Roozbeh Behroozmand, PhD
Associate Professor, Principal investigator
Roozbeh Behroozmand is an Associate Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing and the Director of the Speech Neuroscience Lab in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Behroozmand has background in biomedical engineering and neuroscience and his research is focused on investigating the neural bases of speech production and motor control in the human brain. His lab utilizes a wide range of techniques including electrophysiology (EEG, ERP, ECoG), functional neuroimaging (fMRI), EEG-based neurofeedback training, and high-definition transcranial brain stimulation (HD-tES) to study sensory-motor mechanisms of speech in neurotypical adults and patients with neurological disorders. The ultimate goal of this research is to advance translational knowledge for the development of novel diagnosis and clinical treatment methods to enhance speech communication and improve quality of life in patients with speech disorders.
Kaylee Ray, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist, Clinical Manager
Kaylee Ray is a Speech Language Pathologist and Clinical Manager at the Speech Neuroscience Lab in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. She has years of clinical experience working with pediatric, adult and geriatric populations with a wide variety of deficits and diagnoses. She specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of cognition and language disorders in patients following brain injury, stroke or neurological decline. She also has skilled background in dysphagia, Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), alternative/augmentative communication and American Sign Language.
Post-doctoral Scholars
Vahid Nejati, PhD
Post-doctoral Scholar
Vahid Nejati is a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in cognitive and neurorehabilitation. He focuses on the remediation of brain functions by targeting cognitive processes and the associated cortical areas through cognitive training programs and non-invasive brain stimulation. His current focus is on discovering the sensory, motor, and cognitive underpinnings of language and the corresponding neural structures, with the goal of developing remediation programs for language and speech disorders.
Graduate Students
Yilun Zhang, MSc
PhD Student
Yilun Zhang is a doctoral student in the Speech Neuroscience Lab in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. Yilun’s research focuses on understanding the role of cognitive mechanisms in the production and sensory-motor control of speech in neurotypical adults as well as stroke survivors with aphasia. For her research, Yilun uses advanced EEG signal analysis methods to examine the neurophysiological correlates of speech motor function and their impairment in clinical populations with post-stroke aphasia.
Mackenzie White, BSc
Master’s Student
Mackenzie is a Graduate Student at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is pursuing a Masters of Speech Language Pathology to be completed in Spring 2025. She is passionate about communication, connection, and helping others. Her career interests include adult cognition, aphasia, and dysphagia.
Jordan Hall, BSc
Master’s Student
Jordan is a Graduate Student at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is pursuing a Masters of Speech Language Pathology to be completed in Spring 2026. She is interested in the adult neurogenic population, including cognitive communication disorders, dysphagia, and aphasia. During her time in the Speech Neuroscience Lab, she hopes to learn more about the neurological deficits that impact the speech production of people with aphasia and motor speech disorders.
Undergraduate Students
Alyssa Su
Undergraduate Student
Alyssa is an undergraduate student majoring in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and Psychology at The University of Texas at Dallas. After graduating, she intends to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. During her time in the Speech Neuroscience Lab, Alyssa hopes to learn more about neurological conditions that affect the fundamental neural structures underlying speech production.
Former Lab Members (University of Texas at Dallas)
Former Lab Members (University of South Carolina)
Speech-Language Pathologists
Sandra (Cissy) Farrar, MA, CCC-SLP
Post-Doctoral Scholars
Doctoral Students
Master’s Students
Emily LeVan
Marissa Olson
Josie Reed
Kris Williams
Samantha Kazimer
Sara House
Eileen Durkin
Eliza Jane Sessions
Julia Biernat
Kimberly Chambers
Janna McIntyre
Jessica Miller
Christine Pang
Jacqueline Reagor
Nicole Sovde
Cameron McDuffie
Jacqueline Galbraith
Kathryn Hyatt
Chantel Juitt
Victoria Rogers
Erin Hurst
Meg Johnson
Sarah Neal
Janelle Rocktashel
Undergraduate Students
Jessica Benson
Emily Virag
Parker Wess
Ellie Thompson
Maggie Fitzpatrick
Caroline Hayden
Keiko Bridwell