Name: Olivia Thompson
Program of Study/Year in Program: 2nd year in SLP program (graduating May 2026)
University: Saint Louis University
ANCDS Fellow Mentor: Dr. Tepanta Fossett
Area(s) of research, teaching, and/or clinical interest: Innovative treatment methods and assessment approaches in Aphasia and for TBI recovery, including technology-assisted interventions
Why were you interested in the ANCDS student fellow program?
I was interested in the ANCDS fellowship program because it aligned with my academic and clinical interest in neurogenic communication disorders. The fellowship offered a unique opportunity to engage with both researchers and clinicians, gain exposure to more evidence-based practice approaches, and deepen my understanding of cognitive-linguistic treatment approaches in a collaborative, research-driven environment.
What did you enjoy about the ANCDS student fellow program?
I especially enjoyed the opportunity to learn directly from experts in the field and engage in discussions with my peers about emerging research, opportunities, and clinical applications. I valued the mentorship and networking opportunities, which have helped me navigate the evolving career paths within neurogenic communication disorder research and treatment.
Why would you recommend the ANCDS student fellow program to future students?
I would recommend the ANCDS student fellow program because it provides an opportunity that bridges research and clinical practice. Students gain exposure to new approaches while building meaningful connections with professionals and peers in the field. The conference fostered critical thinking and personal growth, an experience to self-reflect on one’s own experiences and areas of interest.
Based on this first introduction to ANCDS, what are the benefits for students, clinicians, and/or researchers?
ANCDS offers benefits across all levels of experience. For students, it provides early exposure to advanced research and mentorship opportunities. Clinicians benefit from access to current evidence-based practices that can directly inform patient care. Researchers gain a platform to share findings, evaluate perspectives, and translate research into meaningful clinical applications. Overall, ANCDS helps connect research and clinical practice in a meaningful way, ultimately supporting better outcomes for individuals with neurogenic communication disorders.
Describe your current research and/or clinical work.
At Indiana University, I was a research assistant in the Neural Laboratory. There, I gained foundational understanding of the brain bases of language and recovery. I was trained to evaluate cognitive components of lexical retrieval and analyze discourse samples. I learned how inner speech can support aphasia by activating language networks and reinforcing word associations, helping me understand the practical implication of these findings.
In graduate school, I was awarded a graduate research assistantship in the Aphasia Rehabilitation Research Lab at Saint Louis University, which examines cognitive-linguistic intersections of aphasia presentation, treatment, and recovery. I have refined my research skills by extracting data for a systematic review on the use of event-related potentials as an assessment tool for individuals with aphasia and contributed to an early-stage study investigating the role of metacognition in therapy outcomes. These inquiry-based assignments deepened my understanding of treatment design and implementation, particularly how comprehensive, multimodal approaches can support meaningful recovery. Together, they broadened my perspective on innovative intervention.
Why were you interested in the above clinical or university location to expand your clinical skills?
I decided to attend Saint Louis University because of the strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, opportunities for research involvement, the extensive clinical experiences offered to students, and the strong community partnerships with healthcare and educational sites allowing for hands-on training to prepare clinicians for diverse populations. SLU has provided me with clinical exposure and the academic foundations to prepare me for success as a speech-language pathologist.