SPEECH NEUROPHYSIOLOGY LAB

at the University of Michigan

Spring 2023

News and Updates

A message from our director


Greetings! In this issue of our newsletter, we share our most recent research updates, represented by two new publications that contribute significant new findings on the neuroanatomical and functional bases of childhood stuttering.


Just as the Michigan winter is finally making way to sunnier days and warmer temperatures, we have begun transitioning away from the last 3 years of the pandemic, keeping busy recruiting new research participants, conducting study visits, and holding team meetings in-person.


We look forward to greeting you in person in one of our research studies this year—we are actively recruiting children and adults who stutter, as well as those who have never stuttered!

Headshot of Dr. Soo-Eun Chang

Soo-Eun Chang, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Program Director

Speech Neurophysiology Lab

University of Michigan

New publication in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience


Our paper, Brain developmental trajectories associated with childhood stuttering persistence and recovery, was published in the April 2023 issue of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.

We identified, for the first time, structural differences in the brains of children who stutter, paving the way for deeper investigation and the future development of new stuttering treatments.

Read more
Cover of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

New publication in NeuroImage: Clinical


Our latest publication, Brain activity during the preparation and production of spontaneous speech in children with persistent stuttering, was published in the latest issue of NeuroImage: Clinical. In collaboration with Dr. Ho Ming Chow at the University of Delaware, we reported evidence supporting current theories that stuttering is associated with deficits in key structures and connections within one specialized area of the brain: the basal ganglia thalamocortical network.

Read more

A day in the life


Have you ever wondered what it's like to spend a day working in our lab? Nick Mularoni, our Research Specialist, was recently featured in Michigan Medicine Headlines. Check out the article profiling his work and learn more about a day in his life! (hint: scones are essential)

Read more
Nick with van SNL

Spotlight: new lab members

Get to know the newest members of our lab and learn how their talents contribute to our research mission and goals.

Headshot of Fiona Höbler

Fiona Höbler

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About Fiona
Headshot of Stephany Daniel

Stephany Daniel

Communications Specialist

About Stephany
Headshot of Alan Kay

Alan Kay

Clinical Research Assistant

About Alan
Lucas Campbell SNL

Lucas Campbell

Research Technician Associate

About Lucas

Participate in our research


Are you or someone you know interested in participating in stuttering research? We are currently recruiting participants of all ages for our research studies. Our study procedures include surveys, speech and language screenings, and non-invasive brain activity recordings using electroencephalography (EEG). Our participants are compensated for their time and are helping to advance the field of stuttering research.

Learn more

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