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Previous Staff Members

Joanna Paul worked for two years as research assistant for the EIRG. She is now pursuing a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Marie Bloem worked as an interventionist and assessor at the EIRG for five years. During her time in the lab, Marie implemented several evidenced-based, parent-coaching interventions. She was also instrumental in data management, manuscript preparation, and knowledge dissemination. She is now living in Denver Colorado and works as the editor of the Birth-to-Three section of The Informed SLP.

Dr. Kornfeld served as the physician on the Developmental Diagnostic Program at NUCASLL. He continues to provide exemplary primary care for tiny humans at North Suburban Pediatrics while he focuses on raising his own tiny humans (n=3).

Lauren Hampton completed her a post doctoral fellowship with Dr. Roberts and later became a research associate in the lab. She is now an assistant professor at the University of Texas-Austin where she continues to study intervention practices for children with communication difficulties and how to customize interventions for families

Steven Schott worked as a research assistant with the EIRG for five years. He is now pursuing a degree in medical speech-language pathology at Rush University.

Djaniele Taylor worked as a research assistant with the EIRG for two years, managing and developing our databases. She is now a manager tracking brand health at a marketing firm in Chicago.

Meredith Strauss is a speech-language pathologist who served as an interventionist and assessor with the EIRG for three years. She now lives in Colorado.

Sarah Bauer served as a developmental and behavioral pediatrician in collaboration with Northwestern University's Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning in the Developmental Diagnostic Program.

Tara Hensle served as a research coordinator for the Early Intervention Research Group. She is now completing coursework in computer coding through Northwestern University with plans to use this training within the field of communication sciences and disorders.


Samantha Marinello graduated from Northwestern University in May 2017 with a master’s degree in biostatistics. She is currently working as a research assistant at University of Illinois at Chicago while pursuing a PhD student in Health Policy and Administration.

Aysha Asueva was an undergraduate research assistant at the EIRG. She continues to persue her bachelor's degree in neuroscience at Northwestern University with plans to become a pediatrician.

Shara Reimer was an undergraduate research assistant at the EIRG. She continues to pursue her bachelor's degree in at Northwestern University.

Krista Lafferty graduated from Northwestern University with with her master’s degree in speech, language, and learning in 2019. She now works as a speech-language pathologist for the Niles township district for special education.

Evelyn Hudson graduated from Northwestern University in 2018 and is now pursuing her law degree from University of Chicago with a focus in education law.

Katie Martini graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in human communications sciences and disorders in 2017. She is now pursuing her master's degree in speech-language pathology at the University of Maryland. Additionally, she works on the When to Worry project with the EIRG and MSS research group at Feinberg School of Medicine, looking into disruptive behaviors and language development in toddlers.

Bridget Riverol graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in human communications sciences and disorders and Spanish in 2017. She is now pursuing her master's degree in speech-language pathology at Marquette University.

Alison Strunk graduated from Northwestern University with her master’s degree in speech, language, and learning in 2017. She now works as a speech-language pathologist doing inpatient acute care as well as outpatient pediatric treatment in North Carolina with Novant Health.

K. Michael Brooks was a PhD student in Northwestern University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. He now works as a research study coordinator at Feinberg School of Medicine for Dr. Laurie Wakschlag on the Promoting Healthy Brains project.

Katherine Eulau graduated from Northwestern University with her master’s degree in speech, language, and learning in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience from the University of San Diego.

Gabrielle Garcia graduated from Northwestern University with her master’s degree in speech, language, and learning in 2017. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology at New York University Abu Dhabi in 2015 where she worked in a research lab within the NYU Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Jennifer Martin graduated from Northwestern University in 2017 with a master’s degree in speech, language, and learning and now works as a bilingual speech-language pathologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. She completed her undergraduate coursework at Ohio State University in speech and hearing sciences, Spanish, and human development.

Kelly McHugh graduated with a master’s in speech-language pathology from Northwestern University in 2016. She is now a speech-language pathologist within the La Grange Area Department of Special Education where she works with high school inclusion students. She also provides speech-language therapy for children privately with Let It Grow Therapy.

Jessie Ronayne graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in speech-language pathology in 2017. She completed her undergraduate coursework at Marquette University in speech-language pathology, social welfare, and justice.

Pumpki Su is currently a PhD student in the department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at Vanderbilt University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in linguistics and communication sciences and disorders at Northwestern University in 2015.

Jenna Van Duyne graduated from Northwestern University with a master’s degree in speech, language, and learning in 2017. She also earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in human communication sciences and was a student research assistant in the neurodevelopmental disabilities laboratory.

Renee Ariola graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in human communications sciences and disorders in 2018 and is looking forward to beginning her master’s degree in speech, language, and learning program at Northwestern.
Northwestern University
Frances Searle Building, 3-321
2240 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 847-491-3183
ei@northwestern.edu
Driving Directions to the Early Intervention Research Group
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Current Job Opening!
Clinical Research Coordinator – Speech Pathology (Bilingual – Spanish/English)
The Child Language Lab and the Early Intervention Research Group are looking for a bilingual (Spanish/English) Clinical Research Coordinator to work on longitudinal studies of bilingual children’s early language development. To see the full job description and apply, please use this link and search for the job code 37690.
The Child Language Lab (CLL), directed by Dr. Adriana Weisleder, examines links between early language environments and language development in children from diverse backgrounds. The CLL will be starting an NIH-funded study examining trajectories of language development in Spanish-English bilingual late talkers. The Research Coordinator will assist with all aspects of the research, including recruitment, conducting standardized assessments and eye-tracking studies, transcribing and coding video data, training and supervising research assistants, and contributing to data analysis, presentations and publications.
The Early Intervention Research Group (EIRG), led by Dr. Megan Roberts, examines the effects of early intervention for children with developmental delays (6 months to 5 years). The lab uses a variety of methodologies, including clinical trials, eye tracking, behavioral observations, and surveys. Currently, EIRG has five federally funded clinical trials that look at the effects of early intervention on different populations, including toddlers with autism, preschool children with expressive and receptive language delays, and infants and young children with hearing loss.
This position requires someone with a strong attention to detail who can also consider the big picture. We are looking for someone who can connect well with both young children and their caregivers. We are also looking for a team player who prefers open and honest communication and is willing to take initiative and learn a variety of lab related responsibilities. Because studies blend research and clinical practice, this position requires a flexible and creative thinker who can work as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Manages daily operations of a biomedical &/or social-behavioral research study involving multidisciplinary teams of colleagues, sponsors & other external project stakeholders. Monitors study performance, analyzes & review results, & supervises development & implementation of new protocols. Assigns work & supervises study staff & reviews technical operations ensuring that all processes, protocols & procedures are quality controlled & functioning up to standards. May co-author scientific papers for presentation & publication & coordinates writing, submission & administration of grants. Ensures that all study activities are completed by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).
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