Our lab is made up of stuttering-curious folks at every stage of their academic journey, united by a shared commitment to understand and destigmatize stuttering.Meet the Team
Lab Director
Dr. Naomi H. Rodgers
PhD, CCC-SLP
Naomi is originally from the Chicago area. She holds a B.A. in Communication Sciences from the University of Vermont (2010), an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Iowa (2012), and a Ph.D. in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Iowa (2019). She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Iowa, a Researcher Affiliate of the Center for Social Science Innovation at the University of Iowa, and a certified speech-language pathologist. She also leads the Iowa City chapter of the National Stuttering Association.
As a person who stutters, Naomi has always been intrigued by the complexity of stuttering—its variability, its connection to identity, its impact on relationships. To research these topics, she draws inspiration from the fields of behavioral health, cognitive science, and counseling psychology. Outside of work, Naomi enjoys watching Survivor with her husband and daughter, hiking, cooking her way through new cuisines, and snuggling with her pups, Obi and Ozzy.
Email: naomi-rodgers@uiowa.edu
PhD Mentees
CJ Hedgepeth, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
CJ is a first year PhD student, speech-language pathologist, and person who stutters from Culpeper, VA. His research interests focus on the subjective experience of stuttering, intersectionality, and advancing strengths-based approaches to speech therapy. His work emphasizes fostering confidence, acceptance, self-advocacy, and quality of life for people who stutter, rather than focusing solely on fluency. Outside of academia and clinical practice, CJ enjoys art, music, and spending time with his dog, Maggie Mae.
PhD Student
Kerrigan is a second year PhD student from Kansas City, MO whose interests currently lie in stuttering pedagogy, anticipation, and cognitive biases. Kerrigan's long-term goals center on developing and implementing research to help people of all ages live well with stuttering. Outside of the lab, Kerrigan loves to read, craft, and restore dolls.
PhD Student
Julia Kerrigan, M.A., CF-SLP
Thesis Mentees
Claire Beckman
Claire is a 1st year master’s SLP student from Andover, MN. Her thesis topic is TBD.
Emma is a 2nd year master’s SLP student from Ankeny, IA. Emma is exploring perceived barriers to school-based SLPs addressing the social-emotional needs of their students with communication disorders.
Emma Donnelly
Makenzie is an undergraduate Speech and Hearing Science major from Eldridge, IA. Makenzie is examining the impact of stuttering-related support within the social networks of youth who stutter.
Makenzie Housenga
Phoebe is a 1st year master’s SLP student from Iowa City, IA. Phoebe is exploring how youth who stutter conceptualize stuttering concealment.
Phoebe Low
Natalie is a 2nd year master’s SLP student from Winthrop, IA. Natalie is exploring how people who stutter characterize listener reactions to stuttering, colloquially known as “the look.”
Natalie Schloss
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Parker Akkeron
Future SLP from Lisle, IL
Makayla Brown
Future SLP from Ottumwa, IA
Adelyn Platt
Future SLP from Dallas Center, IA
Taylor Ray
Future SLP from Swisher, IA
Sophia Romero
Future SLP from Iowa City, IA
Alumni
Serina Daniels (M.A. 2025)
Erin Evanitz (B.A. 2024)
Hannah Greene (M.A. 2024)
Camryn Griffin (B.A., 2026)
Kelly Jacobs (B.A. 2024)
Peyton Kellum (B.A. 2025)
Heather Kennebeck (B.A. 2025)
Ashley Kushner (B.A. 2026)
Darby Marsh (B.A. 2024)
Ellie Masten (M.A. 2024)
Chloe Menneke (B.A. 2026)
Malina Paley (B.A. 2025)
Jaclyn Simpson (B.A. 2026)
Alyssa Thompson (M.A. 2025)
Lab Manual
In our lab, we prioritize everyone’s engagement, collaboration, learning, and creativity, as these qualities make for a productive lab experience for all. Our lab manual was created to establish clear expectations and guidelines, helping ensure that everyone’s time with the lab is as productive, supportive, and enjoyable as it can be.