Current CSD PhD Students
Vestibular and Balance Lab, Principal Investigator: Dr. Ashley G. Flagge
Education:
B.S., 2011, Utah State University, Logan, UT
Au.D., 2015, Utah State University, Logan, UT
Research Description:
Eric’s current research examines vestibular and balance function in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets undergoing Army Combat Fitness Training (ACFT) compared to a control group of healthy non- to lightly-active peers by assessing the peripheral and central vestibular function through assessing the three vestibular reflexes, as measured by the video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), the Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (oVEMP), the cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP), and the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (m-CTSIB).
If differences between these groups are found, results may support the Army’s efforts to maintain Soldier readiness and add further importance to the new ACFT. Additionally, the results of the study could be used to help reduce preventable injuries related to balance by implementing physical training routines that improve vestibular and balance function. The results could also be used to help tailor rehabilitation programs for those who have experienced a vestibular dysfunction or balance impairment.
Vestibular and Balance Lab, Principal Investigator: Dr. Ashley G. Flagge
Education:
B.S., 2019, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Research Description:
Alexandria’s areas of research include vestibular assessment and management, as well as noise-induced hearing loss. Recently, her research has focused on how personality traits and anxiety affect balance perception and objective vestibular function in normal and disordered populations.
Awards:
ASHA Audiology/Hearing Science Research Travel Award (2022)
Outstanding Audiology Student Scholarship, Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama (2022)
Tim Holston Audiology Endowed Scholarship, University of South Alabama (2021)
Publications:
Greene, A., Flagge, A.G., & Stanley, N. (2023). Factors affecting use of vestibular and/or balance screening measures among audiologists and physical therapists in patients reporting dizziness. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice.
Presentations:
Flagge, A.G. & Greene, A.W. (2024) Is anxiety making my dizziness worse? The role of anxiety and stress in vestibular/balance diagnosis and management. Clinical session. Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama annual convention. Birmingham, AL.
Flagge, A.G., Adams. E.M., Greene, A.W. (2022) Putting a better spin on vestibular screeners: Are they really useful in clinical practice? Virtual Clinical Session
Greene, A.W. & Flagge, A.G. (2022) Factors affecting the use of vestibular screening measures among audiologists and physical therapists in patients reporting dizziness. Technical Research Session. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association annual convention. New Orleans, LA.
Adult Speech & Language Lab, Principal Investigator: Dr. Kimberly G. Smith
Education:
B.S., Psychology, 2013, University of Alabama- Birmingham
B.S., Speech & Hearing Sciences, 2015, University of South Alabama
M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, 2017, University of South Alabama
Research Description:
Jordan’s current research interests focus on investigation of the use of acoustical and eye movement measures for measurement of implicit and explicit reading prosody, as well as the role of reading prosody on comprehension in neurotypical adults and individuals with aphasia and concomitant alexia. Additional interests include: person-centered assessment and interventions for aphasia, alexia, and apraxia of speech; as well as student perceptions and observed impacts of the use of alternative teaching methods (i.e., team based learning, standards based grading, interprofessional collaboration) in the classroom.
Awards:
Graduate Student Activities Enhancement Award, University of South Alabama (2023)
Publications:
Smith, K. G., & Lins, J. (2024). Oral reading fluency and comprehension in persons with alexia and aphasia. Aphasiology, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/02687038.2024.2314323
Lins, J., & Smith, K.G. (2024). Oral reading prosody in persons with aphasia: A preliminary investigation. [Manuscript in revision for publication].
Presentations:
Lins, J., Smith, K. G., & Ford, K. (2017). Analysis of oral reading in individuals with aphasia. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association, Los Angeles, CA.
Smith, K.G., & Lins, J. (May 2023). Association between single-word reading and connected-text reading comprehension in persons with aphasia. Virtual poster presented at the annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
Lins, J. & Smith, K.G., (May 2023). Oral reading prosody in persons with aphasia. Poster presented at the annual Clinical Aphasiology Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
Lins, J., & Smith, K.G. (2023). Oral reading prosody in persons with aphasia: A pilot study. Poster presented at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association, Boston, MA.
Lins, J. & Smith, K.G., (Spring 2023). Oral reading prosody and comprehension in persons with aphasia: A pilot study. Poster presented at the University of South Alabama Graduate Research Symposium, Mobile, AL.
Smith, K.G., & Lins, J. (Spring 2023). Treatment of acquired reading impairments in persons with aphasia. Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama annual conference, Birmingham, AL.
Lins, J. (2024). Evidence based and person-centered treatment methods for Apraxia of Speech. Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama Annual Conference, Birmingham, AL.
Laurel Elise Money-Nolan, PhD Candidate
Vestibular and Balance Lab, Principal Investigator: Dr. Ashley G. Flagge
Education:
B.S., 2018, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL
Research Description:
Elise’s research interests include vestibular assessment, physical training for vestibular rehabilitation, and auditory evoked & event-related potentials. Her pre-dissertation examined the effects of yoga training on physical and functional measures of the balance system. Her dissertation project will use auditory event-related potentials to evaluate how cognitive processing might be impacted during a standing balance task in a dual-task paradigm.
Awards:
ASHA Student Research Grant in Audiology (2022)
Audiology Students at the ASHA Convention (2022)
ASHA Audiology/Hearing Science Research Travel Award (2018)
Publications:
Money-Nolan, L.E. & Flagge, A.G. (2023). Factors Affecting Variability in Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Gain in the Video Head Impulse Test in Individuals without Vestibulopathy: A Systematic Review of Literature. Frontiers in Neurology, 14. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1125951
Money-Nolan, L. E. & Shelley-Tremblay, J. (2023). Theories of Semantic Processing. In J. Guendouzi, F. Loncke, & M. J. Williams (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Psycholinguistic and Cognitive Processes: Perspectives in Communication Disorders. Psychology Press.
Money, L. E. & Ramkissoon, I. (2020). Effects of Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Noise Exposure on Tinnitus Occurrence in College Students and Adolescents. Journal of the American Academy Audiology, 31(4): 286-291. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.19032
Presentations:
Money-Nolan, L.E. Clinical Use of Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEPs): Recent Advances in the Literature. Louisiana Speech-Language Hearing Association CEU Event 2023.
Money-Nolan, L.E., Flagge, A.G., & Adams, E.M. (2022). The Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT): Variability of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Gain in Individuals without Vestibulopathy. Oral seminar. American Speech Language Hearing Association Convention 2022. New Orleans, LA.
Money-Nolan, L.E. & Ramkissoon, I. R. (2022). Secondhand Smoke and Noise Effects on Tinnitus Occurrence: Influence of Exposure Duration, Environment, and Age. Poster session. American Speech Language Hearing Association Convention 2022. New Orleans, LA.
Dysphagia Research Lab, Principal Investigator: Dr. Courtney Broadfoot
Education:
B.A., Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2015, University of Northern Iowa
M.A., Speech-Language Pathology, 2017, University of Northern Iowa
Research Description:
Michele is interested in studying speech and swallowing function in persons with neurological conditions, particularly in persons with Parkinson’s disease. She also has a special interest in studying the nutritional impact of dysphagia. Michele is currently completing a pre-dissertation project focusing on the risk for dysphagia and malnutrition in persons with Parkinson’s disease.
Presentations:
Dacy, M. (2024, February 9). Assessment and Treatment of Dysphagia in Parkinson’s Disease [Oral Presentation]. Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama Convention: Birmingham, AL.
Dacy, M. & Smith, K. (2023, November 17). Considering the Whole Patient: Interdisciplinary Instruction and Clinical Education Outcomes for SLP Graduate Students [Poster Presentation]. ASHA: Boston, MA
Dacy, M., Kouame, G., & Henbest, V. (2023, November 9). The Linguistic Awareness Skills of Elementary-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Scoping Review [Virtual Poster Presentation]. ASHA: Boston, MA
Dacy-Nichols, M., & Smith, K. (2023, March 15). Considering the Whole Patient: Effects of Interdisciplinary Instruction on Clinical Education Outcomes for Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students [Poster Presentation]. Annual University of South Alabama Graduate Research Forum, Mobile, AL, United States.
Dacy, M., Smith, T., & Pitts, L. (2017, April 21). Biokinematic and temporal VFS measures in relation to disease staging and patient-reported outcomes in Parkinson’s disease [Poster Presentation]. ICCD: Cedar Falls, IA
Vandehaar, J., Dacy, M., & Bohnenkamp, T. (2015, November 5). Refractoriness of a transit reaction: Respiratory and aerodynamic response [Poster Presentation]. ASHA: Denver, CO