Student Team

Claire Tembreull (2021-Current)

I’m from Gladstone, MI, and I am a first year graduate student at Central Michigan University studying Speech Language Pathology. I am also the Graduate Assistant for Strong Story Lab. I chose to become a speech-language pathologist because I’m passionate about helping others and believe everyone deserves a chance to share their own unique and individual story. I joined Strong Story Lab to broaden my academic knowledge, research skills, and to learn more about aphasia.   

Lauren Schornack (2021-Current)

I am from Filion, MI, and I am currently a first year graduate student for Central Michigan’s Speech Language Pathology program. I immediately knew I wanted to go into this profession after job shadowing an SLP my senior year of high school. I have loved my time at CMU and all of the opportunities that it has brought me including becoming close with my cohort and the ability see clients in the Carl’s Center Clinic. I loved my time in the Strong Story Lab in undergrad and I cannot wait to keep exploring Aphasia and the  research side of the SLP profession.   


Brantae Luttig (2021-Current)

I am from St. Johns, MI and am currently in my fourth year at Central Michigan University studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in American Sign Language. I am interested in this field because I have a passion for teaching and helping others, and also have an interest in the variety of disorders and impacts that these disorders have on individuals. I joined Strong Story Lab to broaden my experiences, build connections, and learn about aphasia and the research process.

Emma Keilen (2021-Current)

I am from Westphalia, MI and am currently an undergraduate student at Central Michigan University studying Communication Sciences and Disorders. I hope in the future I will be able to become a speech-language pathologist in order to give everyone an equal opportunity in obtaining their own voice. I decided to join Dr. Strong’s lab because I was interested in not only improving upon my research skills, but also gaining a deeper insight into aphasia and its unique characteristics.  

Erica Barta (2021-Current)

I am currently in my fourth year at CMU studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Child Development. My hometown is Chesaning, MI. My passion for helping others and advocating for their communication desires led me to pursue the CSD major. Building relationships with others who share similar interests, enhancing my knowledge pertaining to research, and wanting to learn more about aphasia are all reasons for my decision to join Strong’s Story Lab.  

Amanda Zalucki (2022-Current)

I am a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and minoring in Psychology at CMU. My passion for encouraging and supporting others along with my understanding of the importance of effective communication have guided me to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. I heard about the Strong Story Lab through parents of alumni while waitressing in my hometown, Romeo, MI. I joined the Strong Story Lab to learn more about aphasia and research so that I can confidently and comfortably utilize EBP as a future clinician. I also wanted to make connections with peers who have similar interests and passions. 

Brooke Stump (2022-Current)

I am from the small town of Westphalia, MI. I am currently a senior at CMU studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. I chose to become an SLP because of my passion to help others and am excited to advocate for those who don’t have a voice. I am very excited to be joining the Strong Story Lab this upcoming fall! By joining the Strong Story Lab, I will add a multitude of skills to my clinical toolbox including increased knowledge in conducting research, collaborating with colleagues, and overall knowledge of aphasia.   

Kasey Trebilcock (2022-Current)

I am from Midland, MI and am currently a post-bac student studying CSD at CMU, following receiving my BS in Neuroscience from SVSU in 2021. I chose to pursue CSD because I believe everyone deserves a voice, and communication is such an integral part of our lives. I chose to join the Strong Story Lab because I enjoy being involved in research, and aphasia has always been an interesting topic to me.  

Elyse Hileman (2022-Current)

I am from Pinckney, MI. I am a senior here at CMU and am double majoring in Neuroscience and Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. I went into college knowing I wanted to go into a health profession specializing in neurology, but I was unsure which one. I also had some personal experiences with family members with speech disorders, neurological disorders, or both. These exposures helped drive my decision and passion for my future career to help others. I joined the Strong Story Lab to gain knowledge about aphasia and how to support clients with the most recent research findings. 

Serena Chase (2022- Current)

I’m from Sanford, MI and am currently a senior at CMU double majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Psychology. I chose to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist because communication plays such an important role in our lives and I am passionate about helping others find ways to express themselves. I joined the Strong Story Lab because I want to become more familiar with research in the field and learn about ways to support individuals with aphasia. 

Chloe Ilacqua (2019-Current)

I am a first year graduate student at Central Michigan, currently pursuing my Masters Degree in Speech Language Pathology. I am from Brighton MI and started doing research in the lab in 2019. Originally I joined Strong Story Lab because I was, and still am passionate about using story telling as a means for healing and coping with having a communication disorder. After being a part of lab for a few years I have been inspired to continue working and making a difference in the lives of adults with communication disorders. My favorite part of lab has been being able to learn so much about research, and participate as a student coach in the Photovoice project!

Allison Strnad (2022-Current)

I am a second year undergraduate student majoring in Communcation Sciences and Disorders and minoring in Psychology at CMU. I was born with hearing loss in my left ear and had speech services for seven years as a child. My experience with speech therapy and passion for helping others has led me to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. I joined Strong Story lab after one of my classes with Dr.Strong where her clients with aphasia came and spoke to our class about their life with aphasia. After that class, I realized I had a passion to spread awareness for aphasia since I didn’t know very much on this topic. This lab provides me an in-depth guide to broaden my knowledge for my future career.

Jenna Locricchio (2022-Current)

I am from Northville, MI and am a junior at Central Michigan University majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Leadership and American Sign Language. I am interested in speech-language pathology because I am passionate about communication and the vital role it has in everyone’s lives. I want to work with others and help them find their own voice because it fosters connection, which is so important as humans. I joined Strong Story Lab because I want to get more research experience and explore more ways to support those with Aphasia. I love learning and I want to take advantage of every opportunity to get more hands-on experience.