Lab Director
Kelly Jahn, AuD, PhD
Contact: kelly.jahn@utdallas.edu
Dr. Jahn is an Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Her research program combines behavioral and neuroimaging techniques to understand how auditory perception changes across the lifespan and as a consequence of hearing loss. The ultimate goal of her work is to develop new clinical tools and treatments for hearing loss. While her work spans a wide array of topics in audiology and auditory neuroscience, she is especially passionate about improving outcomes for children and adults who have hyperacusis and those who use cochlear implants.
Dr. Jahn earned a BS in psychology and a BA in communication sciences, with minors in neuroscience and cognitive science, from the University of Connecticut. She earned an AuD from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a PhD in speech and hearing sciences from the University of Washington. She completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Dr. Jahn is a state-licensed and ASHA-certified (CCC-A) audiologist. Dr. Jahn is also a Certificate Holder in Tinnitus Management from the American Board of Audiology.
In her spare time, Dr. Jahn enjoys sports such as CrossFit, running, and tennis. She also enjoys volunteering at the animal shelter.
PhD Students
Swarali Joshi, BA, MSc
Swarali is a PhD student at UT Dallas. She earned a Bachelor of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) and a Master of Audiology (MSc Audiology) from Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India. She has two years of clinical experience in the field of diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology across all ages, from infants to geriatrics. Her areas of interest in research are diagnostic audiology, electrophysiology, and cochlear implants in adults.
Swarali enjoys listening to music, spending time with family and friends, and playing outdoor sports.
Prabuddha Bhatarai, BA, MSc
Prabuddha is currently pursuing Ph.D in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at UT. Dallas. He completed his Master of Science in Audiology from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, India and his Bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology from the Institute of Medicine, Nepal. He is passionate about improving outcomes through Cochlear Implants in children and adults through his research. He is also keen on exploring and broadening his understanding of hyperacusis and helping clients manage their hyperacusis better.
His hobbies are playing table tennis, badminton, and cricket.
Audiology Graduate Students
Chelsea Koach, BS
Chelsea is a third-year Doctor of Audiology student at UT Dallas. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from The University of Texas at Austin, with a minor in American Sign Language. She is currently working on a project related to hyperacusis evaluation, diagnosis, and management. Chelsea hopes to pursue a clinical career working with underserved populations.
In her free time, Chelsea enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. She can often found at the dog park with her puppy, Bean.
Marianne Awad, BS
Marianne is a second-year Clinical Audiology student at UT Dallas. Before pursuing audiology, she had a passion for the field of Psychology and received her Bachelor of Psychology from UT Dallas. Her primary research interests include cochlear implants, language development, and the connection between hyperacusis and autism. She hopes her experience in Dr. Jahn’s lab will develop her research skills and broaden her understanding of hyperacusis and audiology.
In her free time, Marianne enjoys drawing, watching Studio Ghibli films, and hanging out with friends.
Sean Takamoto Kashiwagura, BS
Sean is a second-year audiology student at UT Dallas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience from UT Dallas, with a minor in secondary STEM education. Sean conducted auditory neuroscience research in rodent models at the Long School of Medicine from 2019 – 2022. His research interests include diagnostic tools for hearing loss, autism spectrum disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease. Sean plans on completing a PhD in speech, language, and hearing sciences in the future to pursue a career in academia.
In his spare time, Sean likes weightlifting, basketball, volleyball, swimming, and cooking.
Karlee Doak, BS
Karlee is a second-year Doctor of audiology student at UT Dallas. She graduated from from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Karlee’s research interests include pediatric cochlear implants, speech perception in noise, and music perception. She currently works as an assistant for the Plano Regional Day School Program for the Deaf.
Karlee has many hobbies including reading, traveling, and working out. And, of course, studying.
Braden Wiegand-Shahani, BS
Braden is a second-year Doctor of audiology student at UT Dallas. He graduated with his BS in communication sciences and disorders from Northern Arizona University. His favorite areas of research include balance functioning, cochlear implant emotional processing, and the effects of listening effort and noise exposure on cognitive load. He also works in the Callier Center as a hearing aid technician.
Outside of school, Braden spends time with his cat, making espresso, and competing for the Pegasus Sword Academy fencing club at all levels of the national circuit.
Danny Kim, BS
Danny graduated from the University of North Texas, earning his bachelors in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology. He is now in his first year pursuing a doctorate in audiology.
Outside of academics Danny enjoys singing (as he was a former music major), working as a barista, and obsessing over his cat Nemo.
Evan Stack, BS, MA
Evan is a first-year doctor of audiology student from Dallas, TX. He completed his Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and his Master’s in Health Care Design, from The University of Texas at Austin.
Beyond his work in the Neuroaudiology Lab, Evan writes and records his own music, cooks, reads, appreciates the Texas Rangers, and watches films at the Texas Theater in Oak Cliff.
Undergraduate Students
Inayat Sidhu
Inayat is an undergraduate student at UT Dallas majoring in Neuroscience. She plans on attending medical school in the future and is interested in pursuing a minor in communication sciences.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and exploring nature.
Karla Rabanales
Karla is an undergraduate student at UT Dallas majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. She plans on pursuing an MD in the future. She is thrilled to be working in Dr. Jahn’s lab, as she believes it will strengthen her research skills and her knowledge on hyperacusis.
In her free time, she enjoys powerlifting, watching the sunset, doing facemasks, and spending time with friends and family.
Emily Gutierrez
Emily is an undergraduate student at UT Dallas majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology. She intends to pursue a future PhD in neuroscience. She eagerly anticipates contributing to the lab and looks forward to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Outside of academics, Emily enjoys trying out new boba places, food, going on a run and reading.
Jordan Ly
Jordan is an undergraduate student at UT Dallas majoring in Psychology. He is studying psychology and the sciences in order to eventually pursue an MD or DO through medical school. He hopes to improve his skills as a researcher in preparation for the research that he will eventually be doing in medical school and also to contribute to the lab’s ongoing research in studying hyperacusis and the hearing capabilities of the general population.
Outside of school, Jordan likes to enjoy musical performance, play video games, hike or ride bikes, and spend time with his family and his friends at the Global Medical Missions Alliance (GMMA) chapter of UTD.
Lab Alumni
Manasi Patel, BS
Vaishnavi Moturi
Manasi is taking a gap year before applying to medical school.
Vaishnavi is entering her junior year at Centennial High School.