Lab Director
Ciara Ousley, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Email: cousley2@unl.edu
Dr. Ciara Ousley is the director of The SCADD Lab and an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D) and a former special educator in the states of Ohio and Nebraska. Her research and publications have focused on supporting the social communication skills of young children with autism and other developmental disabilities through speech and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). In her free time, Dr. Ousley enjoys spending time with her beloved pets (one cat and two dogs) and husband. When she is not in the lab, she can be spotted on the running trails around Lincoln and cheering on the Huskers.
Graduate Researcher
Hannah Kitsmiller
Hannah Kitsmiller is a graduate student at UNL in the Speech-Language Pathology program. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio. Hannah completed her bachelor’s degree at Ohio State University majoring in neuroscience and speech and hearing sciences. At Ohio State, she was involved in Dr. Allison Bean’s Language, Assistive Technology, and Autism lab. She is passionate about AAC and hopes to serve those with complex communication needs across the lifespan as an SLP and researcher. In her free time, Hannah loves to dance, sew, and explore new places.
Undergraduate Researchers
Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams is an undergraduate student at UNL majoring in communication sciences and disorders, minoring in education. She plans to pursue her master’s degree in speech-language pathology after graduation. Abigail enjoys working with children who use AAC and hopes to work as a Speech Pathologist in a school setting in the future. She also works part-time at the Munroe-Meyer Institute in Omaha, working with individuals with developmental disabilities. In her free time, Abigail enjoys reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Mallory Bellamy
Mallory Bellamy is an undergraduate student at UNL from Kearney, Nebraska. She is majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in education, and plans to pursue her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Mallory is very passionate about volunteering. She also enjoys working as a certified nursing assistant, as well as being a mentor for an individual with autism. She hopes to be a medical or pediatric speech-language pathologist. In her free time, she loves to read, bake, travel, and spend time with her friends and family.
Karli Crawford
Karli Crawford is an undergraduate student at UNL, from Omaha, Nebraska. She is majoring in communication sciences and disorder with a minor in education and plans to pursue her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She enjoys working at the Munroe-Meyer Institute as a recreational therapy technician and hopes to have a career as a speech pathologist there in the future. She also loves volunteering and making connections within the Lincoln community. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, bake, and read!
Jenna Rogers
Jenna Rogers is a graduate SLP student at UNL from Rutherford, New Jersey. Jenna will be exhausting her eligibility on the track and field team while pursuing her masters. Her goal is to open her own private practice specializing in Autism and open her own coffee shop. Jenna’s passions include volunteering with various organizations, high jumping, and eating good food!!
SCADD Lab Alumni
Shelby Neiman (2023 - 2024)
Rylie Reipl (2023 - 2024)
Sidney Stallbaum (2023)
Abbie Summers (2023 - 2024)
Nyah Thaemert (2023)