COALA Lab

We’re hiring! The Communication and Language Acquisition Lab at Chapman University is looking to hire a research coordinator. This is a full-time position based in Irvine, CA that will begin this summer and continue through May 2027. It is a great opportunity for anyone interested in working on language and literacy projects with DHH children or looking to gain research experience.

Learn more about the position and apply here: https://chapman.peopleadmin.com/postings/39693 

Please contact Dr. Brittany Lee at [email protected] with any questions.

🌟 Team Member of the Week 🌟
 
Meet Michelle!  
 
Michelle is a graduate assistant and a first-year graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. When asked why she wanted to join the CoALA Lab she said, “I wanted to learn about the different ways research can help us better assist clients and improve care.” Here are some facts about Michelle! 
 
🔎 Career Interests: Adult Medical SLP, Neurogenic Disorders, Dysphagia

✨ Personal Interests: Halloween, film, travelling, coastal walks, trying new restaurants, cosmetology, art, and spoiling my dog with more toys than she probably needs

📚 Favorite Children’s Book: “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs”

Are you a deaf or hard-of-hearing speech-language pathologist? The Communication and Language Acquisition Lab is conducting a research study to learn more about the professional experiences of D/HH SLPs.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please complete the screener at https://chapmanu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2mvmqPibQ8siqy to see if you qualify.

🌉 CSHA Convergence 2026 🌉

We had a wonderful time connecting with fellow professionals at the annual CSHA Convergence! Dr. Lee presented on communication opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing clients, and our lab members, Natalie, Clara, and Nicole, shared their findings on graduate-level training for SLPs for deaf children. We are grateful for the opportunity to share and learn in our field.

🌟 Team Member of the Week 🌟

Meet Nicole!  
 
Nicole is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. When asked why she wanted to join the CoALA Lab, she said, “I wanted to learn more about bridging the gap between research and clinical practice.” She added, “I have a passion for all aspects of development, and am particularly eager to delve into literacy and learn how speech-language pathologists can effectively support the deaf and hard of hearing community.” Here are some facts about Nicole! 
 
🔎 Career Interest: Early Intervention, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing  

✨ Personal Interests: Reading, journaling, trying new recipes, and watching Dodger baseball and UCLA basketball 

📚 Favorite Children’s Book: “Barnyard Dance”

We are thrilled to share our latest publication! Our new research article explores how signed languages differ from signed communication systems and highlights why it is critical for SLPs to avoid conflating the two in clinical practice. The full article is now published and available.

Dr. Lee will be presenting this research at the upcoming CSHA convergence in March - we hope to see you there!

Lee, B., Secora, K., Hall, M. L., Geer, L., Smith, D., & Coppola, M. (2026). Not all signing is sign language: The risks of conflating communication opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. https://doi.org/10.1044/2025_PERSP-25-00178

🌟 Team Member of the Week 🌟

Meet Sarina! 
 
Sarina is an undergraduate research assistant and a sophomore majoring in Psychology. When asked why she wanted to join the CoALA Lab, she said she has “a passion for working with kids and research.” Here are some facts about Sarina! 
 
🔎 Academic Interests: Clinical Psychology 

✨ Personal Interests: Tennis, running, cooking, and traveling 

📚 Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree

Fall trimester is in full swing at the CoALA Lab! We’re excited to dive into our upcoming projects and collaborations 📚🤟📝

🌟 Team Member of the Week 🌟

Meet Clara!  
 
Clara is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. When asked why she wanted to join the CoALA Lab, she said, “I love learning more and being part of Dr. Lee’s team in supporting language and literacy development among Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children.” Here are some facts about Clara! 
 
🔎 Career Interest: Medical, Pediatrics, Geriatrics 

✨ Personal Interests: Travelling, playing badminton, photography, and trying new foods  

📚 Favorite Children’s Book: “Doraemon”

September is Deaf Awareness Month!

At the CoALA Lab, we aim to improve speech-language pathology services to support language and literacy development for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children. 🤟💛