Students & Fellows
Post-Doctoral Fellows
James Borders, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. He completed his PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College in 2023, having previously earned a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a medical concentration at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. His research focuses on understanding physiologic mechanisms underlying cough and swallowing dysfunction, as well as investigating how principles of motor learning can enhance their rehabilitation.
James Borders, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. He completed his PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College in 2023, having previously earned a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a medical concentration at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. His research focuses on understanding physiologic mechanisms underlying cough and swallowing dysfunction, as well as investigating how principles of motor learning can enhance their rehabilitation.
Justine Dallal-York, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Science with a concentration in Neuromuscular Plasticity at the University of Florida in 2022. She earned her master's degree in Biobehavioral Science at Teachers College, Columbia University with an advanced certificate in bilingual speech-language pathology in 2014. She continued with several years of clinical practice at University of Miami Health System's NCI-designated cancer center, acute care hospital, and ALS center of excellence. Throughout her doctoral studies, she continued to work in acute care medical speech-language pathology at University of Florida Health. Justine's research interests include identifying and understanding how multiple organ systems across the aerodigestive axis impact airway protection in complex surgical and critically ill populations.
Justine Dallal-York, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Science with a concentration in Neuromuscular Plasticity at the University of Florida in 2022. She earned her master's degree in Biobehavioral Science at Teachers College, Columbia University with an advanced certificate in bilingual speech-language pathology in 2014. She continued with several years of clinical practice at University of Miami Health System's NCI-designated cancer center, acute care hospital, and ALS center of excellence. Throughout her doctoral studies, she continued to work in acute care medical speech-language pathology at University of Florida Health. Justine's research interests include identifying and understanding how multiple organ systems across the aerodigestive axis impact airway protection in complex surgical and critically ill populations.
Jordanna Sevitz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her PhD in Speech Language Pathology at Teachers College in 2023. She previously obtained her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017 from Teachers College and subsequently completed her clinical fellowship in the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory. She has extensive experience in evaluation and treatment of swallowing and cough disorders in neurodegenerative disease. Her primary clinical and research interests are in developing novel evaluation and treatment paradigms for airway protection and motor speech disorders in neurologic populations. Jordanna is particularly interested in enhancing equitable, accessible, and personalized dysphagia treatment to increase treatment utilization and outcomes.
Jordanna Sevitz, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her PhD in Speech Language Pathology at Teachers College in 2023. She previously obtained her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2017 from Teachers College and subsequently completed her clinical fellowship in the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory. She has extensive experience in evaluation and treatment of swallowing and cough disorders in neurodegenerative disease. Her primary clinical and research interests are in developing novel evaluation and treatment paradigms for airway protection and motor speech disorders in neurologic populations. Jordanna is particularly interested in enhancing equitable, accessible, and personalized dysphagia treatment to increase treatment utilization and outcomes.
Doctoral Students
Emilie Lowell, M.S., CCC-SLP earned her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Vanderbilt University in 2016. She completed her clinical fellowship at the Boston VA Medical Center and continued full-time to serve inpatient and outpatient populations for over four years. She joined the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University as a doctoral student in 2021. Emilie's research interests include translational research, improvements to instrumental evaluations of swallowing, and evidence-based treatments for neurogenic dysphagia.
Emilie Lowell, M.S., CCC-SLP earned her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Vanderbilt University in 2016. She completed her clinical fellowship at the Boston VA Medical Center and continued full-time to serve inpatient and outpatient populations for over four years. She joined the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University as a doctoral student in 2021. Emilie's research interests include translational research, improvements to instrumental evaluations of swallowing, and evidence-based treatments for neurogenic dysphagia.
Kelly Veit, M.S., CCC-SLP is a doctoral student in the UAD Lab. She earned her graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University in 2022. She completed her clinical fellowship in the UAD Lab prior to beginning her doctoral studies. Kelly's research interests center around translating research findings into practical applications to bridge the gap between theoretical research and clinical practice.
Kelly Veit, M.S., CCC-SLP is a doctoral student in the UAD Lab. She earned her graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York University in 2022. She completed her clinical fellowship in the UAD Lab prior to beginning her doctoral studies. Kelly's research interests center around translating research findings into practical applications to bridge the gap between theoretical research and clinical practice.
Katya Villarreal, M.S., CCC-SLP is a doctoral student in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Teachers College in 2021 and completed her clinical fellowship at Isabella’s Center for Rehabilitation in Manhattan. Katya joined the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory in Fall 2022 and her research interests include cough and swallowing rehabilitation.
Katya Villarreal, M.S., CCC-SLP is a doctoral student in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her master's degree in speech-language pathology from Teachers College in 2021 and completed her clinical fellowship at Isabella’s Center for Rehabilitation in Manhattan. Katya joined the Upper Airway Dysfunction Laboratory in Fall 2022 and her research interests include cough and swallowing rehabilitation.
Clinical Fellow
Sofia Nava M.S., CF-SLP is a clinical fellow in the UAD Lab. She grew up near Chicago, Illinois and attended Rush University Medical Center for her master’s in speech-language pathology. Sofia has clinical experience completing practicum in both the outpatient and acute care settings. She is interested in instrumental assessment of swallow and voice as well as equitable services across demographic groups for swallow rehabilitation. In her free time she enjoys singing and looks forward to getting to know New York City!
Sofia Nava M.S., CF-SLP is a clinical fellow in the UAD Lab. She grew up near Chicago, Illinois and attended Rush University Medical Center for her master’s in speech-language pathology. Sofia has clinical experience completing practicum in both the outpatient and acute care settings. She is interested in instrumental assessment of swallow and voice as well as equitable services across demographic groups for swallow rehabilitation. In her free time she enjoys singing and looks forward to getting to know New York City!
Clinical Externs
Kate is a second-year master's student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated in 2023 from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, a secondary major in Educational Studies, and a minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences. As an undergraduate, Kate assisted with research in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Washington University School of Medicine and completed an honors thesis research project in Psychology focused on speech perception. Kate's current primary interests include dysphagia, voice, and neurogenic communication disorders. Outside the lab, Kate loves cooking, yoga, and exploring the city.
Kate is a second-year master's student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated in 2023 from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, a secondary major in Educational Studies, and a minor in Speech and Hearing Sciences. As an undergraduate, Kate assisted with research in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Washington University School of Medicine and completed an honors thesis research project in Psychology focused on speech perception. Kate's current primary interests include dysphagia, voice, and neurogenic communication disorders. Outside the lab, Kate loves cooking, yoga, and exploring the city.
Jennie is a second-year master's student at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a double major in Psychology and Communication Disorders Sciences. She wrote her undergraduate thesis "The Effectiveness of Audio-Visual Training on Non-Native English Speech Perception and Production" under the mentorship of Dr. Melissa Baese-Berk. This past summer, she had the pleasure of externing in the speech/swallow team at Memorial Sloan Kettering, supporting inpatient and outpatient clients in the head and neck cancer department. Jennie's primary interests include neurodegenerative diseases, dysphagia, aphasia, and equitable healthcare service delivery. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, puzzling, and lounging with her cat.
Jennie is a second-year master's student at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a double major in Psychology and Communication Disorders Sciences. She wrote her undergraduate thesis "The Effectiveness of Audio-Visual Training on Non-Native English Speech Perception and Production" under the mentorship of Dr. Melissa Baese-Berk. This past summer, she had the pleasure of externing in the speech/swallow team at Memorial Sloan Kettering, supporting inpatient and outpatient clients in the head and neck cancer department. Jennie's primary interests include neurodegenerative diseases, dysphagia, aphasia, and equitable healthcare service delivery. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, puzzling, and lounging with her cat.
Research Assistants
Izzie is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. They graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a B.A. in American Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Chicano Studies, and a minor in Diversity. Izzie has previously conducted clinical research during their undergraduate studies with the UW Autism Center. Through their past and present experiences, their most current interests are in the areas of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, neurological communication disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions in populations across the lifespan. Their hobbies include creating nail art, reading historical fiction novels, and cooking family recipes.
Izzie is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. They graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences, a B.A. in American Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Chicano Studies, and a minor in Diversity. Izzie has previously conducted clinical research during their undergraduate studies with the UW Autism Center. Through their past and present experiences, their most current interests are in the areas of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, neurological communication disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions in populations across the lifespan. Their hobbies include creating nail art, reading historical fiction novels, and cooking family recipes.
Lana is a first-year master's student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from San Jose State University in 2024 with a B.A. in CSD and a minor in Deaf Education. Lana’s current primary interests include swallowing and cough disorders, as well as in pediatric feeding. She enjoys working with clients of various age groups and is driven by the community of people that she has the opportunity to work with and learn from. Outside the lab, Lana loves exploring new areas, cooking or baking, picnicking, and taking walks through the beautiful parks in New York City.
Lana is a first-year master's student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from San Jose State University in 2024 with a B.A. in CSD and a minor in Deaf Education. Lana’s current primary interests include swallowing and cough disorders, as well as in pediatric feeding. She enjoys working with clients of various age groups and is driven by the community of people that she has the opportunity to work with and learn from. Outside the lab, Lana loves exploring new areas, cooking or baking, picnicking, and taking walks through the beautiful parks in New York City.