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Lab Members

Diana Perez

Email: dperez22@usf.edu

Title: Lab Manager & Reasearch Assistant

Diana serves as both a research assistant and lab manager in the LASER Lab. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Florida and a second Bachelor’s in Language, Speech, and Hearing from the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. Her research interests include bilingualism and stroke in older populations. 

 

 

 

 

Natalie Guzman

Email: crystal350@usf.edu

Title: Research Assistant

Natalie Guzman earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology from the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø. She plans to apply to medical school, with a strong interest in the field of neurological sciences. Natalie is passionate about research that explores the brain and nervous system. She hopes that her hands-on research experience will deepen her understanding of neuroscience and guide her path toward becoming a physician.

 

 

Emma Ford

Email: emmaford@usf.edu

Title: Research Assistant

Emma Ford graduated from the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences, concentrating in Biology, from the College of Public Health, and a minor in Psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. She has been accepted to medical school and is pursuing her goal of practicing medicine internationally, with a focus on pediatric oncology and hematology. Emma is passionate about increasing access to medical services for underserved populations, exploring the relationship between psychology and physiology, and providing humanitarian aid. Her dedication to global health and holistic care continues to guide her academic and professional journey.

 

Marcy Edwards

Email: marcy156@usf.edu

Title : Research Assistant

Marcy Edwards graduated from the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø with a major in Language, Speech, and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Aging Sciences. She enjoys working with individuals across all age groups and aspires to work in a medical setting with adults whose speech or swallowing abilities have been impacted by neurological disorders. Her research interests focus on the neurological aspects of language and the treatment of aphasia. Marcy is currently completing her first year as a Master’s student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at USF, where she is on the thesis track studying mild aphasia.

 

Rishitha Chiguru

Title: Research Assistant

Email : rishithac@usf.edu

Rishitha Chiguru is a third-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Children’s Behavioral Healthcare. Her goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career in the pediatric department. Her research interests are dedicated to contributions to the fields of medicine, public health, and behavioral sciences to build a resilient society. She loves to go on a walk, watch the sunset, and go on adventures.

 

 

 

Viviana Vallejo

 

Email: vallejov@usf.edu

Title: Research Assistant

Viviana graduated from the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences. She plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Cognitive Psychology. Her interest in the LASER Lab is driven by its focus on understanding how communication skills are affected by cognitive and psychosocial factors in individuals with brain injuries.

 

 

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Former Lab MEMBERS

• Abigail Dupre (Fall 2022 – Fall 2023)
• Sienna Tyson (Fall 2022 – Spring 2024)
  Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Central Florida.
• Brijhan Burke (Spring 2023 – Spring 2025)
  Currently enrolled in the Master’s program in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Florida.
• Madeline DiPasquale (Fall 2023 – Fall 2024)
• Amanda Debrard (Fall 2023 – Spring 2025)
  Accepted into the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida,  Fall 2025
• Sarah Alvarez (Fall 2023 – Spring 2025)  Studying abroad in Spain for one year teaching English.