Lab Members
Gerasimos Fergadiotis
Lab Director & Professor
He/Him/His
​Gerasimos Fergadiotis Ph. D.,​ CCC-SLP, lab director and principal investigator, has primary interests in aphasia and cognitive assessment and rehabilitation. He received his Ph. D. in Speech & Hearing Science from Arizona State University in 2011 and is currently a Professor at Portland State University.
Curriculum Vitae
Mikala Fleegle
Research SLP
She/Her/Hers
Mikala Fleegle is a Research Speech-Language Pathologist whose primary role is to coordinate research on an NIH-funded grant focused on building computer algorithms for automatic classification of paraphasias in post-stroke aphasia. Her clinical/research interests include assessment and treatment of adults with neurogenic communication disorders. Outside the lab, Mikala enjoys hiking, camping, biking, and knitting.
Stacey Steel
Research SLP
She/Her/Hers
Stacey Steel is a Research Speech-Language Pathologist coordinating research on an NIH-funded grant focused on creating a computer adaptive confrontation naming test to assess the nature and severity of anomia in people with aphasia. She is interested in the assessment and rehabilitation of adults with acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Stacey enjoys painting, practicing floral design, cooking, and hiking.
Student Researchers
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Celeste Sinko
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Celeste Sinko is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She joined the lab in Winter 2022 and is particularly interested in speech sound disorders and aural rehabilitation. In her free time, Celeste enjoys running, hiking, reading, and crocheting.
Isabel Quigley
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Isabel is working towards a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences with plans to continue her education in a masters program the following year. Her main interests involve serving our aging population and those with acquired brain injuries. In her free time, she enjoys art, video games, and swimming.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Celeste Sinko
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Celeste Sinko is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She joined the lab in Winter 2022 and is particularly interested in speech sound disorders and aural rehabilitation. In her free time, Celeste enjoys running, hiking, reading, and crocheting.
Krystal Francisco
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Krystal Francisco is pursuing a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She has a personal connection to aphasia and joined the lab in summer 2024. Her primary interests are in serving our aging population and children. In her free time, Krystal enjoys making a mess, also referred to by some as baking.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Celeste Sinko
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Celeste Sinko is a senior pursuing a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She joined the lab in Winter 2022 and is particularly interested in speech sound disorders and aural rehabilitation. In her free time, Celeste enjoys running, hiking, reading, and crocheting.
Courtney McCoy
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Courtney is pursuing a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University, with an expected graduation in Spring 2025. She plans to continue her education by obtaining a master’s degree in Speech Pathology. Her primary interests include working with individuals with neurological differences and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and playing tennis.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Shane Symons
Graduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Shane is pursuing his Master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Portland State University. He obtained a B.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology at Miami University in Ohio. Shane joined the lab in Fall 2022 and is excited to get experience in research. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games and listening to podcasts.
Maryfer Ortiz
CIMR RCL Scholar
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Maryfer is earning a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience at Portland State University and expects to graduate in spring 2025. Her research interests focus on the neurological aspects of psychology. She enjoys nature walks as well as listening to podcasts and music in her free time.
