Gray Matter Lab Team Members
Graduate Students
Semira Embaye
Education
- 2027 M.S Candidate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Francisco State University
- 2025 B.S in Communication Science and Disorders, California State University Fullerton
Research Interests
The vast opportunity for learning within the field of speech-language pathology has always interested me. Being able to work with a wide range of ages in a variety of settings and learning from everyone I meet is very important to me. As a Black woman, I often find myself in academic, professional, and everyday settings where I don't see many people who look like me. Through the Gray Matter Lab, it gives me the opportunity to learn alongside Black adults with aphasia, while also being the representation we so often don't see in these spaces. In this role, I can contribute to creating a safe, welcoming environment where they Black adults with aphasia are seen, supported and can express themselves freely.
Camryn Hissen
Education
- 2027 M.S. Candidate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Francisco State University
- 2024 Leveling courses in Speech-Language Pathology, San Diego State University
- 2025 B.S. in Biology, University of San Francisco
Research Interests
I am a first-year graduate student who has been helping to facilitate the English Conversation Club for the year prior to starting my master's program. I have also helped transcribe for the research project on the experiences of Black adults with aphasia. I am passionate about culturally responsive practice in the field of speech and language pathology, specifically for clients with aphasia. I am excited to continue facilitating the English Conversation Club, helping to build community and strengthen conversation skills, as well as learning to be a strong SLP.
Mary Justine B. Suapengco
Education
- 2027 M.S. Candidate in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, New York University
- 2025 B.S. Speech Language and Hearing Sciences and Child and Adolescent Development, San Francisco State University
- 2022 A.A. Early Childhood Education, Skyline College
Research Interests
I am a bilingual Tagalog-English student. My mission is to support and treat individuals seeking rehabilitation services by promoting inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive care. At the Gray Matter Lab, I contribute to the English-Tagalog translanguaging project. I joined this team because I'm interested in advancing aphasia interventions in order to improve communication and overall quality of life for multilingual and multicultural people with aphasia.
Arissa Melaine Alfaro Ventura
Education
- 2027 M.S. Candidate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. San Francisco State University
- 2025 B.S. Candidate in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Francisco State University
- 2023 A.A. Liberal Arts - Arts and Letters at De Anza College
Research Interests:
Language and its integral ties to one's identity has always fascinated me. I am drawn to the field of speech and language pathology because the ability to communicate and be understood is a fundamental aspect for existence and participating in a community. In the Gray Matter Lab, I am part of the Tagalog-English translanguaging AbSANT Project. I am a Filipino immigrant and language use and experience is key to my daily interactions. Thus, working on a mixed language project such as translanguaging AbSANT is fulfilling. I know firsthand how translanguaging in therapy has the potential to improve quality of life for Tagalog-English people with aphasia.
Nadia Van Wiggeren
Education
- 2026 M.S. Candidate in Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences
San Francisco State University - 2023 Post-Baccalaureate Program in Speech-Language Pathology
San Diego State University - 2021 B.A. in Mathematics
Haverford College
Research Interests
As a Spanish-English bilingual, I am passionate about meeting the needs of Spanish-speaking or bilingual adults with aphasia. I chose SLHS because I realized that feeling listened to and understood by others is one of the fundamental emotions of the human experience, and therapy can help remove obstacles that people may have to connecting with others. Through the Gray Matter Lab, I support Spanish-speaking adults with aphasia in multiple ways by working on the AbSANT project and co-facilitating the Spanish Conversation Club.
Undergraduate
Emma Holland
Education:
- 2026 B.S. Candidate; Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences & Molecular Biology, San Francisco State University
Research Interests:
Though I originally have a background in molecular biology, I decided to pursue a career in speech language pathology while working at a functional academic school for autistic children. My goal as a future clinician is to help neurodivergent kids develop their skills of self-advocacy and interpersonal connection. I’m also interested in researching the neurophysiological mechanisms of language acquisition and social communication in neurodivergent populations. I’m currently a co-facilitator for the English Conversation Club in the Gray Matter Lab.