About
Theses and Presentations
Project Photos
People
Mission and Values
The mission of the HEAAL Lab is to help ease the burdens (Mosiah 24:14-15) of adults with aphasia by:
- Obtaining and disseminating new knowledge to scientific and clinical communities
- Developing students' capacity to serve and advocate for people with aphasia
- Consecrating time and resources to improve quality of life for people with aphasia
- Strengthening relationships between people with aphasia and their families
Core Values: Humility, Faith, Diligence
Thesis Projects
Christensen, Madie, "Marriage and Family Therapists' Perspectives of Working With Couples Impacted by Aphasia: General Perceptions and Response to Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training" (2024). [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Williams, Camille, "Exploring Posttraumatic Growth in Aphasia: A Qualitative Investigation" (2023). [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Pertab, Kathryn-Anne, "The Acceptability of Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training for Couples Impacted by Aphasia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study" (2023). [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Sanford, Caleb Henderson, "The Effects of Time Pressure on Speech Fluency in Aging Adults: Comparisons With Divided Attention" (2023). [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Hegewald, R. (2022). The Impact of Background Noise on the Communicative Experience of People With Mild to Moderate Aphasia: A Qualitative Study. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Vivian, W. (2022). An Exploratory Study of Behavioral Engagement in People With and Without Aphasia: Comparisons and Relationships. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
LeCheminant, E. (2022). Effects of Background Noise on the Spoken Language of Young and Older Adults During Narrative Discourse. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Johnson, A. (2021). Physiological Arousal, Emotion, and Word Retrieval in Aphasia: Effects and Relationships. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Nielsen, C. (2020). Effect of positive and negative emotion on naming accuracy in adults with aphasia. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
Loveridge, C. (2020). Effects of positive and negative emotional valence on response time during a confrontational naming task: Findings from people with aphasia and young adults. [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Brigham Young University.
RC-CPT ASHA 2023
CAC 2022 Poster
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Principle Investigator
Dr. Tyson G Harmon
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Disorders
I am interested in research that advances behavioral assessment and treatment of adult neurological communication disorders. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how language functioning and recovery after stroke is affected by mood and attention and in learning how to help people with aphasia transfer gains made in therapy to their everyday communication.
Graduate Student Research Assistants
Chloe Chapman Houghton
2nd Year MS SLP Student
I am from Modesto, California and I love to wakeboard, try new foods, bake, and spend time with my family and friends. I am a Senior here at BYU studying Communication Disorders with a minor in Gerontology. I recently married my best friend Levi in April and have never been happier! I love this field and the potential we have to help patients of all ages achieve the quality of life they desire. When I first started this major, the effects of aphasia and TBI on a patient’s ability to communicate quickly fascinated me, so I am beyond excited to already be involved firsthand in this facet of the field.
Abby Jensen
2nd Year MS SLP Student
I am from South Jordan, UT and I'm currently a first-year graduate student in the Communication Disorders program. I am interested in anything to do with the brain, particularly how it is involved in speech, language and cognition. I really enjoy working with individuals who have neurological communication disorders and have loved my experiences in the BYU Aphasia Lab. Some of my hobbies include playing tennis, reading, and playing the piano.
Jasmine Espinoza
2nd Year MS SLP Student
I am from Provo, Utah and I am currently a second-year graduate student. I have been married for almost 3 years to my amazing husband, Jack. Some of our hobbies include cast iron cooking, traveling, fly fishing, and wake surfing. I chose this career path after observing the speech-language pathologist who provided genuine and compassionate care during my grandpa's stroke recovery. I have enjoyed working in the aphasia lab and I hope to carry these experiences into a hospital setting working with individuals who have had Strokes and TBIs.
Undergraduate Student Research Assistants
Alex Jarvis
I am from Grants Pass, Oregon and am a senior studying Exercise Science. I am preparing to go to medical school with the aim of becoming an otolaryngologist. I have tried a couple majors in my time at BYU, but my first was Communication Disorders. When I started going that direction, I was inspired by the cause of devoting my life's work to bettering the lives of others. It really was what motivated me to pursue medicine and become an ENT, especially when I learned the anatomy involved in the practice and took Anatomy as a prerequisite course. My time in the Aphasia Lab has helped me learn how to better serve and understand others and I look forward to more experiences to come.
June Oaks
I am from Provo Utah and am a Senior in the Communication Disorders major, aiming to become a Speech and Language Pathologist. I love how the COMD major ties together many things I love, such as my love of sound and music, my love of language, and my love of helping people! I enjoy fiddling, painting, learning Dutch, and trying new things! A new skill I’m currently learning is Irish dance. I’m very excited to work with amazing people and learn more about aphasia in this lab. My goal is to go to grad school to become a Speech and Language Pathologist.
Sadie North
I am a junior in the COMD program with minors in gerontology, family science, and music. I am from San Francisco and love being involved in research that can be applied to medical and speech therapy work. My grandpa has had multiple strokes and I have a huge appreciation for the effects of speech pathology on aphasia.
Kiffyn Andreasen
I'm from Las Vegas, Nevada and I am in my last semester of the COMD program. My favorite things to do are sew, roller skate, and go thrift shopping. I'm currently fixated on Penguin Brothers pazookies, specifically the double chocolate one. I also could eat Indian and Thai food everyday of the week! Since beginning the program, I have always been most interested in issues typically involving the older population. Anything stroke related is very fascinating to me. After studying aphasia in various classes, I am excited to help and meet some great people while working in the lab!
Natalie Heinig
Hi I'm Natalie Heinig! I'm from Dallas, Texas and love to talk Texas any chance I get! I am a current undergraduate student in the Communication Disorders program. My plan is to pursue a carreer as a Speech Language Pathologist after my undergraduate program. I was drawn to this carreer because of my passion for working with and helping people around me! I hope to be a light in other's lives as so many are for me! I find the brain very fascinating and look forward to working on the Post Traumatic Growth project in this Aphasia Lab!
Marin Farnsworth
I was born and raised in Clovis, California in a family of fiesty redheads! BYU was (and still is!) my dream school. I'm a senior in the undergraduate communication disorders program and this will be my second semester in the HEAAL. Working in the Aphasia lab has sparked my interest in the brain's role in speech and language. After graduate school I hope to work as an SLP in a rehab facility where I can serve and minister to post-stroke and TBI patients. I love indoor cycling and watercoloring and I dream of someday beating my husband in a game of "HORSE".
Audrey Saunders
My name is Audrey Saunders and I am from Southern California! This is my second semester in the COMD program and I want to go into speech and language pathology. I love anything to do with the ocean whether it is surfing, lounging, sailing, or swimming. My bucketlist places to go are Italy, Greece, and Fiji. Being on this research team is a dream come true! I had the opportunity to work at a skilled nursing facility over the summer and loved being able to connect with the individual in the clinic.
Leila Moore
I am originally from Southern California and come from a family of six. I am finishing my undergraduate program in communication disorders and plan to continue my education. I enjoy baking, learning new things, and find great joy in helping others. I am grateful for the many skills I have learned here at BYU and I look forward to using those skills to improve the quality of life of those around me.
Macall Walker
Hi! My name is Macall Walker! I've moved around a bit, but I went to high school in Brigham City, UT. I'm an undergraduate student studying Communication Disorders with a minor in Gerontology. I love hiking, music, and spending time with people I love! I first became interested in studying Aphasia after my grandpa had several strokes which resulted in aphasia/apraxia. Although my interests in the field have broadened, I'm still super fascinated by Aphasia, and I hope to help post-stroke patients in my future career. I'm so excited to be in the Aphasia lab this year!
Kimmi North
I am from Snowflake Arizona and grew up on Bellybutton Lane! I served my mission in the Salt Lake City South Mission. I grew up riding dirt bikes, jeeping, camping, mountain biking, and going on adventures! I love playing soccer, singing, and eating lots of sweets! This is my first semester in the Communication Disorder Program. I am very passionate about helping others and plan to get my master's in Speech-Language Pathology so I can help post-stroke patients recover and reconnect with their loved ones!
Mari Xela Merrill
Hi I'm Mari Xela Merrill and am a sophomore at BYU. I am excited to continue in the Communication Disorders program and see where I end up. I got married in the Spring of 2023 after returning from my mission in Austin, TX and Montevideo, UY where my husband and I met. I grew up in the small town of Ashton, Idaho and miss the view of the Tetons. I enjoy beautiful, but easy, hikes, watching funny movies, and playing games with friends and family. The aphasia lab caught my attention when I learned that aphasia can be a result of a TBI and after having my fair share of TBI's I was dying to learn more.
Sofia Bryan
I am from a small town in Arizona called Page, its famously known for being right next to Lake Powell! So, naturally I love swimming, boating, and wake surfing. I am an undergrad student in the COMD program and I hope to work in a hospital as an SLP. I feel passionatly about the importance of communication, having a voice, and being heard. I love my family, I love BYU, and I love chocolate :)
Anna Dummer
Hi I'm Anna Dummer! I grew up in Sherwood Oregon, so I have a deep appreciation for waterfall hikes and evergreen trees. I love to read on rainy days and rollerskate on the sunny ones. I also enjoy doing art, playing board games, and watching movies with friends. I am currently a sophmore in the Communication Disorders program. I am facinated with Aphasia, and I love the idea of focusing on post traumatic growth. I aim to be an SLP someday so I can help, lift, love, and support others.
Emily Gillette
I am from Gilbert, Arizona. Some of my hobbies include hiking, playing volleyball, eating homeade pazookies, and challenging my family in crokinole. I am a pre-communication disorder major. Previous to this last semester I didn't know what Aphasia was. However, I spent the last year working at an assisted living facility where several residents were stroke-survivors. I grew a love for my friends with aphasia and an overall fascination in how aphasia works and how treatments can significantly improve individuals lives. I am excited to work with this team to understand better how to advocate for those with Aphasia!
Eldon Haymore
Hi! My name is Eldon Haymore. I am from Chandler, Arizona. This is my third semester as a COMD undergraduate student at BYU. I am excited to meet new people and learn more about aphasia as I prepare for a career in medical speech pathology. My hobbies outside of class include hiking and writing.
Kaitlin Palmer
My name is Kaitlin Palmer and I am from Eagle Idaho. I am currently an undergraduate student in the Communication Disorders program. My plan after graduation is to attend grad school and become a Speech Language Pathologist. I was drawn to this field from my love of serving others, especially those with disabilites. I am looking forward to using my time in the aphasia lab to help individuals with aphasia and their loved ones. Some of my passions include playing the clarinet in the BYU marching band, spending time with family and friends, and helping missionaries at the Missionary Training Center!
Olivia Shepherd
I am from Kaysville, Utah and am majoring in Communication Disorders with a minor in gerontology. I served a mission in Dallas, Texas and absolutely love tacos. I love sports, playing the piano, zumba, hiking, and horseback riding! I would love to work as an SLP in the hospital setting one day. I think that participating in research helps us to be advocates for individuals with aphasia and am excited to learn new skills in order to help individuals with aphasia.
Marrin Vandygriff
I am from Dallas, Texas and I love wakeboarding and baking! I served my mission in Miami, FL and loved teaching english classes there. This is where my passion for helping others communicate started. I am in my second semester of the COMD program. I have always been fascinated with aphasias, and I hope to work with people with aphasias as an SLP. I have a passion for communication, especially helping others know how to communicate effectively, which is why I am super excited to be on the RC-CPT team.