Faculty and Staff

Elena Dukhovny, Ph.D.

• U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco State University
• Associate Professor and Department Chair
• Areas of Interest: Alternative and Augmentative Communication, Working Memory, Bilingualism
• Office: MB 2115
• Phone: (510) 885-2631
• E-mail: elena.dukhovny@csueastbay.edu 
• View Faculty profile

Dr. Elena Dukhovny is an Associate Professor in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She received an M.A. in CSD from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Cognition and Development, with emphasis in Special Education, from University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Dukhovny is a licensed clinical speech-language pathologist who has worked in school-based, private practice, non-profit and university settings since 2002, with a focus on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Her recent research has focused on developing effective support systems for para-educators who work with users of speech-generating devices (SGDs).  Previously, she has also explored the effects of SGD interface design on procedural learning and therefore on fluency of language production via SGD.   

Michelle Gravier, Ph.D.

• San Diego State University
• Associate Professor
• Program Director
• Areas of Interest: Aphasia Rehabilitation, Neuroplasticity/Neuromodulation, Neuroimaging
• Office: MB 2121
• Phone: (510) 885-3215
• E-mail: michelle.gravier@csueastbay.edu 
• View Curriculum Vitae
• NRRL (Neurocognitive Research on the Rehabilitation of Language) Lab

Dr. Michelle Gravier received her M.A.-SLP and Ph.D. from San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Her clinical experience and research focus are in adult acquired language disorders with a specialty in neuroimaging.  She has practiced in a variety of medical settings, most recently VA Pittsburgh’s Program for Residential Aphasia Treatment and Education (PIRATE). Dr. Gravier’s research aims to: (1) identify factors that determine which individuals with aphasia are good candidates for restorative language treatments and non-invasive brain stimulation, and (2) examine the relationships between structural and functional brain plasticity, language treatment, and aphasia recovery.

Eve Higby, Ph.D.

• City University of New York
• Associate Professor
• Areas of Interest: Bilingualism, Language Production, Neurolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Cognition, Aging
• Office: MB 2113
• Phone: (510) 885-4372
• E-mail: eve.higby@csueastbay.edu 
• View Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Eve Higby directs the Multilingualism Lab at Cal State, East Bay, and mentors a number of undergraduate and graduate students in research projects. She completed a B.A. in Spanish, with certificates in Linguistics and in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, from Florida International University and a Ph.D. in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, with a concentration in Cognitive Science, from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, followed by a three-year postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. Her research sits at the intersection of linguistics, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and communication disorders. She studies language production and comprehension in bi/multilinguals and older adults, the role of cognition in regulating language, and the neural underpinnings of language and cognitive processes. 

Shubha Kashinath, Ph.D.

• Florida State University
• Professor
• Areas of Interest: Autism, Family-Centered Early Intervention, Personnel Preparation, Disability Justice
• Office: MB 2109
• Phone: (510) 885-3090
• E-mail: shubha.kashinath@csueastbay.edu
• View Faculty profile

Dr. Shubha Kashinath is Professor in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and the Department’s Continuing Education Administrator. She is a Research Development Faculty Fellow at the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and is Co-Director for the Center for Disability Justice Research: Health Equity, Education, and Creativity. She received an M.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Florida State University. Dr. Kashinath's research is focused on individuals with autism across the lifespan, family centered early interventions, personnel preparation in speech language pathology and issues related to disability justice.  She has over 24 years of clinical experience serving families of young children with disabilities.

Zoi Gkalitsiou, Ph.D.

• University of Texas at Austin
• Assistant Professor
• Areas of Interest: Fluency and Fluency Disorders, Bilingualism, Psycholinguistics
• Office: MB 2111
• E-mail: zoi.gkalitsiou@csueastbay.edu

Stacey Landberg, M.S.

• Florida State University
• Lecturer
• E-mail: stacey.landberg@csueastbay.edu 

Stacey Landberg has been practicing as a speech-language pathologist for 18 years, primarily in Los Angeles, California. Her areas of interest include early intervention, trauma-informed practice, and childhood apraxia of speech. Stacey is a national guest lecturer since 2015. She presently works in private practice and with teams and learning communities to build capacity for early intervention providers across various disciplines. 

Nabonita Dutta, SLP.D., CCC-SLP

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
• Lecturer
• Areas of Interest: Voice Intervention, Swallowing Disorders, Gender-Affirming Voice Care
• Email: nabonita.dutta@csueastbay.edu

Dr. Dutta began teaching at California State University, East Bay in 2023. She has over 20 years' expertise in healthcare as a licensed speech-language pathologist and is currently a senior speech therapist at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Dutta's research focus and interests are gender-affirming care and tele-speech therapy. She has extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of adult speech, language, cognitive, voice, and swallowing disorders. Dr. Dutta is passionate about equity, inclusion, diversity, and high-quality patient care and professional development. Clinically relevant content, evidence-based practice, and storytelling are key components to her teaching style.

Jenan Maaz, SLP.D, CCC-SLP, CBIS

• Northwestern Univeristy
• Lecturer
• Areas of Interest: Dysphagia and DEI
• Email: jenan.maaz@csueastbay.edu

Dr. Jenan Maaz is a medical speech-language pathologist with primary interests in dysphagia and DEI. She has experience across the healthcare continuum with the majority of her experience in acute care and most recently in the NICU. Dr. Maaz completed her Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) from Northwestern University, her M.S. from San Francisco State University, and her B.A. from San Jose State University. She is MBSImp Certified, SPEAK OUT! Certified, FEES certified, and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.

Shelley M. Simrin, M.A.

• San Francisco State University
• Director of Clinical Services
• Areas of Interest: Speech and Language Diagnostics, Child Language, Aphasia
• Office: MB 1097A
• Phone: (510) 885-4762
• E-mail: shelley.simrin@csueastbay.edu

Shelley Simrin has been the Director of the Speech Language Hearing Clinic at Cal State East Bay since 1987. She received her B.A. in Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and her M.A. in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University. She considers herself a “generalist.” After spending several years exclusively working with children as an itinerant clinician or a Communication Handicapped classroom teacher, she shifted her focus to adults.  She provided treatment to adults with neurogenic disorders, secondary to strokes, head injuries, and other medical conditions in a variety of settings─ critical care, acute rehabilitation, outpatient, skilled nursing and home health.  This generalist perspective coupled with her extensive background in supervision provides a strong foundation for the Cal State East Bay Speech-Language Pathologist training program. Her areas of interest include: diagnostics, linguistics, adult and pediatric language impairments, and counseling clients or families. Shelley was the 2011 recipient of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association's Outstanding Service Award.

Jenny L. Rosenquist, M.A.

• California State University, San Diego
• Clinical Supervisor and Coordinator of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, Lecturer
• Areas of Interest: Clinical Supervision, Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Office: MB 1088
• Phone: (510) 885-4278
• E-mail: jenny.rosenquist@csueastbay.edu

Jenny Rosenquist joined Cal State East Bay in 2007 as a full-time Clinical Supervisor and intermittent lecturer. She received her B.A and M.A. degrees in Communication Disorders from San Diego State University. After 7 years of working with adults in various levels of rehabilitation, including outpatient, acute care and skilled nursing, she spent the next 9 years working with infants and toddlers with developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorders. During this time she worked extensively with families and caregivers in the home environment, and frequently supervised interns and clinical fellows in both the home and classroom. Since joining Cal State East Bay, she has expanded her interests to include accent reduction, treatment of adult acquired speech and language disorders, early childhood communication disorders and most recently, as the Coordinator of the SLP-A Program. She continues to provide speech therapy to both pediatric and adult clients through private practice and home health agencies.

Sophia Kanenwisher, SLPD

• Northwestern University
• Aphasia Treatment Program Director, Lecturer
• Areas of Interest: Aphasia, Dysphagia, Health Literacy
• Office: MB 1566
• Phone: (510) 885-3246
• E-mail: sophia.kanenwisher@csueastbay.edu 

Sophia Kanenwisher joined the SLHS staff in 2018 as an ATP clinical supervisor. Her clinical interests include aphasia treatment aligning with the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA), dysphagia, and health literacy. In addition to her positions in the department, she works as a medical SLP in acute care and also volunteers as a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA). Sophia completed her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University, Master of Arts from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and Doctor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLPD) from Northwestern University.

Leah Huang, M.S.

• California State University, East Bay
• Intermittent Clinical Supervisor
• Areas of Interest: Autism Spectrum Disorders, caregiver training, teacher collaboration
• Office: MB 1099
• Phone: (510) 885-3241
• E-mail: leah.huang@csueastbay.edu 

Leah Huang is a dually certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her undergraduate degree from Biola University in Communication Disorders and her graduate degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from California State University, East Bay. From early intervention and accent modification therapy to pragmatics and social skills training, Leah has worked in both private practice and schools. She has presented at both state and national conventions on clinical supervision, assessment and treatment of social pragmatic language disorders, and special education collaboration. 

 

Stephanie Williams, MS

• California State University, East Bay
• Clinical Supervisor
• Areas of Interest: Dysphagia, Aphasia, Palliative and end of life care
• Phone: (510) 885-3241
• Office: MB 1099
• Email: stephanie.johnson@csueastbay.edu

 Stephanie Williams is a speech pathologist with 10 years of experience across healthcare settings throughout the lifespan. She completed her undergraduate degree in Communicative Sciences and Deaf Studies at Fresno State and her Master’s of Speech Pathology from California State University, East Bay. She returned to her alma mater as a clinical supervisor with the Aphasia Treatment Program in 2023. In addition to clinical supervision, she continues to work as a medical speech pathologist in the home health and acute care settings with a clinical interest in the SLP’s role in palliative care teams and palliative and end of life dysphagia management. She holds Designations from the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) in Communication, Dementia Care, and Symptom Management. She is SPEAK OUT! Certified, a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and a quality of life enthusias

Jerry Lou Vitellaro, MS

• California State University, East Bay
• Intermimttent Clinical Supervisor
• Areas of Interest: Nuero-affirming care, Autism Spectrum Difference, Persistent Demand for Autonomy, Early Intervention, Gender Affirming Voice and Communication
• Office: MB 1099
• Phone: (510) 885-3241
• Email: jerry.vitellaro@csueastbay.edu 

Jerry Vitellaro received a Bachelor and Master of Science in Communication Disorders from California State University, East Bay. Jerry joined the SLHS staff in 2022 as a clinical supervisor for the Conversation Club, a social pragmatics group for neuro-diverse adults who attend CSUEB. After graduating Jerry began her professional career in a private clinic setting, providing services for families who need guidance and coaching to meet the needs of their exceptional children with speech-language and communication differences. In the private practice clinic setting Jerry enjoys guiding graduate students and SLPAs while completing hours for their clinical internships. Jerry’s interests within this field of practice continue to diversify with a current drive for learning and supporting neurodivergent members of our communities, persistent demand for autonomy (PDA), and furthering educational experience in the areas of gender affirming voice and communication.

Elizabeth Uduehi, M.A. CCC-SLP, MBA

• Indiana University, Bloomington
• Intermimttent Clinical Supervisor
• Areas of Interest: Clinical supervision, AAC, and diverse linguistic support
• Office: MB 1099
• Phone: (510) 885-3241
• Email: elizabeth.uduehi@csueastbay.edu

Elizabeth Uduehi is an ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist with over 10 years of experience. She received her Undergraduate and first Master's degree from Indiana University-Blooming in Speech & Hearing Sciences and Speech Language Pathology, respectively. She also received her Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resources. She has thoroughly enjoyed facilitating treatment, dynamic assessments, and clinical supervision across public and non-public schools to support predominantly culturally and linguistically diverse communicators, with a specialization in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She has also presented at regional, state, and national conventions and conferences, regarding AAC.  

Dianna, McKnight, M.S. CCC-SLP

• California State University, San Marcos
• Clinical Supervisor
• Areas of Interest: Voice, Aphasia, Dysphagia, Autism, Pre-school Lnaguage Development
• Phone: (510) 885-3241
• Office: MB 1099
• Email: dianna.mcknight@csueastbay.edu

Dianna received a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from California State University, San Marcos. Originally from Southern California, Dianna moved to the Bay Area for her clinical fellowship in Pediatric Rehab at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland. Dianna spent the next couple of years working with children and adults in the outpatient setting, before moving into acute care. Dianna currently works at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland. Dianna’s areas of interest include (but are not limited to) Voice, Aphasia, Dysphagia, Autism, Preschool-age Language Development.

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, M.A.

• University of California, Santa Barbara
• Aphasia Treatment Program Program Specialist
• Areas of Interest: Neurogenic Communication Disorders, Group Treatment of Aphasia, Life Participation Approach to Aphasia, Communicative Access
• Office: MB 1564
• Phone: (510) 885-3336
• E-mail: ellen.bernstein-ellis@csueastbay.edu

Ellen Bernstein-Ellis, former Aphasia Treatment Program Director, developed the Aphasia Tones© choir in 2009, a Life Participation singing group. She received her B.A. and M.A. degrees from UC Santa Barbara. She received her initial clinical training at the Martinez VA Medical Center with Dr. Robert T. Wertz where she was a clinician investigating teletechnology as a means to provide aphasia therapy. She worked at Easter Seals Outpatient Rehabilitation Center in Oakland and was the primary clinician on Dr. Roberta Elman’s Efficacy of Group Treatment study. She facilitated conversation groups at the Aphasia Center of California for over 10 years and helped to develop the Book Connection, a program focused on making popular literature accessible for individuals with aphasia. Her area of expertise is group treatment for neurogenic communication disorders. Ellen is the 2014 recipient of a Certificate of Recognition from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association for Special Contributions to Higher Education, and the 2019 recipient of the Innovator Award from the professional organization, Aphasia Access.

Tiffany Ramoneda

• Department Administrative Support Coordinator
• Office: MB 1099A
• Phone: (510) 885-3233
• E-mail: tiffany.ramoneda@csueastbay.edu

Tiffany comes to Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Cal State East Bay.  She has taken several courses in linguistic anthropology, which provides some overlap with topics in the profession of speech pathology.  Tiffany started this position in December of 2022 and looks forward to assisting the students in this new area of specialty, along with the faculty and staff, as well as providing support to the community speech clinic. Since joining the department, Tiffany has become involved in the campus community and is honored to be co-chair of the Chicanx/Latinx Staff and Faculty Association, a member of the President's Equity Council, and a member of Partnership for University Latine/x Success & Opportunity (PULSO).