Lab Members
Director
Erin Meier, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor & Lead Lab Researcher
Dr. Erin Meier earned her M.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Purdue University in 2008 and graduated with her Ph.D. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Boston University in 2018 under the mentorship of Dr. Swathi Kiran. From 2018-2020, she completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Vascular Neurology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine under the guidance of Dr. Argye Hillis. Since her time as a practicing speech-language pathologist in the greater Chicago area (2009-2013), Erin has worked towards bettering the lives of adults with acquired communication disorders. Her research interests include the neurological bases of language in disease processes and mechanisms of language recovery after stroke. She is passionate about finding ways to maximize functional communication and quality of life outcomes for individuals with aphasia and other acquired cognitive-communicative disorders.
Contact Information:
Email: e.meier@northeastern.edu
Address: 360 Huntington Avenue, Forsyth 228C; Boston, MA 02115
Phone: (617) 373-7438
Researchers & Volunteers
Alexa Reilly
Graduate Student & Lab Researcher
Anna Schwartz
Graduate Student & Lab Researcher
Amanda “Mango” Mangano
Undergraduate Student & Lab Researcher
Carli Bopp
Graduate Student & Lab Researcher
Catherine Terkildsen
Undergraduate Student & Lab Volunteer
Divya Ravikumar
Undergraduate Student & Lab Researcher
Divya is a rising second-year in the class of 2025 at Northeastern University as a combined Bioengineering and Biochemistry major. She is interested in neurodegenerative diseases and the technology utilized to study them, like fNIRS imaging. Outside of lab, she is a writer for the NU Science magazine, loves reading, and enjoys trying new food.
Emma Van Beveren
A Speech-Language Pathology master & a research assistant in TAN
Emma is a second-year in Northeastern University’s Master’s of Speech-Language Pathology program. She is interested in the uniquely human ability to both create and acquire language through a variety of sensory experiences and developmental circumstances. Her thesis project in the TAN lab examines the neural correlates of discourse level language processing using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). During her free time she likes to hang out with her pet rabbit, Penelope.
Gengchen Wei
A Very Awsome Guy and Projects Coordinator at TAN
GengchenWei(Chen) has just graduated from Boston University majored in psychology and philosophy. He has the passion to find out how the world works because he believes that the world exists as a consistant whole. In particular, he believes that one of the best answers to the big questions is to understand human brain. Chen now works in TAN lab and he enjoys working here because everyday he learns something new.
Grace Haskell
A graduate student in the Speech and Language Program & RA in TAN
Hai-Dinh Phan
Undergraduate Student & Lab Volunteer
Jamie Brunette
A graduate student in the MS SLP program & RA in TAN
Leanna Ugent
Lab Coordinator
Leanna Ugent is a research coordinator at the TAN lab. She graduated from Brandeis University with a double major in Linguistincs and Psychology. She is currently taking a gap year, but is interesting in going to grad school for Speech Language Pathology. In her free time, she enjoys performing improv and theater and exploring Boston with her friends.
Mallory Petty
A graduate student & RA in TAN
Hello- my name is Mallory and I am a second year graduate student at Northeastern University. I volunteer in the TAN Lab with a group researching the utilization of smartwatch technology to improve functional and therapeutic outcomes for persons with aphasia. I was drawn to the TAN Lab because I have a special interest in optimizing language recovery in acute stroke and TBI patient populations. I admire Dr. Meier’s efforts in promoting functional communication recovery in people with aphasia, and look forward to better understanding the links between the brain, language, and behavior. Outside of school and research, I spend most of my time cooking, exploring the outdoors with my husband and dog, and catching up with friends and family.
Nathalie Mitchell
A graduate student & RA in TAN
Nathalie Mitchell is a graduate student in the TAN lab. She is a 2nd year student in the M.S. SLP program at Northeastern University’s Bouve College of Health Sciences, with an expected graduation date of May 2023. Nathalie attended The Ohio State University where she received a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a minor in Global Public Health, and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her interests include rehabilitation for cognitive impairments, long-haul Covid-19, neurodegenerative diseases, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and adults with intellectual and development disabilities. Additionally, she is interested in early intervention and is pursuing a certificate in Early Intervention from Northeastern University’s Bouve College of Health Sciences. In her free time, she enjoys going for walks, spending time with friends and family, and watching reality TV.
Lauren Rauert
A graduate student & RA in TAN
Lauren Rauert is currently a first-year graduate student in the M.S. Speech-Language Pathology Program at Northeastern University. She attended the University of Vermont for her B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a minor in Sociology and graduated in May of 2022. She is interested in recovery from stroke, aphasia, traumatic brain injuries, right hemisphere dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disorders. In the TAN lab she provides behavioral testing to participants. Outside of the academic world she enjoys exploring everything Boston has to offer, spending time with her friends, and crocheting!
Esprit Ange Andraos
A graduate student & RA in TAN
Esprit-Ange is an international master’s student at Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Before moving to Boston, she was a practicing speech-language pathologist in her home country, Lebanon. She is passionate about improving the lives of individuals living with voice and speech disorders through both clinical services and research. She is currently assisting with fNIRS imaging studies, behavioral testing, and smartwatch-based ecological momentary assessments. She is also helping with data analysis. Outside the lab, Esprit enjoys playing the flute, ney, singing, and doing Latin dance.