Our Team
Principle Investigator
Hannah Rowe, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Office: Forsyth 228A
Phone: 802-274-2188
Email: h.rowe@northeastern.edu
Dr. Rowe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the director of the ASCENT Lab. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Linguistics from Dartmouth College, her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the George Washington University, and her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Dr. Rowe is passionate about the integration of computer science and neuroscience with speech-language pathology to advance personalized medicine for speech motor-impaired populations (specifically, adults who stutter and individuals with neurodegenerative conditions).
Lab Members
Current Graduate and Post-Graduate Students
Esmé DiStefano-Forti
Research Coordinator
Esmé is a recent graduate from New York University, where she received a B.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. During her time at NYU, she worked in a research lab focusing on pediatric speech. Now she is excited to explore her interests in adult speech at the ASCENT Lab. Fun Fact: Esmé loves to listen to music and is always trying to find new songs and artists to listen to.
Gauri Udaysing Shinde
AI and Data Science Specialist
Gauri recently graduated from Northeastern University with a Master’s in Analytics and a concentration in AI and Machine Learning. Her background includes research assistantships and projects in data science, machine learning, and data visualization. She has a strong foundation in data analytics and programming, and she is passionate about using these skills to drive social change and improve lives. Fun fact: Gauri is a trained Kathak dancer and loves to sketch and paint in her free time!
Isaac Toth
Research Assistant
Isaac is a first-year Master’s student in Northeastern University’s Speech-Language Pathology Program. He obtained his B.A. in Linguistics at the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada and an M.A. in Linguistics at the University of Oslo in Norway. After graduating, he would like to work as an SLP with older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Fun fact: Isaac used to compete in cup-stacking.
Rohan Kasodariya
Research Assistant
Rohan Kasodariya is a Master of Professional Studies in Applied Machine Intelligence candidate at Northeastern University, Boston. His interests include data science, machine learning, and healthcare analytics, with experience in clinical data analysis, predictive modeling, and speech signal processing. He recently completed a co-op at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Voice Center, where he applied machine learning to voice disorder research, and presented a poster on Parkinson’s speech classification at BSMCS 2025. Fun fact: Rohan enjoys exploring new cuisines and is always on the hunt for hidden food gems.
Samruddhi Raut
Research Assistant
Samruddhi Raut is a Master of Professional Studies in Analytics candidate at Northeastern University, Boston. Her interests include data analytics, healthcare analytics, and big data technologies, with a focus on transforming complex datasets into meaningful insights that support research and decision-making. She is skilled in SQL, Python, R, Spark, and visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, and Qlik Sense. Fun fact: Samrudhhi is a trained Bharatanatyam classical dancer with certification and was a member of Northeastern’s Sanskriti dance crew.
Olivia Lord
Research Assistant
Olivia Lord is a graduate from Vassar College, NY, where she received her a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior. Her background involves work in the undergraduate Neuroscience lab at Vassar studying neuroglia and in the healthcare field as an EMT and Urgent Care Technician. As a person who stutters, Olivia is passionate about stuttering advocacy, acceptance, and understanding the neural differences that underpin stuttering. Fun fact: Olivia is originally from Surrey in England, and she is most likely to be found hiking in the woods with her mini Australian Shepherd.
Current Undergraduate Students
Sanketh Udupa
Research Assistant
Sanketh is a second-year undergraduate student at Northeastern University, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience with a minor in Data Science. He is currently pursuing the pre-med track. He is interested in speech and how it relates to neurodegenerative diseases. Fun fact: Sanketh has a signed jersey from Rob Gronkowski from when he visited Northeastern.
Rachel Cason
Research Assistant
Rachel is a first-year undergraduate student at Northeastern University with a major in Behavioral Neuroscience. She is currently on the pre-med track. Rachel is interested in studying neurodegenerative and pediatric neurological disorders. Fun fact: Rachel has been playing the cello for 10 years!
Past Lab Members
Mia Cerami, Research Assistant (Sept 2024 – July 2025): BA in East Asian and Cultural Studies with Minor in Linguistics at Smith College, current MS student in Speech-Language Pathology at Northeastern University
Sarah Coyle, Research Assistant (Sept 2024 – July 2025): BS in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology with Minor in Psychology at Northeastern University, current MS student in Speech-Language Pathology at Northeastern University
Neda Stoeva, Research Assistant (Oct 2024 – July 2025): current BS student in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University
Krishay Matneja, Research Assistant (Oct 2024 – July 2025): current BS student in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University
Tess Latham, Research Assistant (May 2025 – Sept 2025): BS in Linguistics and Psychology with Minor in French and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at Northeastern University, current MS student in Speech-Language Pathology at Boston University