Students & Fellows
Post-Doctoral Fellows
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
Maggie Barilka MS, CCC-SLP, is a doctoral student in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her Master's degree in CSD from Teachers College in 2022, and subsequently completed her Clinical Fellowship at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following fellowship, she worked at Columbia Voice and Swallow Center for 2 years before deciding to pursue a research career. Her research interest includes swallowing and cough function in neurogenic, oncologic and transplant populations.
Maggie Barilka MS, CCC-SLP, is a doctoral student in the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction at Teachers College, Columbia University. She earned her Master's degree in CSD from Teachers College in 2022, and subsequently completed her Clinical Fellowship at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following fellowship, she worked at Columbia Voice and Swallow Center for 2 years before deciding to pursue a research career. Her research interest includes swallowing and cough function in neurogenic, oncologic and transplant populations.
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.
Research SLP
Sofia Nava M.S., CCC-SLP is a research SLP in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently works in the Upper Airway Dysfunction Lab, Communication, Technology, and Language Diversity Lab, and CIRC Aphasia lab. She earned her master’s degree in speech language pathology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois in 2024, and previously completed her clinical fellowship in the UAD Lab. Her interests include instrumental assessment of swallow and voice and improving accessibility to treatment across multilingual populations.
Sofia Nava M.S., CCC-SLP is a research SLP in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently works in the Upper Airway Dysfunction Lab, Communication, Technology, and Language Diversity Lab, and CIRC Aphasia lab. She earned her master’s degree in speech language pathology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois in 2024, and previously completed her clinical fellowship in the UAD Lab. Her interests include instrumental assessment of swallow and voice and improving accessibility to treatment across multilingual populations.
Clinical Externs
Julia is a second-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S.Ed. in Speech Communication Disorders and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Linguistics in 2023. In addition to working in the UAD Lab as a clinical extern, Julia works as a research assistant in the Communication, Technology, and Language Diversity Lab, focusing on the feasibility of an automatic speech recognition app for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Her clinical interests include neurodegenerative diseases, dysphagia, voice, and cognition.
Julia is a second-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S.Ed. in Speech Communication Disorders and Cognitive Science with a concentration in Linguistics in 2023. In addition to working in the UAD Lab as a clinical extern, Julia works as a research assistant in the Communication, Technology, and Language Diversity Lab, focusing on the feasibility of an automatic speech recognition app for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Her clinical interests include neurodegenerative diseases, dysphagia, voice, and cognition.
Research Assistants
Megan is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program (bilingual extension) at Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Taiwan, she graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders as well as Media, Culture, and Communications. Megan previously conducted clinical research in the Communication, Memory, and Mind Lab at NYU and in the inpatient speech-language pathology office at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she managed data for an efficacy study on the 3 oz water swallow protocol in tracheostomy patients. Her primary areas of interest are dysphagia, compensatory maneuvers and coughing, airway protection, and bilingualism. In her free time, Megan is an avid reader, pilates enthusiast, and foodie.
Megan is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program (bilingual extension) at Teachers College, Columbia University. Originally from Taiwan, she graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders as well as Media, Culture, and Communications. Megan previously conducted clinical research in the Communication, Memory, and Mind Lab at NYU and in the inpatient speech-language pathology office at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she managed data for an efficacy study on the 3 oz water swallow protocol in tracheostomy patients. Her primary areas of interest are dysphagia, compensatory maneuvers and coughing, airway protection, and bilingualism. In her free time, Megan is an avid reader, pilates enthusiast, and foodie.
Samantha is a first-year masters student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Her primary interests are swallowing disorders, working with the pediatric population, and articulation disorders. In her free time, Samantha loves spending time outside, baking, running, and reading mystery books.
Samantha is a first-year masters student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Her primary interests are swallowing disorders, working with the pediatric population, and articulation disorders. In her free time, Samantha loves spending time outside, baking, running, and reading mystery books.
Caitlin is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from Colgate University with a B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Anthropology in 2024. During her undergraduate studies, Caitlin conducted community-based research and used quantitative and qualitative methods to study the impact of community involvement on quality of life for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her clinical interests include, neurodegenerative disorders, pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, and finding ways to improve personalized treatments.
Caitlin is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from Colgate University with a B.A. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Anthropology in 2024. During her undergraduate studies, Caitlin conducted community-based research and used quantitative and qualitative methods to study the impact of community involvement on quality of life for adults with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her clinical interests include, neurodegenerative disorders, pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, and finding ways to improve personalized treatments.
Seri is a first-year master's student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from New York University with a co-major in CSD and Global Public Health. She has previously assisted in the Department of Rehab & Human Performance at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Currently, Seri's primary interests include swallowing disorders, head and neck cancer, and the wide neurological aspects of communication disorders. Outside the lab, Seri enjoys exploring new cafes in the city while listening to podcasts.
Seri is a first-year master's student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She graduated from New York University with a co-major in CSD and Global Public Health. She has previously assisted in the Department of Rehab & Human Performance at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Currently, Seri's primary interests include swallowing disorders, head and neck cancer, and the wide neurological aspects of communication disorders. Outside the lab, Seri enjoys exploring new cafes in the city while listening to podcasts.