Principal Director
Sara Benham, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Benham’s research focuses on phonological and lexical development in toddlers and preschoolers with and without speech and language disorders. She uses transcription-based approaches, acoustic analyses, and motion tracking to assess speech production, as well as approaches from network science to detect principles of word and sound organization in the developing child.
Dr. Benham completed her PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas, mentored by Lisa Goffman, and was a post-doctoral research fellow at Indiana University, mentored by Linda Smith.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Megan Moriarty
I am a senior majoring in communication sciences & disorders with minors in psychology and special education. My interests include children’s language development, and I plan on working with children in my future career. At UVM, I am also a member of NSSLHA and the CSD Honor Society.
Isabella DeNault - Honors Thesis Student
I am a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychological science. My research interests focus on speech sound disorders and children's language development, and I plan to attend graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist. Outside of academics, I enjoy hiking, playing bass in the symphony orchestra, and spending time with friends.
Melissa Kas
I am a junior majoring in psychological science with a minor in communication sciences and disorders, and my research interests include how language develops in childhood.
Mia Dulchinos
I am a sophomore majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in special education. I am very interested in language disorders and how language develops in children. In my free time I love to run, bake, and spend times with my friends and family!
Grace Hendra
I am a senior majoring in psychological science with a minor in communication sciences and disorders. I am interested in children's language development, specifically those on the autism spectrum. I spend my free time writing and playing original music.
Robin Brody
I am a senior majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Special Education and Health and Society. I am interested in working with either children or adults and am specifically interested in language development and acquisition. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with friends, baking, long walks, and ice cream!
Brendan Donohue
I am a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychology. My research interests include childhood language development and language disorders throughout the lifespan. I plan on attending graduate school to continue research and become a clinically practicing speech language pathologist. I am a member of the UVM chapter of NSSLHA and the CSD Honor Society. Outside of the research lab, I spend my time playing sports, hiking, and camping.