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.
Cricket Groenweghe
Undergraduate Research Assistant
They/She
Cricket is studying for a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Upon their anticipated graduation in spring 2026, Cricket plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology. Cricket is particularly interested in AAC and partnering with individuals with neurological differences. In her free time, Cricket loves to dote on their cats, delve into reality television, and build community through NSSLHA field work.
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.
Clara Wilkinson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
She/Her/Hers
Clara is a post-baccalaureate student at Portland State University pursuing a certificate in Communication Disorders and Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and currently volunteers at Sarah Bellum’s Bakery, a local vocational rehabilitation program. She is interested in someday working with adults in neurologic rehabilitation settings as an SLP. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, cooking, and exploring new interests.
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.
Sevyn South
Undergraduate Research Assistant
He/Him/His
Sevyn is an undergraduate student at Portland State University pursuing dual degrees in Japanese and Speech and Hearing Sciences. He plans to pursue a master’s degree and licensure in speech-language pathology, driven by a strong passion for language, communication, and cultural connection. Outside of school, Sevyn enjoys weightlifting, playing video games, and creative writing.
