Brain and Language on the Autism Spectrum Team (BLAST off!)

Alexa Jackson is an undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She aspires to become a pediatric speech-language pathologist. It would be extremely fulfilling for Alexa to witness children grow and reach milestones in their production of speech and language in their early years. Outside of the lab, Alexa enjoys listening to music and spending quality time with friends and family.

Briana is a graduate assistant in the BLAST off lab in the MA-SLP program at the University of Connecticut. She wrote her undergraduate honors thesis on natural language sampling (NLS) in autistic minimally speaking youth with Dr. Lindsay Butler, supported by a grant from the Institute of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at UConn. Briana is now working on participant intake and data collection for a continuation of the receptive and expressive language project. In the future, Briana plans to work with older adolescents and adults in a medical setting, however, she loves to engage with and learn about all populations and aspects of the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Outside of research and Speech-Language Pathology, Briana loves to run, go to Pilates, read, and be outside!

Maren is an undergraduate Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Major with minors in Spanish and Human Development Family Studies at the University of Connecticut. Maren is a part of the Honors Program at Uconn and hopes to use her undergraduate degree and research to pursue a career as a Speech Language Pathologist in a school system that also works children who are bilingual. She hopes to help children who often aren’t able to receive the help they need. Outside of the lab, she works at the Student Recreation center, and enjoys walks, fashion, reading, and music.

Caileigh is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences major with a minor in American Sign Language at the University of Connecticut. She hopes to pursue a career as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist in a medical setting. Outside of the lab, she loves to run, hike, and spend time with friends.