About Us

Tiffany is currently a senior in Hofstra's Speech-Language Pathology program, minoring in Disability Studies. She will be pursuing Audiology in grad school. Her interest in audiology piqued after taking Intro to Audiology. She was certain this was her path once she began taking Hearing Science. Tiffany's mother has suffered with vertigo since 2006, so she has an interest in research in vertigo and tinnitus. She would love to pursue a career in a hospital setting working with children.

Sarah Infante is a third-year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's degree in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and a double minor in Disability Studies and Psychology. Sarah's research with the Hear-Ring Lab investigates the role of misinformation in online tinnitus-related social media posts and future telehealth methods for audiology. Her main interests are in diagnostic audiology, hearing conservation, and tinnitus.

KrisLee Acevedo is currently a third-year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Program. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Spanish Literature and Psychology at CUNY Queens College. Currently serving as the Co-President of the LI Au.D Consortium's Student Academy of Audiology chapter, she strives to serve the community by providing hearing screenings and fundraising. KrisLee stays passionate about the prevention of hearing loss and implantable hearing devices.

Michelle Kiedaisch is a second year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a minor in Deaf Studies. As a member of the Hearing Impaired community, she hopes to share her own journey with hearing disability with others experiencing hearing loss, helping them better understand how to handle their own impairment. Michelle has prior research experience with noise induced hearing loss but is also eager to learn more about aural rehabilitation and educational audiology in the future.

Olivia Gil is a seond-year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She completed her bachelor's degree at Sacred Heart University, majoring in Health Sciences, with a concentration in Public Health and minoring in Speech-Language Pathology. Olivia chose to pursue Audiology after working at her undergraduate clinic and helping to conduct research on the effects of telehealth on hearing aid skills. She is very excited to continue her studies in this field and looking forward to being a part of the Hear-Ring Lab research.

Saher Chaudhry is currently a junior honors student, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in biochemistry at Hofstra University. Her first exposure to audiology was being a volunteer at the Saint Catherine of Siena Nursing And Rehabilitation Care Center, where she witnessed the multitudes of hearing-related complications that seniors in assistive living experience. By examining the neurological ailments that follow from hearing complexities, Saher is determined to enter healthcare in the hopes to dismantle misconceptions, de-stigmatized, and advocate for greater education in hearing impairment. She extends her leadership in healthcare by serving as a Health Ambassador and Ignite Mental Health Campus Ambassador at Hofstra University's campus. Saher's current areas of research heavily involve neuroscience, for which audiology serves as an essential component of the nervous system.

Shannon Quinn is a first year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She received a Bachelor's Degree of Science from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a major in Audiology and Speech Pathology and a minor in American Sign Language. She first became interested in audiology through her American Sign Language classes in high school. She has prior research experience with cochlear implants but also has interests in tinnitus and pediatric audiology.

Ishan Sunilkumar Bhatt, Ph.D., CCC-A, F-AAA is an associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa. He is the principal investigator at the Audiogenomics Research Laboratory. He maintains an active research program for identifying the genetic and non-genetic risk factors of tinnitus and hearing loss. Dr. Bhatt received a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and pursued his clinical degree in audiology and speech-language pathology from Maharastra University of Health Sciences, India. Dr. Bhatt is recognized for academic and research excellence in the academic institutions he attended.

Dr. Vinaya Manchaiah serves as the Professor of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and as the Director of Audiology at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCHealth). He is the Principal Investigator at the Virtual Hearing Lab. He also has a position as Extraordinary Professor at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa, and Adjunct Professor at the School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India. www.vinayamanchaiah.com

Shruti Deshpande, Ph.D., CCC-A is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, St. John's University. Dr. Deshpande is a nationally accredited audiologist. She utilizes behavioral and electrophysiological procedures to study auditory perception and processing in individuals with typical versus atypical listening abilities. Dr. Deshpande teaches ‘Introduction to Hearing Science', ‘Pediatric Audiology' 'Central Auditory Processing Disorders', and ‘Electrophysiology-I'.

Dr. Deshpande enjoys academic discussions, travelling, and cooking with her better-half, Dr. Aniruddha K. Deshpande. She is a proud, doting mother to her little girl Radha and and her labrador retriever, Cymba.

David S. Friedman, PhD. has been teaching on Long Island for 19 years. He has taught 7th through 12th grade and both undergraduate and graduate level courses. Dr. Friedman grew up in Plainview, NY and graduated with his Bachelor of Science from Binghamton University. His doctorate, from the City University of New York Gradate Center, is in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Friedman has been a visiting scholar at Columbia University, a guest scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, been awarded Phi Delta Kappa Educator of the year, and is a 2 time winner of the Coca Cola Scholars Educator of Distinction Award. He is a life long learner who takes great pride in his students success.

Rüdiger Pryss studied at the Universities of Passau, Karlsruhe, and Ulm. He holds a Diploma in Computer Science. After graduating, he worked as a consultant and developer in a software company. Since 2008, he has been a research associate at Ulm University. In 2015, he received a PhD in Computer Science. In his doctoral thesis, Rüdiger Pryss focused on fundamental issues related to mobile process and task support. In particular, he investigated how mobile devices can be integrated with process management technology in a robust and reliable way, e.g., to allow for the autonomous execution of process fragments or single process tasks on mobile devices. Rüdiger Pryss was local organization chair of the BPM'09 and EDOC'14 conferences. Moreover, he is experienced with teaching courses on database management, programming, service-oriented computing, business process management, document management, and mobile application engineering. Currently, he is a senior researcher and lecturer with the Institute of Databases and Information Systems at Ulm University.

Matthew P. Zausin grew up in Smithtown, NY, and he has been a science teacher on Long Island for the past 12 years. Mr. Zausin received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stony Brook University and a Master of Science in Adolescent Education from Dowling College. He has been teaching Chemistry for the past 12 years, and he has also served as a Science Research Advisor for the past 10 years. Mr. Zausin has also had experience teaching Living Environment and AP Environmental Science. His passion for science and dedication to his students have assisted him in becoming an outstanding science teacher.

Jaclyn graduated from the Long Island Audiology Consortium in May 2019. While in her second and third year of the program she served on the SAA e-board as treasurer and president where she scheduled community hearing screenings and worked on fundraising for the annual Starkey Hearing Foundation mission trip. Her clinical experience during the program included the three university clinics (Hofstra University, Adelphi University, and St. John's University), Long Island ENT Associates, Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, and NYU Medical Center. Jaclyn completed her fourth year externship at NYC Hearing associates where she completed diagnostic audiological evaluation, hearing aid evaluations and checks, as well as working with cochlear implants and musician products. Jaclyn currently works as a clinical audiologist for ENT and Allergy associates rotating among the NYC offices. Jaclyn's interests include diagnostic testing, electrophysiological testing, and pediatrics.

Jinsook is an Au.D. candidate at the Long Island Au.D. Consortium: Adelphi, Hofstra, and St John's University, acquiring clinical knowledge and experiences which will be valuable assets for being a competent clinician. Her strong background in scientific research was achieved through the Ph.D. program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and continued to advance while working as a research fellow and a junior faculty at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine (AECOM) in Bronx, NY and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, OH.

Rachel Cohen is currently a fourth-year doctoral candidate at the Long Island Au.D. Consortium. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Deaf Studies from Ithaca College. Her previous clinical experiences include Hofstra, Adelphi, and St. Johns University Clinics. She is currently at Mill Neck Center for Hearing Health where she is continuing to gain clinical knowledge working with diverse populations and is performing community outreach screenings throughout Long Island. Rachel is very passionate about the prevention, education, and aural rehabilitative aspects of hearing loss.

Kenneth D'Auria is currently a fourth year doctoral student in the Long Island Audiology Consortium. He has had clinical experiences at Hofstra University, Adelphi University and St. John's University, and is currently at ENT and Allergy Associates. Through these clinical experiences, Kenneth continues to develop skills in diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology. Kenneth is interested in hearing conservation, and diagnostic audiology.

Hannah Grunfeld is a senior at MacArthur High School. Her current research involves music listening trends and their correlations to tinnitus in high school students. She is working alongside Dr. Aniruddha Deshpande at Hofstra University to complete her project. Her previous research revolved around hurricane knowledge and preparedness among high school students. She has also competed in Medical Marvels, LI Youth Summit, LI Science Congress and Science Olympiad.

Raissa El-Houayek is currently a third-year doctoral candidate at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She has had clinical experience at Adelphi, Hofstra, and St. John's Universities, where she worked with various populations. In her undergraduate career, she went to Brooklyn College. She double majored in Speech-Language and Hearing Disorders and Linguistics. She currently serves as public relations chairperson of the SAA chapter. She assists in events such as hearing screenings and annual fundraisers. Raissa's interest are virtual reality and tinnitus.

Gerro is currently a Speech Language Pathology major studying under Hofstra University's Dual Degree program. Brought into the Hear-Ring Lab because of his own interest in music, Gerro also extends his services to the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. As a member of NSSLHA, he is given opportunities such as monthly hospital visits and admission into charity events. Through NSSLHA he has volunteered at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola and attended Long Island's annual Alzheimer's Walk. His interests lie in articulation and accents.

Brianna Marcucio is currently a fourth-year doctoral student at the Long Island AuD Consortium. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. She is also involved with the Student Academy of Audiology where she serves as one of the Co-Presidents. Brianna is currently placed at Northwell Health Physician Partners gaining more experience in diagnostic audiology, hearing aid technologies, and vestibular testing.

Hector Martinez is currently a fourth-year undergraduate student at Hofstra University. He is a Pre-Health Major with a concentration in Audiology, which has led him to the Hear-Ring Lab. He has shadowed physicians and SLPs to gain insight into a wide range of fields. Hector is a current member of Hofstra's Habitat for Humanity (HHH) and through his participation, he volunteers around the Nassau and Suffolk area to help those within the community. With research, he hopes to further expand his knowledge within the audiology field.

Cassandra Mazzacco is a third-year doctoral student at the Long Island AuD Consortium. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Hearing Science at Hofstra University. Her previous clinical experiences include the clinics of Hofstra, Adelphi, and St. John's universities, along with Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf. She is currently a graduate clinician at Long Island ENT Associates where she continues to gain knowledge in diagnostic evaluations, hearing aid technologies, and a variety of electrophysiological testing. She serves as one of the Co-Presidents to the LI AuD Consortium's Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) chapter where she schedules community hearing screenings and helps fundraise for the annual Starkey Hearing Foundation mission trips. She is currently working on projects regarding music-induced hearing loss and visually evoked auditory responses. Cassandra is interested in diagnostic audiology, hearing aid technology, and tinnitus.

Colleen O'Brien is a 4th Year Doctor of Audiology candidate at the Long Island Au.D. Consortium. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from St. John's University. Her previous clinical experiences include the clinics of St. John's, Adelphi, and Hofstra Universities, Jacobi Medical Center, Manhattan Audiology, and Lexington School for the Deaf. She is currently a 4th Year Fellow at the NYU Cochlear Implant Center, where she works with patients with cochlear implants from around the world. Colleen's research with the Hear-Ring Lab investigates the role of misinformation in online tinnitus-related information. Colleen is interested in the areas of implantable auditory devices, tinnitus, electrophysiology, and the impact of hearing loss on quality of life. Her career goals include working in research and academia.

Krupi Shah is currently a fourth year doctoral student in the Long Island Audiology Consortium. She has had clinical experiences in three university clinics (Adelphi University, Hofstra University, and St. John's University) and a private practice (North Shore Eye Care). As a doctoral intern, her experiences have allowed her to work with diverse populations and acquire knowledge in the areas of diagnostic evaluations and hearing aid technologies. Krupi is interested in the area of tinnitus and its effects on individuals. Along with her clinical experiences, she is also the outreach hearing screening coordinator in which her responsibilities include providing hearing screenings for geriatric, adult, and pediatric populations in libraries and schools.

Tova Shimunova is a third-year doctoral student in the Long Island AuD Consortium. She received her bachelor's degree from St. John's University. Her clinical experiences include the three university clinics (Adelphi, Hofstra, and St. John's Universities), Center for Hearing Health at Mill Neck Manor, and Mineola ENT. In 2017, she conducted tinnitus research with Dr. Aniruddha Deshpande and was given the opportunity to present their research study at the Academy of Audiology conference in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2019, their research article was published in the American Journal of Audiology, titled "A Comprehensive Evaluation of Tinnitus Apps". Tova is interested in tinnitus, hyperacusis, and ototoxic hearing loss.

Nicole Trupo is currently a 4th year doctoral student in the Long Island AuD Consortium. She received her Bachelor of Science at James Madison University in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her clinical experience includes the three university clinics (Hofstra, Adelphi, and St. John's Universities), private practice (Manhattan Audiology), otolaryngology practice (ENT and Allergy Associates), and hospital setting (Staten Island University Hospital). She is currently completing her 4th year residency at ENT and Allergy Associates in Hauppauge where she is improving her skills in diagnostic testing and hearing aid technologies. Nicole is interested in the area of noise induced hearing loss, specifically recreational noise exposure, as well as tinnitus. She is also involved in the Student Academy of Audiology where she performs hearing screenings and advocates for healthy hearing.

Zhanna is an undergraduate Speech-Language Hearing Sciences major and Disabilities Studies minor at Hofstra University. As President of Hofstra Circle K International and a member of Hofstra's NSSLHA chapter, she spends her free time volunteering with organizations who help the youth, homeless and disabled.

Brittany Ziarko is a fourth-year doctoral candidate at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. Her clinical experience includes the three university clinics (Adelphi, Hofstra, and St. John's University), where she gained knowledge in diagnostic evaluations and hearing aid technologies. Brittany has obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Pace University. She is interested in tinnitus research and hearing health technology. She's also involved in the Student Academy of Audiology where she advocates for healthy hearing and performs hearing screenings on individuals of all ages.

Mackenzie Zorn is currently a freshman at Purdue University studying Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, along with a minor in Theatre. Her work with Dr. Deshpande in high school has sparked her interests in research at Purdue, and she is currently preparing to become a member of Purdue's NSSLHA chapter. In addition to research, Mackenzie hopes to go on to obtain a Master's degree and become a certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

Keara Durand is currently a second year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Language Hearing Sciences and a minor in Disability Studies. Keara has clinical experience at the Mill Neck Manor Center for Hearing Health where she was able to observe diagnostic and rehabilitative services for a variety of ages and populations. She was the Vice President of the Hofstra University chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association where she intertwined her love of helping others and giving back to her community with her passion for the field of Audiology. She is open to exploring all areas of Audiology but her current interests lie in tinnitus and pediatric audiology.

Jenna Worms is a second-year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She graduated from St. John'’'s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology/Audiology. She became interested in Audiology during a hearing science class after watching a video simulating what spoken language sounds like at each level of hearing loss. Having a mother with hearing loss and tinnitus has taught her what people with hearing loss experience in everyday life. Her main interests in the field are tinnitus and pediatrics.

Kathryn Meaney is a first-year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She completed her bachelor's degree at Long Island University-Post, majoring in Audiology and Speech Pathology. It wasn't until taking her first intro to audiology course she became exposed to the field. After learning more and more, she decided this was what she wanted to be doing. She is eager to continue her studies and thrilled to be a part of the Hear-Ring Lab research.

Kinza Hameed is a first year doctoral student at the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium. She received a Bachelor's Degree of Science from the University of Texas at Dallas with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology. Her experience with Audiology has stemmed since birth as she was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss and wears a cochlear implant. She has prior research experience with cochlear implants and testing. She hopes to share her experience and relate with others on her hearing loss journey as well as learn more about prevention, pediatrics, and aural rehabilitation.

Tae Hong Park is an associate professor of music and composition and technology at New York University, as well as a composer, music technologist, and bassist. His work focuses on the composition of electro-acoustic and acoustic music, machine learning and computer-aided music analysis, research in multi-dimensional aspects of timbre, and audio digital signal processing. Dr. Park has presented his music at national and international conferences and festivals including Bourges, ICMC, MATA, SCIMF, and SEAMUS. Among the ensembles and performers that have played his work are the Brentano String Quartet, California E.A.R. Unit, Edward Carroll, Ensemble Surplus, Zoe Martlew, Nash Ensemble of London, and the Tarab Cello Ensemble. Professor Park is the author of Introduction to Digital Signal Processing: Computer Musically Speaking (World Scientific, 2010). He is the Chief Editor of Journal SEAMUS, serves as Editorial Consultant for Computer Music Journal, and served as President of the International Computer Music Association (ICMA). He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Stasha Lee is a fourth-year undergraduate student at CUNY Queens College double majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Sociology. She became interested in the field of audiology after taking hearing science and shadowing an audiologist. Her main interests in research are auditory processing and hearing protection.

Mansi is a second year doctoral student at the Long Island Au.D Consortium. Mansi earned her Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology from the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, University of Mysore, India. Mansi’s interests include diagnosing and providing treatment for patients with cochlear implants and balance disorders. She would love to pursue a career in hospital setups with Intraoperative Monitoring during Cochlear Implant surgeries, Cochlear Implants Audiologist, and Neurodiagnostic Audiologist. Outside of school, Mansi volunteers with a variety of organizations to assist hearing-impaired population in her local communities.