Cruse Executive Functioning Lab (CEF Lab)

In the Cruse Executive Functioning Lab, speech-language pathologists harness ways to use gaming technology to better assess and diagnose cognitive-level deficits in individuals living with traumatic brain injury.

The Cruse Executive Functioning Lab (CEF Lab) is dedicated to understanding the impact of executive dysfunction on individuals living with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Primary work is focused on the development of gaming technology that can streamline and improve the assessment and diagnosis of cognitive-level deficits for speech-language pathologists working with this population. Additional projects are centered on investigating the structure and impact of online support groups hosted via social media platforms for individuals with TBI and their caregivers.

Meet the Team

Nicole Cruse, Ph.D.

Dr. Nicole Cruse is the principal investigator for the Cruse Executive Functioning Lab. She has a Ph.D. in speech, language and hearing sciences from the University of Connecticut where she was also a member of the Acquired Language Disorders Lab and the Aphasia Rehab Lab. She is currently directing several research projects in her role as assistant professor in the Communication Disorders Department at Sacred Heart University, including the development of a video game assessment tool for executive dysfunction resulting from brain injury and an in-depth content analysis of posting behaviors on social media mediated support groups for those with TBI.

Latest Research & Publications

Meghan Diorio

Meghan Diorio is a graduate student in the speech-language pathology program at Sacred Heart University. Her current interests are working with those affected by neurogenic disorders such as traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's and aphasia. She enjoys working with both adult and pediatric populations. Meghan is currently assisting with an analysis of confabulation in the discourse productions of individuals with TBI.

Vito Scutari

Vito Scutari, a junior at King School in Stamford, has been working with Dr. Cruse in the CEF lab since 2024 as part of the Advanced Science Program for Independent Research and Engineering (ASPIRE) program. He is currently working on multiple levels of programming and software development for the Comprehensive Assessment for Executive Dysfunction (CAED) and was recently awarded third place in the Connecticut STEM Foundation Science Competition for his work on this project.

Comprehensive Assessment for Executive Dysfunction

Kathleen Vergnolle

Kathleen Vergnolle is a graduate student in the speech-language pathology program at Sacred Heart University. She is passionate about working with both pediatric and adult populations with a particular interest in supporting individuals with neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Vergnolle is interested in the intersection of clinical practice and research. As part of the CEF Lab, she is assisting with a scoping review on confabulation as well as development of Dr. Cruse’s video game assessment tool for executive dysfunction following brain injury.

More Information

Interested in participating in research or learning about the work conducted in the lab? Email Nicole Cruse at crusen2@sacredheart.edu.