Speech-Language Pathology Students Share Research on Global Stage

Jordan D'Angelo and Morgan Okula are newly minted Class of 2025 graduates of Seton Hall’s M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. in S.L.P.) program. A hallmark of the program is the opportunity to engage in a mentored research project with a faculty member. Students support or expand faculty research while gaining invaluable training in research design, project management and professional presentation skills.

Following is their account of their research and presentation experience as second-year students:

Recently, we traveled to Brisbane, Australia, to present joint research we completed under the mentorship of Venugopal Balasubramanian, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Speech-Language Pathology. There, we attended the Society for the Neurobiology of Language (SNL) Annual Meeting and were honored to represent Seton Hall University on an international stage. 

The SNL annual meeting focuses on advancements in the study of the neural bases of language. As students in Seton Hall’s M.S. in S.L.P. program, we were not only excited to share our research but also to learn from other language experts from around the world and to grow our knowledge of all things speech-language pathology.

During the conference, we participated in a poster session where we presented our study titled "Multiple Lesion Sites Associated with Alexia and Agraphia in Speakers of English and Arabic: A Cross-Cultural Study."

Our research investigated how different brain lesions impact reading and writing abilities of speakers of both English and Arabic. The occurrence of the syndrome of Alexia with Agraphia (AWA) following discrete lesions in several different brain structures in speakers of English was reported in our previous scoping review (Balasubramanian et al., 2023). In the current study, we wanted to verify the occurrence of AWA in speakers of other world languages that differ in writing/script from English. To this end, we compared the occurrence of AWA in English and Arabic speakers. Data from other languages will be included in future research.

One of the most impactful aspects of this experience was the opportunity to present our research to people from around the world. We engaged with attendees from Asia and Europe, each bringing unique perspectives to our discussions. Presenting to individuals with such diverse backgrounds allowed us to refine how we communicated our findings and consider different cultural and linguistic influences on our research. Meeting researchers from various disciplines expanded our appreciation for the global nature of language and cognition studies, and we were grateful for the chance to exchange ideas with experts who approach the field from different angles. 

Our trip “Down Under” also allowed us to be part of discussions on other attendees' research on cutting-edge topics. We learned more about the mechanisms of language and innovative new clinical practices. Hearing from experts and researchers in these areas deepened our understanding of the field and inspired us to apply these concepts to future clinical and research experiences. 

This experience would not have been possible without the preparation and development offered by our research mentor, Dr. Balasubramanian, and a travel stipend awarded by the School of Health and Medical Sciences. 

Attending the SNL Annual Meeting and presenting our research in Australia was a defining moment in our academic journey. It strengthened our passion for research and highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing our understanding of the neural bases of language and cognition. We will always be so grateful for this opportunity to represent Seton Hall University internationally and contribute to meaningful discussions within the global scientific community. This experience has reinforced our commitment to continued learning and research, and we are excited to see where our future academic and professional paths take us next.

About Seton Hall’s M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology Program
Seton Hall’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (M.S. in S.L.P.) program is consistently ranked among the top graduate programs in the nation — and the best in New Jersey — by U.S. News & World Report.

The M.S. in S.L.P. is distinctively designed as a five-semester program, combining classroom learning with community outreach, clinical and research opportunities that prepare students for careers in diverse settings. Dedicated directors of clinical education help secure individualized placements that support students’ professional growth and strong job outcomes. Learn more.

Categories: Nation and World, Science and Technology