About Us

POSTDOC & LAB MANAGER

My name is Kimaya (Kim) Sarmukadam, and I am originally from Calgary, Alberta! I completed my PhD at the University of New England, Armidale, Australia. My current research focuses on the contributions of sensory impairments and anxiety in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and fragile X syndrome. Broadly, my research interests include using neurobehavioral methods (e.g., EEG, naturalistic observations) to investigate the impact of sensory impairments and mental health disorders on adaptive functioning in individuals with different NDDs across the lifespan. Some of my hobbies include walking, cooking, and watching reruns of old TV shows!

PHD STUDENT

My name is Moji Norozi, and I am from Langroud, Iran. I earned my BSc and MSc in Speech and Language Pathology in Iran. After defending my master’s thesis on the perception of parents of autistic children regarding autism spectrum disorder in 2022, I recognized the importance of autism-related research in improving the services we offer to this community and enabling autistic children to reach their full potential. Consequently, I had the opportunity to pursue further research on ASD as a PhD student in COMD at the University of South Carolina. Now, as a graduate research assistant at the CANDi lab, I contribute to our research on understanding social communication skills and emotional regulation in autistic children and children with fragile X syndrome. In my free time, I enjoy FaceTiming with my family in Iran, watching movies, reading books, cooking new foods, and discovering incredible things waiting to be known!

POSTBACC RESEARCH SPECIALIST

Hi! My name is Ateya, and I'm from Ladson, South Carolina. I graduated from Lander University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family Studies. My goals for the future include continuing to learn about fragile X syndrome and obtaining a graduate degree in School Psychology. As a Research Specialist in the CANDi Lab, I administer assessments and assist with data collection and data analysis. However, in my free time I like to read, travel, and hangout with my cat.

POSTBACC RESEARCH SPECIALIST

My name is Caitlin Williams, and I am from Austin, Texas! I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas A&M University. My goal is to pursue graduate school with the aim of serving the autistic community through theraputic services. As a postbacc research specialist, I administer assessments and contribute to data collection/analysis. Some of my hobbies include coffee, hiking, reading, and baking!

GRADUATE RESEARCHER

My name is Kennedy Fladger, and I am from Hoschton, Georgia I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama. My goal is to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and open up my own private practice one day! As a graduate assistant, I code videos using the Pragmatic Rating Scale-School Age. Some of my hobbies include reading, baking, trying different coffee shops, and watching new shows!

GRADUATE RESEARCHER

My name is Tatiana Hunter, and I am originally from Mount Laurel, New Jersey! I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology from North Carolina A&T State University. I am currently in the process of obtaining my master's degree in communication sciences and disorders. As a graduate assistant in the CANDi Lab, I code videos using the Pragmatic Rating Scale for School-Aged children. Some of my hobbies include traveling, going on walks, binging reality TV shows, and trying new restaurants

GRADUATE RESEARCHER

My name is Allie Jansen, and I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from Butler University. I am interested in working with pediatrics as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the early intervention setting. I am a graduate research student in the CANDi Lab and work on pragmatic coding. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, going to concerts, reading, and being on the lake!

GRADUATE RESEARCHER

My name is Grayson Leslie, and I am from Cherry Hill, New Jersey! I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology from The College of New Jersey. I hope to become a licensed speech-language pathologist and provide children with varying needs and disabilities the accommodations and support to reach their goals and succeed. As a research assistant, I assist with the results of assessments and specific anxiety data collection and analysis. In my free time, I love to do art, go to the beach, complete crossword and puzzle books, travel, watch TV/movies, and spend time with my friends and family, especially my dog!

GRADUATE RESEARCHER

My name is Addison Montague, and I am from Owenton, Kentucky. I graduated with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Kentucky. My career goal is to pursue my passion of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist and working with the pediatric population in a hospital setting. I am a graduate research student in the CANDi Lab, where I work on pragmatic coding. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks, swimming, shopping, and traveling. 

GRADUATE RESEARCHER

My name is Amelia Mudd and I am from Charlotte Hall, Maryland. I graduated in 2023 from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders and am now in my second year of USC's speech-language pathology master's program. I am interested in working in early intervention services. As a graduate research assistant, I code recordings of assessments for pragmatic markers. In my free time I enjoy cooking, hanging out with my friends, and running! 

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

My name is Tanvi Giridhar and I am a neuroscience major at the USC Honors College! I am on the pre-medical track and aspire to become a physician. I am passionate about patient care and have an interest in serving underprivileged communities. As an undergraduate research assistant in the CANDi lab, I have done two projects using the Social Anxiety and Motivation Scale (SAMS). These projects investigated social anxiety and motivation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), and changes in social anxiety from early to middle childhood in children with NDDs. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and exploring local coffee shops!

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

My name is Kay Kaszuba from Naperville, Illinois. I am a rising junior at USC studying Biology, Spanish, and Medical Humanities and Culture pursuing a pre-medical track. This is my second semester in the CANDi lab, and I am passionate about working with young populations with disabilities in my future career. I am an undergraduate research assistant who works with heart activity data and explores its relationship to the autonomic nervous system. Outside of the lab, I enjoy distance running, live music, water sports, reading, and making jewelry!

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

My name is Hannah Scott, and I am from Fort Mill, South Carolina! I am a senior here at USC majoring in biological sciences with a minor in neuroscience. My goal is to go to grad school to become a physician assistant after I graduate college. I am currently working on my thesis researching the reliability of parent reported anxiety measures of children with ASD. Some of my hobbies are reading and going on walks with friends.

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

My name is LaPortia Scott and I am from Charleston, South Carolina. I am an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina majoring in Neuroscience on a pre-med track. My goal is to become a neurologist and perform clinical research within my field, particularly on the behavioral effects neurodegeneration. In the CANDi Lab, I am a research assistant and I code behavioral data. My two favorite hobbies are shopping and spending time at the beach.

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

My name is Karina Sheth, and I'm from Nashville, TN! I am a junior, studying Neuroscience and Spanish. I plan on going to grad school eventually for a PhD in neuroscience and hope to specialize in developmental disorders. In the lab, I focus on processing and analyzing the physiological data. Outside the lab I play on the women's club ultimate frisbee team; I love the outdoors and hanging out with my friends.

Conner is a sixth-year doctoral student currently on APPIC internship at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. His internship focuses on intellectual and developmental disabilities in children, including both inpatient and outpatient assessment and intervention. Conner's research utilizes biobehavioral approaches to examine early markers of common comorbid psychiatric conditions (i.e., anxiety) to decrease the age of diagnosis and provide potential targets of intervention. During his free time, Conner enjoys being outdoors hiking, preferably followed by a local craft brewery.

Abigail graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in August of 2022. She worked in the CANDi Lab during her second year in the Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program. Abigail participated in the Pivotal Response Training research study by coding videos of children interacting with their caregivers. She was able to learn about the presentation of autism characteristics in a variety of children along with seeing the impact of caregiver training on a child's speech and language development. After graduating, she is completing her clinical fellowship as a speech-language pathologist at Sprout Pediatrics. Abigail works with children ages birth to 18 in their natural environment on a variety of language, speech, AAC, social, and feeding goals.

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER

UNDERGRAD RESEARCHER