Mili Kuruvilla-Dugdale

Mili Kuruvilla-Dugdale is an Associate Professor, and she directs the Speech Perception and Kinematics Lab. Her research focuses on improving foundational knowledge about speech physiology in neurodegenerative diseases, with the goal of developing more sensitive assessments. A second research area is aimed at developing optimal auditory-perceptual scaling methods for dysarthria assessment that are grounded in psychophysical principles and have strong psychometric properties. Dr. Kuruvilla-Dugdale and her collaborators are also developing innovative systems to accurately track tongue dysfunction and build personalized electronic voices for individuals with progressive speech loss. Her work is funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and has appeared in leading scientific publications. 

Email: mkuruvilladugdale@uiowa.edu

Deepthi Crasta

Third-Year PhD Student

Deepthi Crasta started her PhD in the CSD department in 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from Mangalore University, India, and a Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from MAHE University, Manipal, India. Before beginning her PhD, she worked as an SLP with various populations in different settings in Mangalore, India. Her research focuses on understanding speech production deficits in speakers with neurodegenerative disorders and how listeners perceive impaired speech. 

Fun Fact: Outside of her academic pursuits, Deepthi enjoys going to the gym and exploring cuisines from different cultures.

Email: deepthi-crasta@uiowa.edu

Ava Durand

Senior

Ava is a senior from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has been in the SPeaK Lab since January 2025. She joined the lab to gain more research experience in CSD and to develop a deeper understanding of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Ava has expanded her knowledge about neurodegenerative diseases and their impact on speech and motor skills. She enjoys collaborating with fellow research assistants on various projects.

Fun Fact: She is doing a half-marathon in June!

Email: ava-durand@uiowa.edu

Piper Steburg

Junior

Piper, a junior studying Speech and Hearing Sciences, is from Madrid, Iowa! She joined the lab in January of 2025 to see if research would be something she'd want to pursue in the future. Her favorite part of being in the lab is comparing data from various participants.

Fun Fact: Piper has started painting a Warhammer Army!

Email: psteburg@uiowa.edu

Hannah Voigt

Junior

Hannah is a junior from La Grange Park, Illinois! She joined the SPeaK lab in the fall of 2024 to take what she learns in the classroom and apply it in other ways. She shared that research, "Gives me a chance to grow, challenge myself, and keep learning new things."

Fun Fact: Hannah has a twin brother!

Email: hannah-voigt@uiowa.edu

Emma Woodford

Sophmore

Emma is a sophomore from Geneva, Illinois! She joined the SPeaK lab in spring 2025 because she wanted to gain experience working with people who are interested in the same field. She enjoys research because it allows her to look at information from different perspectives.

Fun Fact: She loves trying out all the different coffee shops downtown!

Email: emma-woodford@uiowa.edu

Chia-Hsin Wu

Second-Year PhD Student

Chia-Hsin is a visiting 2nd-year PhD student from Taiwan who joined the lab in the spring 2026 semester! She joined the lab to gain more diverse research experience. Research on perception and sensory integration is one of Chia-Hsin interests in the field as well! She believes this experience will help her better her understanding of her research interests. 

Fun Fact: She loves throwing parties!

Email: chia-hsin-wu@uiowa.edu 

Kayden Broking

First-Year MS-SLP Student

Kayden is from Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and is in her first year at Iowa's Master's Program! She joined the lab in the spring semester of 2026 as a Master's Thesis Student. Through her clinical experiences, she developed a strong passion for working with adults and families impacted by neurodegenerative diseases. She wants to continue expanding her knowledge by being in the lab and hopes to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those with neurodegenerative diseases. 

Fun Fact: She fishes in tournaments competitively with her dad!

Email: kayden-broking@uiowa.edu 

Ella Pignotti 

Senior

Ella is a senior from Mokena, Illinois, and has been a member of the SPeaK lab since Spring of 2025. She decided to get involved in the lab to gain a unique research experience that helps her build skills and relationships that directly connect to her major and her future as an SLP. Since joining, Ella has enjoyed exploring how speech works on a deeper level and has developed a stronger understanding of how neurodegenerative diseases affect communication.

Fun Fact: She loves to cook!

Email: ella-pignotti@uiowa.edu 

Aubrey Haney

Junior

Aubrey is a junior from Muscatine, Iowa, she joined the lab in the spring semester of 2026! She is excited to get involved in the SPeaK Lab and expand her knowledge of neurogenic speech disorders. This lab fits her interests amazingly, and she is excited to complete her honors thesis while contributing to meaningful research. 

Fun Fact: Her favorite food is popcorn!

Email: aubrey-haney@uiowa.edu 

Katie Kerfman

Junior

 Katie joined the lab in the fall semester of 2025, and she is a junior from Roselle, Illinois! She is excited to be a part of the SPeaK Lab because she is interested in gaining experience by entering the field of research. She is interested in learning more about diseases that impact speech.

Fun Fact: She is excited to travel this summer!

Email: kathryn-kerfman@uiowa.edu 

Olivia Clothier

Junior

Olivia joined the lab in spring 2025 and is a junior from Dubuque, Iowa! She joined the lab because she was interested in RISE-CSD, allowing her to get involved with research. Research is something new to her, and she wanted to give it a try! She likes getting to learn new things every day and working with other knowledgeable people.

Fun Fact: She is running a half-marathon in May!

Email: olivia-clothier@uiowa.edu

Ellie Volkmann

Junior

Ellie is a junior from Cambridge, Iowa, and joined the SPeaK lab in the fall semester of 2025! She wanted to get involved in research to gain new experiences and a better understanding of the field, while also being able to branch out and try something new that helps others. 

Fun Fact: She can play the piano!

Email: ellie-volkmann@uiowa.edu 

Emma Biederman

Junior

Emma joined the lab spring semester of 2026 and is a junior from Fayette, Illinois. She joined because she is very interested in the lab's research on Parkinson's Disease within CSD. She is very excited to work on her honors thesis in the SPeaK lab and contribute to research in this field!

Fun Fact: She loves collecting vinyl records and going thrifting!

Email: emma-biederman@uiowa.edu 

Finley Cowden

Junior

Finley is a junior from Pleasantville, Iowa. She joined the lab spring semester of 2026 because she wanted to get involved in her major and gain new knowledge in the field she is interested in, especially since this lab fits her interest in neurogenetic speech disorders!

Fun Fact: She is writing a book!

Email: finley-cowden@uiowa.edu 

Madelene Hacker

Sophomore

Madelene is a sophomore from Aurora, Colorado. She joined the lab in the fall semester of 2025 to better understand the field she is to join and network with other people in the same major as her. She wants to help advance the research related to Parkinson's Disease and ALS to help others live their best lives!

Fun Fact: She has hiked seven 14ers!

Email: madelene-hacker@uiowa.edu 

Maya Hall

Sophomore

Maya is a sophomore from Aurora, Illinois, who joined the lab in the fall semester of 2025. She joined the lab to get involved in new opportunities within her major and build a network with other successful students and professors while working towards new developments in CSD!

Fun Fact: She is a triplet!

Email: maya-hall@uiowa.edu 

Jaimie Marquardt

Sophomore

Jaime is from Libertyville, Illinois, and is a sophomore who joined the lab in the spring 2026 semester. She joined the lab to get involved in the major and gain new experience while contributing to research within our field!

Fun Fact: She loves coffee and is on the Iowa Volleyball Team!

Email: jaimie-marquardt@uiowa.com 

Julia Rotty

Freshman

Julie is a freshman who joined the lab in the fall semester of 2025 and is from Hastings, Minnesota! She wanted to be involved in the lab to gain an understanding of how research contributes to the field and get experience in a setting she has not been in before.

Fun Fact: She loves playing pickleball!

Email: julia-rotty@uiowa.edu