The Team
Director
Crystle Alonzo
(she/her)
Dr. Crystle Alonzo is a clinical practice researcher and a certified speech language pathologist (SLP) specializing in child language and literacy disorders. She is an assistant professor in the School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at San Diego State University and the director of the CORAL Lab. Crystle worked for several years as an SLP in a variety of settings with diverse clinical populations. These experiences continue to influence her research aims. Specifically, Dr. Alonzo’s research is focused on advancing the understanding of comprehension models of language and reading to improve assessment and intervention practices for young children with developmental language disorder and dyslexia. This is done with an emphasis on accessibility, feasibility, and sustainability for practicing clinicians while supporting students and their families.
Favorite children’s book: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by: Bill Martin, Jr.
Favorite San Diego eats: Pop Pie Co.
Current Research Assistants
Hayden Chung
(they/she)
Hayden is a first year M.A. student at SDSU’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences program. They have a B.A. in Psychology and German and a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Notre Dame. Hayden is interested in working in the public school system, particularly with high school students, after graduating from the SLHS program. In their free time, Hayden reads a variety of fiction and collects stationery.
Favorite children’s book: Esio Trot by Roald Dahl
Favorite San Diego eats: Sab E Lee
Abby McGuire
(she/her)
Abby is a first year M.A. student in SDSU’s Speech-Language Pathology Program. Abby earned her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis in Psychological & Brain Sciences, with a double minor in Speech & Hearing Sciences and Design. She is interested in literacy development and in working in early intervention or with school-aged children. In her free time, Abby loves to read and paint.
Favorite children’s book: The Heart in the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
Favorite San Diego eats: Bahn Thai
Juliana Salazar
(she/her)
Juliana Salazar is a first year M.A. student in SDSU’s Speech Language and Hearing Sciences program. She has a bachelor’s degree from SDSU in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Juliana is interested in working with bilingual students and providing services to children and families from Spanish speaking backgrounds. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Favorite children’s book: Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
Favorite San Diego eats: Pho Ca Dao on El Cajon Blvd
Lexia Sorensen
(she/her)
Lexia is a current M.A. student in San Diego State’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) program. She received a B.A. in SLHS from SDSU. Her interests surround hearing loss: aural rehabilitation and aural habilitation. Lexia’s hobbies include crafting projects and caring for her plants.
Favorite children’s book: Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart trilogy: Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath
Favorite San Diego eats: Cafe Coyote in Old Town San Diego
Kayla Zaldivar
(she/her)
Kayla is a first year M.A. student at SDSU studying Speech-Language Pathology. She has a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science and a minor in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona. Kayla is still deciding what population she would like to work with in the future. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to new restaurants, and spending time with her friends and family.
Favorite children’s book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Favorite San Diego eats: Ben and Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli.
Carlos Cazares
(he/him)
Carlos is a second year undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Outside of school, he works as a Behavior interventionist for a company called Cortica. Carlos would like to continue working with children and young adults as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Favorite children’s book: Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor
Favorite San Diego eats: La Morena’s Taco Shop
Jenna Chaney
(she/her)
Jenna is a second year undergraduate majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Childhood and Family Development. She is still exploring what realm of SLP work she would like to focus on after her academic career. In Jenna’s free time, she likes to go to the beach, watch the sunset, hike, and spend time with her dog.
Favorite children’s book: Corduroy by Don Freeman
Favorite San Diego eats: Banbu Sushi
Yarden Gandelman
(she/her)
Yarden is a fourth year undergraduate student at SDSU majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She is an aspiring Speech-Language Pathologist and interested in early intervention or working in pediatrics. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Favorite children’s book: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Favorite San Diego eats: Cardellino
Alyssa Gomez
(she/her)
Alyssa is a fourth year undergraduate student at SDSU Graduating in May of 2023. She graduated from San Diego City College with an associates degree in Liberal Arts and Science and Language Arts and Humanities. Alyssa works as a special ed technician for San Diego Unified School District. She later hopes to become an SLP and work with bilingual children and families and/or work with stroke recovery patients who have aphasia. She enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family.
Favorite children’s book: Oh the Places You’ll Go
Favorite San Diego eats: Sushi Kuchi in Convoy!
Yissel Salas
(she/her)
Yissel is a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. Outside of school, she works as a Para-Educator for San Diego Unified School District where she works high school level students in a special education classroom. Her favorite hobby is exploring new coffee shops! Yissel would like to continue working with children and young adults as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Favorite children’s book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Favorite San Diego eats: Ka Prao Thai Cuisine
Stefani Woll
(she/her)
Stefani is senior in her undergraduate studies majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. She is currently involved in 3 different research labs and works as a language facilitator at a local preschool once a week. She will be attending graduate school in the fall where she will get her Master’s degree in the same major. Stefani hopes to work as a pediatric SLP in the future either in schools or in a private practice. For fun, she enjoy anything outdoors. Stefani loves to play sports, go to the beach, go hiking, and spending time with her friends, family, and two dogs.
Favorite children’s book: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
Favorite San Diego eats: The Baked Bear
Ashley Zaragoza
(she/her)
Ashley is a fourth year undergraduate student at San Diego State University majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and minoring in Sociology. She plans to continue her education by going to graduate school after she gets her undergraduate degree. She would like to become an SLP working with school-aged children. On campus, she is a Resident Advisor, JEDI Co-Coordinator for NSSLHA and on the Hispanic Serving Institution Student Advisory Board as the REO Chair. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, thrifting, watching the sunset on the beach, going on walks and taking photos.
Favorite children’s book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Favorite San Diego eats: The Taco Stand!
Lab Alumni
Austin Carrol – M.A. 2022
Amy Ezaki – M.A. 2022
Maliyah Flemmings – B.A., 2022
Aylin Garcia – B.A. 2022
Anissa Govind – M.A. 2022
Christyn Jackson – M.A. 2023
Kaleigh Kim – B.A. 2022
Praise Kittipol
Selena Llanes – B.A. 2022
Angelina Lopez – B.A. 2021
Lilian Ngo – B.A., 2022
Elizabeth Orboñez
Sky Perlman – M.A. 2023
Makenna Sine – B.A. 2022
Lexia Sorenson – SDSU MA student