because she wanted to deepen her knowledge of acquired brain injuries and the subsequent effects on cognition so that she can be a part of improving lives of individuals who struggle with these injuries. Other than the lab she is also involved in Purdue’s NSSLHA chapter. Outside of school Madeline enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her friends.

Courtney Gilman

Undergrad Research Assistant

Courtney is a junior majoring in Speech Language and Hearing Science as well as minoring in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. She joined the lab in fall of 2023 because she loves learning about the brain and what occurs after traumatic brain injury. She thought the ABC lab would be the perfect place to learn more about here interests and gain knowledge that will help her as a future SLP. At Purdue she is a member of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association and the forensic science club. She also is one of the captains of the Purdue Women’s Rugby team and has been playing rugby for 7 years. In her free time she loves to hang out with friends, workout and color.

Michaela Herwig 

Undergrad Research Assistant

Michaela Herwig is a senior studying Speech Language and Hearing Sciences. She joined the ABC lab summer of 2023 to deepen her knowledge of acquired brain injuries and the subsequent effects on cognition. Michaela is also a part of the varsity swim team here at Purdue.

Amanda Rickert

Undergrad Research Assistant

Amanda Rickert is a sophomore studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Science. She has been a member of the lab since Fall 2022. Amanda joined the lab because she wanted to learn more about acquired brain disorders and language disorders, having learned about these topics from Dr. LaCroix’s communicative disorders class. She is interested in exploring how disorders occur and affect people’s daily life. She saw the lab as a great opportunity for hands-on learning and experience within the SLP field. Outside of the lab, she is a copyeditor at The Exponent, a member of Purdue’s National Student Speech- Language and Hearing Association and a panhellenic sorority. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, watching TV and listening to music.  

Jenna Siefert

Undergrad Research Assistant

Jenna is a sophomore majoring in speech, language, and hearing sciences with minors in psychology, linguistics, and spanish. She joined the lab in fall 2023. Jenna became interested in stroke effects on the brain after my first SLHS class: Intro to Communicative Disorders. Jenna figured the ABC lab would be a great fit, as it explores stroke and TBI effects on the brain with cognition and language. She is also involved in the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, World Health Purdue, the Honors College, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Adopt-a-Grandparent. Outside of the lab, Jenna enjoys being with friends and family, reading, working out, and just being outside. She is excited to be working with the ABC lab and its team!

Gracie Jutte

Undergrad Research Assistant

Gracie Jutte is a Sophomore majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing sciences with a minor in Human Development and Family Sciences. Gracie joined the lab in Fall of 2023. After taking the introduction SLHS course she became very interested in the acquired brain injuries and thought the ABC lab would be a good place to learn more about it! She is excited for the opportunity to learn in a more hands-on way. Outside of lab, Gracie is involved in Cooperative life as well as horticulture club. In her free time she enjoys being outside and spending time with family and friends. She is excited and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the ABC lab!

Abigail Peterson

Undergrad Research Assistant

Abby Peterson is a senior majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with a double minor in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology. Abby wanted to join this lab because after taking a class learning about cognitive brain injuries, it had sparked an interest in her and she wanted to learn more. Abby really enjoys learning about the topics of Aphasia and TBI and figured this lab would be a perfect fit for her special interests. Abby figured this lab would be good to expand her interests and knowledge and allow her to gain new experiences with research in ways she had never thought of before. Outside of the lab Abby is in a committee for Dance Marathon where she raises money for Riley Hospital for Children. In this club her and other members plan events and fundraisers all throughout the school year raising money to benefit the children at the hospital. Abby is also a member of Purdue’s National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. Outside of Purdue, Abby is an avid reader, baker, and runner. She loves to spend time with friends and family, listen to music, and spend time outside.