Application Information:

UMD-REACH (Research Equity and Access in Communication and Hearing) is designed to address the critical need to increase diversity in the field of communication sciences and disorders.  We are particularly interested in training students who are considering going into research-oriented fields or considering a career in speech and hearing, and who come from groups underrepresented in science. This includes students from groups who are underrepresented on the basis of race, ethnicity, disability, or those students coming from first-generation and/or low-income backgrounds.

This program provides under-represented undergraduate students with the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research and receive mentorship and professional development training via a 9 month long paid training program.

If you have any questions please email us at umd-reach [at] umd.edu

Applications due April 27th, 2026

Apply Here

Dr. Rochelle Newman is one of the directors of REACH, as well as the director of the  Language Development Lab (LDEV), the Brain Injury and Language Development Lab (BILD), and the Canine Perception Lab. She is also the former Hearing and Speech Science (HESP) Department Chair.  LDEV focuses on how perception of language changes with development. The BILD Lab focuses on how concussions impact language. The Canine Perception studies dogs and looks to see how our canine companions understand spoken commands.

Dr. Matt Goupell is one of the directors of the REACH program. He also is the director of the Auditory Perception and Modeling Lab. This lab currently focuses on the benefits of having two cochlear implants, how new cochlear implant processing strategies might improve speech understanding in noise and sound localization, and how natural aging impacts the brain's ability to encode and interpret sound across time.

Carol Espy-Wilson is the head of the Speech Communication Lab. Research in this lab combines knowledge of digital signal processing, speech science, linguistics, acoustic phonetics and machine learning to conduct interdisciplinary research in several speech-related areas.

Nik Francis is the Principal Investigator for the Francis Lab within the Biology Department. The Francis lab aims to clarify the neural mechanisms of listening and advance our understanding of how brain function relates to behavior.

Catherine Carr is in charge of the Carr Lab within the Biology Department. This lab focuses on how the brain uses time differences (ITDs) between the two ears to localize sound. The Carr Lab studies the neural circuits underlying the computation of ITDs in barn owls and other reptiles.

Yi Ting Huang is the head of the Language and Cognition Laboratory. This lab focuses on answering multiple questions including, "How do we close opportunity gaps?", "Can we predict effective interventions?", and "How does society address variable language outcomes?"

Veronica Kang is in charge of the Autism, Family, Culture, and Communication Education Lab (ACCEL Lab). The ACCEL lab works with children, families, and practitioners in early intervention. The ACCEL lab focuses on early childhood education, special education, applied behavior analysis, and related fields.

Dr. Jared Novick studies how adults (and sometimes children) process and understand language in real time, as it unfolds moment by moment in the Cognition and Language Processing Lab.

Dr. Overton is one of the REACH career mentors as well as an Assistant Clinical Professor and the LEAP Preschool Director. Learn more about Dr. Overton here!

Dr. Ratner studies the development of fluent speech production and the acquisition of language in the Language Fluency Laboratory.

Jonathon Simon is the co-director of the Computational Sensorimotor Systems Lab. This interdisciplinary lab studies how the brain processes speech and also how the brain processes different aspects of speech differently in different parts of the brain.

Dr. Ana Taboada Barber leads the Reading Engagement and Diversity (READ) Lab. The READ Lab studies how bilingual – and multilingual – children engage their growing minds in reading tasks. 

Dr. Butler leads the Cognition and Development Lab where his research focuses on the development and consequences of social learning in early childhood. 

Melissa Caras leads the Caras Lab on campus. It is known that practice can improve our ability to detect, discriminate, and identify sounds. The goal of the Caras Lab is to understand how this transformation, from auditory novice to auditory expert, is implemented in the brain. 

Yasmeen Faroqi-Shah's research focuses on understanding the neural underpinnings of language, with a particular focus on language breakdown following brain injury (aphasia) and bilingualism. Dr. Yasmeen Faroqi-Shah is the principal investigator for the Spanish-English Bilingual Project, as well as for the Aphasia Research Center.

Dr. Sandra Gordon-Salant is the Lab Director of the UMD Hearing Research Lab. The focus of the Hearing Research Lab is to understand the relative contributions of peripheral and central auditory abilities, cognitive capacity, and stimulus characteristics to age-related speech understanding problems. 

Dr. Hoover leads the Hearing Technology Lab. Research in this lab focuses on hearing aids and related hearing assistive devices as well as values in hearing healthcare, hearing assessment, speech perception in noise, and psychoacoustics.  

William Idsardi's research is on speech sound systems and how they function as a "mental address system" for words. He and his students do analyses on various languages and investigate speech perception using behavioral experiments and brain imaging (MEG).

Dr. Samira Anderson is the lab director of the Hearing Brain Lab on campus and is also the Hearing and Speech Science (HESP) Department Chair. The Hearing Brain Lab investigates how the brain processes speech, using behavioral and electrophysiological testing.

José Ortiz leads the Language Diversity Lab and studies issues related to the identification of communication disorders in bilingual children, technology-assisted language assessment, and culturally responsive treatment approaches.

Danielle Powell leads the Hearing and Health Research Center. This research focuses on assisting older adults who are affected by hearing loss. 

The Language, Experience, and Development (LEAD) Lab is directed by Dr. Rachel Romeo. This lab investigates how children’s early experiences—both favorable and adverse—influence their neural, cognitive, and academic development.

Bob Slevc leads the Language and Music Cognition Lab (LMCL). This lab studies how we process the complex sound and structure characteristic of both language and music.

Eliza Thompson is one of the REACH career mentors; she is an SLP and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Dept. of Hearing and Speech Sciences. Learn more about Eliza Thompson here!

Dr. Kane is running a new lab on campus currently titled, "Kane Lab." Dr. Kane is an audiologist and hearing scientist specializing in pediatric auditory skill development. Her lab studies how children with hearing loss develop skills to navigate complex listening environments, like the classroom. She is also interested in advancing hearing healthcare for children with developmental disabilities. Email Dr. Kane at slgkane [at] umd.edu for more information! Website coming soon!

Jennifer Rae Myers is Co-Director of the Culturally SMART. This collaborative lab focuses on multicultural advocacy and communication science research in technology.

Jonet Artis studies the language development of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. Their current study investigates the early receptive language development of autistic children. They aim to determine which measures best help us to know the words autistic children understand. In addition, they are investigating how the language environment of autistic children may vary based on their language skills. Their long-term goal is to inform clinical practices on the most effective assessments and interventions for children who demonstrate language delays and/or language disorders.

Lauryn Mitchell is a graduate assistant for the REACH program. She is a first year graduate student in the Speech-Language Pathology program, and received her B.A. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Hampton University. Lauryn’s position focuses on the mentorship and administrative aspects of REACH.

Bianca Pal is a graduate assistant for the REACH program. She is a first-year graduate student in the Doctor of Audiology Program. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a minor in Psychology and specialization in Developmental Disabilities and Human Services. Bianca’s position focuses on the mentorship and administrative aspects of REACH.

Nicole Centenary is a sophomore majoring in Public Health Science. She plans to pursue a PhD in public health research and epidemiology and hope to work globally on research to improve access to public health resources and increase knowledge in developing regions. She is particularly interested in cognitive and biomedical health research and how to apply findings to improve health systems. She is involved in BioFIRE research, and has a passion for mental health advocacy as well.

Sonia Owens is a senior majoring in Neurobiology and Physiology with a minor in Health, Humanities, and Medicine. She is planning to pursue clinical Audiology, she has a special interest in Cochlear Implants (CIs) and pediatrics. She is an undergraduate research assistant in the lab assisting in several projects including ones studying ITDs and ILDs, targeted aural rehabilitation, sex differences in hearing as we age, and the impact of electrode shifting on different hearing tasks for CI users.

Esther Bajulaiye is a senior studying Neuroscience at the University of Maryland, College Park. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she has developed a deep interest in exploring how adverse experiences, environmental factors, and socioeconomic status can influence a child’s cognitive and emotional development. She looks forward to further developing this interest through her work in the LEAD Lab, where she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence a child’s overall well-being and development while learning how research can inform adaptive interventions. She is also the founder of Health Sense, a community initiative focused on improving health literacy by exploring different perspectives on health through community outreach. Overall, Esther continues to develop her skills and pursue her passion for becoming a community-driven Emergency Medicine Physician.

Haliyat Durosinmi is a Junior studying General Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is on the pre-med track with goals of becoming an OB/GYN. Driven by her passion for medicine, she has past research experience in a fertility science lab through the UMD FIRE program. Looking to expand her research horizons, Haliyat is excited to join the Cognition and Development Lab through UMD-REACH to explore new ideas and research skills, and gain a fresh outlook on developmental science. Additionally, She has hands-on experience working with young children ages 0–5. Thus, she is excited to integrate her perspective from working in childcare into researching key developmental skills and executive functioning in children at the Cognition and Development Lab, under Dr. Butler’s mentorship.

Esther Bolarinwa is a junior neuroscience major at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is from Laurel, Maryland where she grew up all her life, enjoying the diversity and multitude of life experiences she witnesses everyday. She is a resident assistant in one of the North Hill dorms, a CMNS peer mentor - where she assists CMNS students with their academic growth, including graduation planning and college transiting - and a member of Charles R. Drew Society. She plans to pursue her passion for medicine and become a surgeon. She is open to a variety of specialties, but really hopes to build an environment in the healthcare system where all individuals, especially minorities, feel safe, supported, taken care of, and heard. Esther is excited to be mentored by Dr. Powell in the Hearing and Health Research Center and be a part of her new research in regards to older individuals with diabetes and correlations with other medical conditions.

Fish Li is a sophomore pursuing dual degrees in Biology (Ecology and Evolution specialization) and Animal Sciences on the pre-professional track with a minor in Art History at the University of Maryland, College Park. His primary research interests include ecology, animal behavior, molecular biology, and genetics. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a DVM/PhD dual degree program with the end goal of becoming a clinician-scientist. Fish has a passion for cross-species translational research, and hopes to contribute to research that improves the lives of humans, animals, and the environment in the future.

Fanna Tamrat is a junior Public Health Science major attending the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating, she intends to pursue a career in public health and health policy to address systemic inequities in care. Fanna’s research interests center on health disparities, immigrant and refugee health, healthcare access, and health policy. She focuses on how social and systemic factors directly shape health outcomes and limit access to quality care. She aims to use public health research and policy to break down structural barriers to healthcare and improve outcomes for underserved communities. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, and watching movies.

Derrick Antwi is a junior majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. He aspires to become a physician-scientist advancing neuroscience through research and patient care. Derrick completed the SUMMIR program at the UMB School of Medicine, where he investigated the gut-brain axis in alcohol use disorder using microbiome research, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), molecular biology techniques, and mouse behavioral studies. Beyond research, he is passionate about health equity through leadership and community engagement. He is involved in ASA, Remote Area Medical, and Diazporic Dance Team. In his free time, Derrick enjoys photography, trying new food places with friends, and working out.

Arnav Patil is a Junior Information Science student at the University of Maryland, College Park. Born in Thailand, Arnav moved several times before settling in Clarksburg, Maryland. His research interests are primarily in the application of emerging technologies to improve human health and general wellbeing. Specific areas of interests include the use of extended reality to make the world of health more accessible. In High School, he spent three years learning American Sign Language. The experience of learning the language along with its unique and expressive culture and community was something that stuck with him since, and planted his interest in the field of health-technology. This summer, he interned as a software engineer at a Health-IT company that builds software for clinical researchers and health organizations. This experience opened his eyes to the complex world of clinical trials and solidified his long term goals. His plans for the future are to pursue a PhD in fields like human-centered computing, and to spend his career involving himself in the technologies of this era that have the potential to help people.

Emely Rivas is a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a Neuroscience major in the Neuroscience honors program and an alumnus of the honors humanities program. She is a Banneker/Key scholar from Baltimore, Maryland and a first generation student of Salvadoran descent. Currently she is working in the Language and Music Cognition Lab under Dr. Slevc, where she will develop an honors project. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree, she hopes to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science and continuing research within the fields of music cognition, aphasia, and language production.

Eliza Leist is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience and minoring in human development at the University of Maryland, College Park. Having previously received an A.S. in biology from Hagerstown Community College, where she also served as an academic peer tutor, she hopes to eventually pursue a career in neuroscience research. She is interested in the intersection of education and neuroscience, and hopes to one day address disparities in public education. She is also interested in the under-researched neurological effects of chronic disabilities on sleep, memory, and many of the brain's other functions. She is excited to start working under Dr. Kang in the Autism, Family, Culture, and Communication Education Lab on campus through the REACH program.

Jason Bannerman is a junior from Severn, Maryland, pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience at the University of Maryland, College Park. He serves as Peer Research Mentor for the First-Year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE) Program’s Rapid Diagnostics stream. He also recently served as a Teaching Assistant for the university's Neural Systems and Circuits (NEUR305) course and is currently a Federal Fellow in the UMD Fellows program. Jason is committed to community health and student advocacy, serving on the university's Student Health Advisory Committee and acting as both a Team Leader and the Executive Board Co-Chair for Social Outreach within the College Success Scholars program. His goal is to become a physician who integrates clinical practice with translational research in order to create more accessible and effective healthcare solutions for under-resourced communities. He is currently researching under Dr. Jennifer Rae Myers in the CulturallySMART lab.

Nneka Chigbu is a junior neuroscience major and music performance minor at the University of Maryland, College Park, originally from Salisbury, Maryland. Her current research interests focus on variations of music and music-based therapies and how they may influence brain recovery after injury. She will be mentored by Dr. Slevc in his Language and Music Cognition Lab where she will explore forms of language processing as well as sound and music perception. Through the UMD-REACH program, Nneka hopes to gain more insight on how neuroscience and music intersect and bridge the gap into different forms of non-traditional therapies. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to go on and pursue a medical degree and become a pediatric neurologist with hopes to continue her research.

Jennifer Hernandez is a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Hearing and Speech Sciences with a minor in Human Development. She is a first-generation Latina student from Silver Spring with Salvadoran and Guatemalan roots. She is interested in speech and language development among bilingual children, particularly in low-income and underserved communities. She had the opportunity to work in Dr. Ortiz’s Language Diversity Lab, which has allowed her to further explore her interest in speech and language development. She has always enjoyed working with and supporting others, especially through her experiences as a daycare teacher, with Best Buddies supporting students with disabilities, SIGNA working with students on campus, and through a childcare ministry. After undergrad she plans on pursuing her masters in Speech Language Pathology and hopes to work with Spanish speaking communities.

Yuna Lee is a sophomore from Silver Spring, Maryland, studying General Biology at the University of Maryland. At the university, she works in the Hearing Brain Lab, where she is able to explore my interests in neuroscience, cognitive health, and working with older adults. Her research focuses on older patients, including some with dementia, and examines how their cognitive function is affected, which has made me especially interested in learning more about dementia and cognitive health. Outside of school, she interns at a veterinary hospital, where I have gained hands-on experience working with animals and exploring my interest in veterinary medicine and animal care. She also volunteers with hospice, where she has the opportunity to spend time with patients and learn more about providing compassionate care. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field, with a potential interest in specializing in dermatology, while continuing to explore my interests in both human and animal health.