Research Team

Lab Director

Welcome to our research members page! My name is Elizabeth Schoen Simmons, Ph.D. and I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Sacred Heart University and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Developmental Neurolinguistics at Yale University. I completed a M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology at Southern CT State University and a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Connecticut. My research focuses on language and learning development in typical infants and toddlers and toddlers with language delays. We conduct our research at Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT), Yale University (New Haven, CT), and online (wherever home is for you).

Current Lab Members

My name is Olivia Plaia, and I am a graduate student in the Master’s of Speech-Language Pathology Program at Sacred Heart University. I am currently the Graduate Research Assistant for the ToLD Lab, but have worked within the lab since my sophomore year of undergrad. I have gained valuable, hands-on experience as a lab member, and look forward to another year of research! 

My name is Abby Pitts and I am from Marshfield, Massachusetts. I am a senior in the Communication Sciences & Disorders program and am on the 3+2 track for Speech-Language Pathology. I’ve had so many great experiences as a member of this lab and I am looking forward to another year as a research assistant.

My name is Tamara Hillman and I am a second-year undergraduate student in the 3+2 Speech Pathology program. My major is in communication disorders and I joined the lab to learn more about language development and gain a better understanding of speech pathology. I am very grateful to be assisting in the lab and I am looking forward to being involved and helping with future research!

My name is Ashley Ryer, and I am from Cape Elizabeth, ME. I am a senior Communication Sciences and Disorders major with a minor in Psychology, and I am on the 3+2 track for the Speech-Language Pathology program. I am a Student Leader in the Academic Mentor Program on campus and a Student Manager for the Men’s Basketball Team. I look forward to getting more hands-on experience in the field of speech-language pathology and learning more about child language development during my time in the lab. 

My name is Emily Biche and I am from Mount Laurel, NJ. I am a junior in the Communication Disorders major with minors in Honors and Psychology, and I am on the 4+2 track for the Speech-Language Pathology program. I am looking forward to getting hands-on experience working in research and learning more about child language development.

My name is Johannah Dolan and I am from Medway MA. I am a senior in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program with a minor in Psychology, and on the 3+2 dual degree track. I look forward to getting more hands-on experience in the field of Speech-Language Pathology as a research assistant and learning more about toddler language development! 

My name is Allison Millspaugh and I am a first-year student in Sacred Heart University’s three-year Speech-Language Pathology master’s program. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Through my work in the lab, I look forward to building skills and exploring different areas of clinical research. My long-term goal is to work with children who have communication and developmental disorders.

Former Laboratory Members

  • Olivia Cayward, B.S., M.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021 – 2023; Graduate Research Assistant, 2023 – 2025, Currently working in CT at a skilled nursing facility.
  • Bianca Blasi, B.S., Undergraduate Honors Student, 2024; Graduate Research Assistant, 2024 – 2025.
  • Ashley Gillies, B.S., M.S. CCC-SLP, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2022; Graduate Research Assistant 2023.
  • Paige Donovan, B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023, Undergraduate Honors Student, 2024; Graduate Research Assistant, 2024 – 2025.
  • Tamara Hillman, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024 – Present.
  • Nicole Khrimian, B.S., Lab Manager 2023 – 2025. Currently attending medical school at Lincoln Memorial University.
  • Julia Linhares, B.S., M.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021 – 2023.
  • Alexandra Nelson, M.S., CCC-SLP., Graduate Research Assistant, 2020 – 2021.
  • Taylor Patnode, B.S., M.S. (University of Connecticut), Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021.
  • Olivia Plaia, B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023 – 2025; Graduate Research Assistant, 2025 – Present.
  • Julia Perreault, B.S., M.S. CCC-SLP (University of Rhode Island), Undergraduate Research Assistant 2021- 2022.
  • Abigail Pitts, Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2023 – Present
  • Allison Roberge, B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant 2021 – 2023; Doctor of Audiology student at Florida State University.
  • Mollie Rogan, B.S., M.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2021.
  • Ashley Ryer, Undergraduate Research Assistant 2024 – Present.
  • Jackie Schwartz, B.S., M.S. CCC-SLP, Graduate Research Assistant 2021 – 2022.
  • Racquel Walsh, B.S., M.S. CCC-SLP, Graduate Research Assistant 2023 – 2024.
  • Ashley Wilson, B.S., M.S. CCC-SLP, Graduate Research Assistant 2021 – 2023.
  • Toni Young, B.S., Undergraduate Research Assistant 2023.

Do you have a new job or a new degree? Please reach out to us so we can update your information! We would love to hear from you and catch up.