Julian Bergen Smith, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CLC is an Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Communication Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University and SLP at Yale New Haven Hospital.  Dr. Smith received her doctorate in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University and holds licensure in the State of Connecticut. Her primary areas of research are the instrumental assessment of swallowing disorders across the lifespan and interprofessional care of individuals with communication/swallowing disorders.

 I am an undergraduate student studying Communication Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University. My academic interests include dysphagia and cognitive disorders. I am very passionate about furthering my knowledge in these areas, and am excited to participate in the lab's research on evaluating and treating swallowing disorders.

Diego Pichay is a graduate student at Southern Connecticut State University. He received his associate's degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Manchester Community College and his bachelor's degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the University of Connecticut. Prior to studying at SCSU, he was an SLPA at a special education school. He is excited to continue expanding his knowledge in the field of speech-language pathology by contributing to the APPS Lab. 

I am an undergraduate student studying Communication Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). My interests are currently in every aspect thus far, but most definitely include adults and their abilities or lack thereof related to swallowing and age. I am extremely eager and honored to contribute to the labs work in evaluating and treating swallowing disorders across populations. 

I am an undergraduate student majoring in Communication Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University. My primary academic interest is pediatric feeding, though I am eager to explore all that the field has to offer. Outside of the lab, I serve as the Vice President of the SCSU NSSLHA undergraduate chapter, President of Operation Smile, Public Relations Officer for the ASL Club, and President of Active Minds. I am excited to contribute to the lab’s efforts in evaluating and treating swallowing disorders across diverse populations.

During my time at Southern, I worked within the APPS Lab conducting research on adult dysphagia, cognitive disorders, and ethnonutrition. My latest research focused on alternative methods for measuring tongue strength. I greatly enjoyed working in the APPS Lab, as it provided an environment of inspiration, growth, and support, and I truly appreciate the opportunities to engage in the full research process.

During my time at SCSU, I was actively involved in the APPS research lab, where I gained hands-on clinical and research experience in normal swallowing and dysphagia in adults. I contributed to several studies and publications exploring dysphagia in Sjögren’s Disease, IOPI reliability, and oral sensory perceptions, in addition to completing my own graduate research thesis. My experience in the lab provided a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, which continues to inform my work as a speech-language pathologist across diverse settings, including sub-acute rehabilitation, acute inpatient neurorehabilitation, and acute care. I am committed to ongoing engagement in research throughout my career that bridge clinical practice and scientific advancement in the field for improved patient outcomes.

Chloe Lavender Smith is a fifth-year catsistant in the APPS Lab. She has been a member of the APPS lab since its inception. She is very enthusiastic about feeding and swallowing, with a particular interest in wet food. She works closely with many lab members and alumni.