L.E.A.R.N. Lab

Language Education and Research Network (L.E.A.R.N)

In the L.E.A.R.N. Lab, speech language pathologists (SLPs) are dedicated to better understanding the process of word learning, language acquisition and literacy skill development. We are interested in how those with hearing loss acquire spoken language and the interaction between noise and learning at all ages.

Developing projects include:

  • Qualitative study into how educators perceive, define and teach on culturally sensitive topics, such as ableism, racism, sexism and ageism
  • Observational study on pre-linguistic gesture development in the Deaf and hard of hearing population
  • Hearing screenings for lower Fairfield County preschools

Meet the Team

Caitlin RossCaitlin Ross, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Caitlin Ross is the principal investigator of L.E.A.R.N. Lab. She earned her M.S. in speech-language pathology from Ithaca College and her Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders from West Virginia University. Dr. Ross conducts research in child language and literacy development, most recently exploring contextualized word learning outcomes in response to varying types and volumes of background noise.

She holds a particular interest in the speech perception and spoken language acquisition of the Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) population. She is currently investigating pre-linguistic gesture development in the DHH population. Dr. Ross’s research aims to better understand how those with hearing loss learn spoken language and the interaction between noise and learning at all ages.

Claudia Pajares VallejoClaudia Pajares Vallejo

Claudia Pajares Vallejo received her BA from the University of Connecticut and is currently pursuing her M.S. in speech-language pathology at Sacred Heart University. She enjoys working with both the adult and pediatric populations. Her interests include literacy skills and language development in the hard of hearing population. In the L.E.A.R.N. Lab, she assists in the development of new research. As part of the lab community project, she aids the lab director in performing hearing screenings in pre-schools across the Fairfield and Bridgeport area.

Jada McCloggan

Jada McClogganJada McCloggan earned her BS from the University of Rhode Island and is currently pursuing her MS In speech-language pathology at Sacred Heart University. Her interests include early intervention in the birth to 3 population and speech and language development in preschool-aged children. In the L.E.A.R.N. Lab, she is currently assisting in the development of new qualitative research examining the ways in which educators and clinical practitioners define, perceive and teach the content relevant to the culturally sensitive topics of ableism, racism, ageism and sexism in their classrooms and clinical settings. Jada actively supports the lab director on several ongoing projects and is also involved in L.E.A.R.N.'s community outreach providing hearing screenings to young children in pre-schools and daycare facilities across the Fairfield and Bridgeport area.