Research Projects

Current Studies

Effects of Bilingualism on the Cognitive and Lexical Retrieval Functions.

• This project examines the factors influencing the bilingual cognitive advantage while also addressing the challenges associated with bilingual lexical disadvantages.

Cultural Competency among Professionals and Students in the U.S. 

• This study investigates SLPs’ and SLP students’ self-assessment on cultural competence and compare self-perception with current knowledge. We aim to provide valuable insights on identifying strengths and potential improvements to the current CDS curriculum and clinical training, as well as increase awareness on the importance of diversity in the profession and provide opportunities for future research on cultural competence.

The Impact of Extralinguistic Factors on English Proficiency in Bilingual Children

• This study investigates the impact of extralinguistic factors on English proficiency of bilingual preschoolers in Southern California. We aim to contribute to the existing knowledge on bilingualism, as well as reveal the potential influential factors that may impact English language development in bilingual children before entering a formal educational setting. 

Manuscripts in Progress

Beyond Segments: Vowel Pronunciation in Mandarin Chinese Learners of English

• This study investigates English pronunciations of Mandarin Chinese learners in both segmental and phonotactic aspects by examining the accuracy of production of English monophthongs and diphthongs in various phonetic contexts. The findings will be valuable resource in not only in the clinical setting for differentiating speech difference from disorders for bilingual population but also in ESL programs for second language learners.

Competencies for Preschool Educators on Children's Early Literacy Development in Southern California

• Preschool educators have the potential to make valuable contributions to the literacy development of children prior to formal education. Previous studies indicate that preschool educators lack the disciplinary knowledge required to teach early literacy skills that facilitate the development of phonological awareness. The aim of this study is to understand preschool education teachers' level of understanding of early literacy skills and methods to implement teaching these skills. 

Comparing Perspectives of Filipino Immigrants and Philippine Residents

• A majority of Filipinos are bilingual, speaking both English and Tagalog or other native languages. This study seeks to investigate attitudes of Filipinos toward bilingualism and heritage language maintenance. A survey research design will be employed to identify perceptions and misconceptions, comparing perspectives of Philippine residents and Filipino immigrants in the U.S.. Results will provides SLPs guidance when working with this bilingual population.

Completed Studies

Expanding Minds- the Covid Cognitive Trial Project

• Provide assessment, therapy and support for CSUN students and staff experiencing cognitive challenging due to long-haul covid. Read more Here.

• Covid Tail Study Resources. Read more Here.

Bilingualism

Awareness of Bilingualism: Uncovering Myths and Misconceptions about Bilingualism

• Large numbers of children are acquiring their native language and subsequently or simultaneously learning another. Many adults have misconceptions about the effects of bilingualism on child development, in that they believe that bringing children up bilingually puts them at a disadvantage. This study examines to what extent people understand the effect of bilingualism on development.

Effectiveness of Parental Efforts in Heritage Language Maintenance

• In the U.S., many bilingual children abandon their learning of heritage language (i.e., home language) as soon as entering English-only school. This study identifies potential parental methods to be used effectively for supporting children's heritage language maintenance. The finding will provide valuable reference for parental education and advocacy of bilingualism as one scope of practice in speech-language pathology.

What Motivates YOU to be Bilingual?

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2010, more than half of the world's population is bilingual. Research studies have identified various factors that drive bilingual individuals to maintain their heritage language. However, there are other underlying factors which have not yet been discovered. This study aims to identify these underlying factors and share them with the growing bilingual population.

Speech and Language Science

Speech Intelligibility in English Learners of Arabic Speakers

• The purpose of this study is to further investigate speech production of Egyptian Arabic language learners of English, perceived intelligibility by native English speakers, and factors that correlate with higher intelligibility ratings. 

Production of English Word Stress in Chinese Learners of English

• The current study aims to investigate the extenxt first language (L1) influences second language (L2) production on the suprasegmental level by analyzing the placement of English lexical stress and acoustic attributes of stressed syllables. We examined whether linguistic experience affects the production of lexical stress in English by studying the performance of native Mandarian Chinese speakers who learned English as L2. We also explore what attributes are associated with producing stressed syllables for Chinese learners of English. 

Special Populations

Exploring the Role of Cognitive Level in Language Outcome Measures and Life Participation in People with Aphasia

• The Assessment for Living with Aphasia (ALA) is a patient-reported outcome measure that assesses the quality of life for people with aphasia (PWA). The goal of the study is to examine the role of cognition in PWA and its effects on impairment-focused measures versus patient-reported outcome measures.

The Effects of Music Activity on Language Therapy for People with Aphasia

• The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of music activity on life satisfaction and motivation in regards to language therapy for people with aphasia (PWA). Our hypothesis is that adding the element of music may yield higher motivation to continue therapy and to indirectly improve their life satisfaction for PWA.

Literacy Outcomes in Children with Cochlear Implants 

• Our general objective of this study is to explore the relationship between phonological awareness and reading comprehension in children with cochlear implants over time, as compared to their typically-hearing peers. 

The Psychological Benefits of Community Service for People Who Stutter

• Evidence suggest positive benefits of support group involvement for people who stutter (PWS). Little is known about whether participating in community service would yield similar positive effects on psychological well-beings in PWS. We investigate the effect of community service involvement on the Quality-of-life (QoL) in PWS. The findings would provide insight into the outcome measures for improving QoL in PWS.

Parental Anxiety and Its Effects on Stuttering Severity in Children with Developmental Dysfluency

• Although research has suggested that anxiety does not cause stuttering, anxiety has been shown to negatively exacerbate the symptoms of stuttering. This study explores the relationship between parental anxiety and stuttering severity in children with developmental dysfluency. Using a self-reported survey, 100-200 adults with children who stutter will be surveyed for data collection.