STEPP Lab


STEPP Lab Members
	Cara E Stepp, Ph.D., is head of the STEPP LAB for Sensorimotor Rehabilitation Engineering and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. She received the S.B. in Engineering Science from Smith College, S.M. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology. Prior to joining BU, she completed postdoctoral training with Yoky Matsuoka in Computer Science & Engineering and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Dr. Stepp's research uses engineering tools to rehabilitate sensorimotor function. Her long-term research goal is to improve the quality of life of patients with sensorimotor disorders.


	Emma Billard is manager of STEPP Lab for Sensorimotor Rehabilitation Engineering in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences at Boston University. She received her B.A. from Bard College and has previous research experience with the Language Diversity & Literacy Development Research Team at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her goal is to pursue a Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology. In her free time, Emma also enjoys practicing cello, speaking Spanish, and learning.

	Sylvain Favrot is a research engineer in the Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences at Boston University. He is a member of Gerald Kidd's lab. He received his MSc in Engineering Acoustics and his PhD in Electronics and Communication from the Technical University of Denmark. Before joining BU, Sylvain completed his post doctoral studies from the Technical University of Denmark focusing on microphone arrays for realistic acoustic scene reproduction. His work focuses on spatial hearing and the evaluation of hearing instrument performance in everyday life environments.


	Stephanie Lien is a PhD student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. She received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 2011. Her research interests include developing computational techniques for biomedical applications, improving medical diagnostics and treatment, and designing novel biotechnology. She enjoys singing, traveling, and reading.


	Caitie Gattuccio is a masters student in Speech-Language Pathology at Boston University. She received her B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington in 2011. Her previous research focused on improving patient-provider communication for individuals with communication disorders in healthcare settings. Her current research interests include investigating the potential of relative fundamental frequency as a measure of vocal hyperfunction. Caitie’s long-term goal is to practice as a speech-language pathologist, and her hobbies include baking, reading, and exploring Boston.

	Emily Bonazelli is an undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. Her research interests include signal processing and improving medical devices and diagnostic techniques. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical industry. Emily also enjoys traveling, playing ultimate frisbee and watching hockey.


	Lauren Kalfin is an undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. Her research interests include improving medical devices, diagnostics, and methods for rehabilitation for patients. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical device or biotechnology industries. Lauren’s other hobbies include playing softball and watching ice hockey, as well as cooking and traveling.


	Nisha Dhawlikar is an undergraduate student in Biology at Boston University. Her research interests involve developing and testing a videogame-based rehabilitation interface to improve swallowing and speech disorders among individuals. She hopes to attend medical school and use her research knowledge and experiences to become a successful physician in the future. Nisha's hobbies include singing, shopping, and traveling.


	Gabby Hands is an undergraduate student in Biology, specializing in Neurobiology at Boston University. Gabby's research interests include understanding the relationship between acoustic parameters and speech physiology and videogaming for rehabilitation. She hopes to pursue a career in research or medicine and enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, and reading.


	Lynne Messina is an undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. Her research interests include developing new methods for rehabilitation as well as other fields of medicine and drug administration. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical device industry. Lynne’s other hobbies include water sports, fishing, and watching the Patriots.


	Carolyn Michener is an undergraduate student in speech language hearing sciences at Boston University. Her long-term research interests include neuroscience-speech rehabilitation. She hopes to pursue a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, and enjoys reading, watching Sherlock Holmes movies, and FIRST Robotics.


	Alan Pacheco is an undergraduate biomedical engineering student at Boston University. His research interests include the application of engineering principles in the fields of medicine and rehabilitation. Alan hopes to pursue a career in this field, and his hobbies include studying languages and playing music.


	Juliana Valentin is an undergraduate student in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University. Her research interests include using engineering innovation to improve physical rehabilitation methods for people with neuromuscular and neurological diseases. Juliana hopes to enroll in graduate school in the near future. In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer and volleyball, practicing yoga, and exploring the great outdoors.


Lab Alumni
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Current & Recent Collaborators
Deanna Britton, MS, CCC-SLP, University of Washington James A. Burns, MD, Harvard Medical School J. Edward Colgate, PhD, Northwestern University Tanya Eadie, PhD, CCC-SLP, University of Washington James T. Heaton, PhD, Harvard Medical School Robert E. Hillman, PhD, CCC-SLP, Harvard Medical School Eric Larson, PhD, University of Washington Adrian KC Lee, ScD, University of Washington Yoky Matsuoka, PhD, University of Washington Albert L. Merati, MD, University of Washington Tyler Perrachione, MA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sujata Pradhan, PT, PhD, University of Washington



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