Neural Substrates of Speech and Timing
Meet the team

Lab Director
Robin Karlin
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. I completed my PhD at Cornell University in 2018 under the guidance of Draga Zec. My dissertation is titled "Towards an articulatory model of tone: a cross-linguistic investigation". From 2019-2023 I was a postdoc at the SMAC Lab at the Waisman Center at UW-Madison.
Postdocs and graduate students

Postdoctoral Fellow
Chris Geissler
I am a postdoc in the NeSST Lab and the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. I completed my Ph.D. in linguistics at Yale University with a dissertation on articulatory timing in Tibetan (2021, advisor: Jason Shaw). More information is available at my website.

Lab Manager
Lauren Holzwarth
I am a first-year masters student studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences here at the University of Missouri. I am excited to further my understanding of our field through my studies and time in the lab. Following graduation, I would like to work in an acute care setting with individuals who have experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Graduate Research Assistant
Abigail Collier
I am a second year graduate student in the Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences department at the University of Missouri. Following graduate school, I hope to work as medical speech pathologist specializing in neurodegenerative disorders that affect communication.

Graduate Research Assistant
Maggie Ribaudo
I am a second year graduate student studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Mizzou. Following graduate school I plan to work in the field for a few years, most likely with pediatrics, so that I can narrow my research interests.
Undergraduate students

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Morgan Bottcher
I am currently a junior at the University of Missouri studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. After I graduate, I am planning to attend graduate school to become a SLP. I am really looking forward to gaining more experience in the field and can’t wait to keep learning more!

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Caleigh Friedrich
I am currently a junior studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Following graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. My goal is to work with pediatrics in a school setting, though I am still exploring and learning about all areas of the field!

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Lauren Green
I am currently in my senior year at Mizzou pursuing a bachelor's degree in health sciences. Following graduation, I plan to continue my involvement in research and begin exploring options for a master's program. I find many facets of neuroscience intriguing, and I'm eager to further my knowledge in any areas I can!

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Claire Hennemann
I am an undergraduate SLHS major at the University of Missouri with aspirations of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. I’m particularly interested in pediatrics and excited to explore different settings throughout my journey. I’m looking forward to all the opportunities to learn, grow, and gain experience along the way!

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Maddie Hirsch
I am a senior at Mizzou studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and I'm especially interested in pediatrics and speech production, while continuing to explore the many different areas within the field. I plan to pursue graduate school to become a licensed SLP. Outside of school, I am currently working towards my Pilates certification, which has further grown my interest in movement, wellness, and the connection between the body and mind.

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Abbie Parr
I’m an undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Mizzou, with plans to pursue graduate school to become a licensed SLP. Alongside my passion for speech and language, I enjoy singing and the fine arts. My goal is to work with pediatric clients in a school setting, though I also enjoy exploring the many different aspects of the field as I continue through the SLHS program.

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Georgia Terrill
I am currently a senior at the University of Missouri studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Following graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. I have a wide range of interests within the field, particularly pediatrics, and am eager to deepen my understanding of speech and language through hands-on research experience.
Former lab members

Sophie Barth
Lab manager,
2024-2025

Riley Hall
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025-2026

Sophie Rodriguez-Bell
Lab manager,
2025-2026

Cora Hartwig
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2024-2026

Sarah Stelzer
Graduate Research Assistant, 2023-2025

Hannah Meystrik
Undergraduate Research Assistant, 2025-2026
Our collaborators
Ben Parrell, SMAC Lab, UW-Madison
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Carrie Niziolek, BLAB Lab, UW-Madison
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Dinglan Tang, University of Hong Kong
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Christina Bjorndahl, Carnegie Mellon University
