People

Professor Inge-Marie Eigsti, PhD

Department of Psychological Sciences
Co-director, Cognitive Neuroscience of Communication-Connecticut Training Grant
Director of Research, Institute for the Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Dr. Eigsti is interested in finding links between social communication difficulties in autism spectrum disorder, and mechanistic processes in the brain, by examining low-level cognitive processes such as working memory and auditory processing that can be linked to genetic, neurophysiological or neuroanatomical domains. The aim is to better understand autism at multiple levels: molecular (genetic), neurofunctional (brain imaging), and behavioral (symptomatology). Dr. Eigsti received a dual Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Science from University of Rochester in 2001.

Current CV. See Research and Publications page for downloads/pdfs.

Office: Bousfield

Contact: inge-marie.eigsti (AT) uconn.edu

Dr. Kathryn Prescott's research investigates how individual child characteristics and cognitive mechanisms interact with specific features of the learning environment giving rise to structural language development in autistic children. The goal of this research is to better understand the heterogeneity in language ability across the spectrum and to provide personalized recommendations for speech-language therapy and environmental accommodations based on each child's unique profile of strengths and needs. Dr. Prescott is a certified speech-language pathologist with clinical experience in schools, early intervention, and outpatient pediatric clinical settings. She completed her Ph.D. in 2024 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the mentorship of Dr. Susan Ellis Weismer. Before that, she received her clinical Master's in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders from Northwestern University.

Former postdoc Caroline Larson's research focuses on relationships between language and other cognitive factors in children with language disorders, including Developmental Language Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, with the long-term goal of improving differential diagnosis and treatment. She is now on the faculty at the University of Missouri.

Former postdoc Teresa Girolamo is now on the faculty of the Speech, Langua

ge, and Hearing Sciences department at San Diego State University. She directs the Brain, Environment, and Language Lab (BELL), which focuses on how individual differences in language, together with environmental influences, shape life outcomes for racially and ethnically minoritized autistic individuals. She uses behavioral methods and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as community-based participatory approaches. The long-term objective of this work is to translate longitudinal knowledge into community-based supports.

Grad Students

Jason Crutcher (2018)

Before coming to UConn, Jason worked with Alex Martin at NIMH, studying how structural differences in the brain relate to abnormalities in language and social cognition for autistic individuals. His research interests include language dysfunction and the neural mechanisms underlying language abilities in autism.

Publications

Crutcher, J., Butler, E., Burke, J. D., Naigles, L., Fein, D. A., & Eigsti, I. M. (2023). Pragmatic language and associations with externalizing behaviors in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those who have lost the ASD diagnosis. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 108, 102252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102252

Eigsti, I. M., Thomas, R. P., Stabile, M., Mohan, A., Dieckhaus, M. F. S., Crutcher, J., Taverna, E., & Fein, D. A. (2022). Online administration of the ADOS for research with adolescents and adults in response to the pandemic. Autism Res, 15(10), 1909-1916. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2791

Larson, C., Thomas, H. R., Crutcher, J., Stevens, M. C., & Eigsti, I.-M. (2023). Language Networks in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic review of connectivity-based fMRI studies. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00382-6

Hannah Thomas (2020)

Hannah's research interests include the neural mechanisms underlying language development in ASD as well as the neural and behavioral presentations of comorbidities in autism (e.g., anxiety, ADHD). Before joining UConn, Hannah worked with So Hyun “Sophy” Kim at Weill Cornell Medicine on studies of predictors of school readiness in kindergarteners with autism, and the neuronal and behavioral correlates of ASD and ADHD.

Publications

Thomas, H. R., Sirsikar, A., & Eigsti, I. M. (2024). Convergence and discrepancy between self- and informant-reported depressive symptoms in young autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06230-0

Kim, S.H., Buzzell, G., Faja, S., Choi, Y.B., Thomas, H.R., Brito, N. H., Shuffrey, L.C., Fifer, W.P., Morrison, F., Lord, C., & Fox, N. (In press). Neural dynamics of executive function in cognitively-able kindergarteners with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as predictors of concurrent academic achievement. Autism.

Larson, C., Thomas, H. R., Crutcher, J., Stevens, M. C., & Eigsti, I.-M. (2023). Language networks in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of connectivity-based fMRI studies. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-023-00382-6

Lee., K.S., Chung, S.J., Thomas, H.R., Park, J., & Kim, S.H. (2019). Exploring diagnostic validity of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) in South Korean toddlers and preschoolers. Autism Research, 12, 1356-1366.

Thomas, H. R., Rooney, T., Cohen, M., Bishop, S. L., Lord, C., & Kim, S. H. (2020). Spontaneous Expressive Language Profiles in a Clinically Ascertained Sample of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Research.

Rebecca Canale (2021)

Rebecca (Becca)'s research interests include the cognitive and environmental factors underlying language and communication in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Previously, she worked with Richard Aslin at Haskins Laboratories (Yale University), coordinating behavioral and neuroimaging studies of language processing in neurotypical infants, children, and adults. Her F31-funded dissertation will examine individual differences in the temporal dynamics of spoken word recognition in autistic young adults .

Publications

Canale, R. (2022). The importance of statistical learning. Nature Reviews Psychology, 1, 68. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-021-00010-2

Girolamo, T., Butler, L., Canale, R., Aslin, R. N., & Eigsti, I. M. (2023). fNIRS studies of individuals with speech and language impairment underreport participant sociodemographics: A systematic review. Neuropsychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-023-09618-y (Preregistration doi: 10.31234/osf.io/akrcp)

McMurray, B., Sarrett, M. E., Chiu, S., Black, A. K., Wang, A., Canale, R., & Aslin, R. N. (2022). Decoding the temporal dynamics of spoken word and nonword processing from EEG. Neuroimage, 260, 119457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119457

Paltin, I., Sy, M., Lundy, S. M., Ayr-Volta, L. K., Canale, R., Fong, G., Kelly, J., Pfeifle, G. B., Quinton, T., Schofield, H.-L., & Warren, E. A. H. (2024). Neuropsychological late effects and quality of life outcomes in pediatric brain tumor survivors: Role of pediatric neurologists in monitoring and management. Pediatric Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.08.014

Sanchez-Alonso, S., Canale, R. R., Nichoson, I. F., & Aslin, R. N. (2023). Simultaneous data collection of fMRI and fNIRS measurements using a whole-head optode array and short-distance channels. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE), 200s, e65088. https://doi.org/10.3791/65088

Gabrielle Michel (2022)

Before coming to UConn, Gabrielle worked with Drs. Dwight Dickinson and Karen Berman at NIMH, studying cognition and genetics in Williams syndrome and schizophrenia. She also conducted neuropsychological testing with these populations. Gabrielle’s research interests include language development, social communication, and sign language use in autism spectrum disorder. She is also interested in accessible and parent-mediated interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Michel, G., Crutcher, J., & Eigsti, I. M. (2023, May 3-6). Grapheme-color synesthesia in autistic adults International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), Stockholm, Sweden.

Mohan, A., Larson, C., Michel, G., Stabile, M., Taverna, E., Crutcher, J., Fein, D. A., & Eigsti, I. M. (2023, May 3-6). Case Study: Schizophrenia in Young Adults with ASD International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), Stockholm, Sweden.

2024-2025	Chloe Kardoos Rachael Roizer Wilfred Wisdom Hannah Jacob Keerthi Uppalapati
2021-2022	Margaux Acorda Aditi Sirsikar Karina Patel Amanda Yagan Chinedu Nwko	2022-2023	Karina Patel Marissa Birmingham Olivia Kapustka Talia Szozda Alyssa Daniels Alexis Trojahn	2023-2024	Marissa Birmingham Karina Patel Malak Nechnach Chloe Kardoos David Gyamfi Rachael Roizer Wilfred Wisdom
2020-2021	Margaux Acorda Jacey Anderson Aditi Sirsikar	2014-2015	Parah Shah (Pre-med) Didem Ozcan (PNB/Bio) Morgan Smith (pre-med) Ryan Morris (Pre-med)	2009-2010	Caitlin Dombrowski: (Honors) UConn, Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology Jose Casares: Teachers College/Columbia University, Counseling Psychology Danielle Loughrey Liz Tzatkin: Research Assistant Kathryn Post: Research Assistant Juliana Hartley: Teach for America (Honors); MA student in Speech-Language Pathology at Univ New Hampshire
2019-2020	Klaudia Ptaszek Harkaran Dhillon Jacey Anderson Aditi Sirsikar	Summer 2014	Molly Waterhouse (Syracuse University) Griffen Burrows (Wheaton College)	2008-2009	Justine Marsh: Practicing Speech-Language Pathologist, CT Ashley Lepack Terry Gustafson: Pre-med Lauren Long: Ph.D. program in Behavioral Neuroscience, UConn
2019-2018	Anusha Mohan Ariana Caruso Roisin Healy Holly Labrecque Regina Weissenberg	2013-2014	Emily Thompson (SURF grant, Honors Program) Katy Piotrowski (Honors Program)	2007-2008	Jessica St. Pierre David Roy David Morrow Heather Washburn Kim Markoff Kim Hayhurst Stefanie Riegler
2017-2018	Ariana Caruso Holly Labrecque Regina Weissenberg Abigail Sapiro Sindhu Dokuru (M.A., Healthcare Administration)	2012-2013	Christopher Andrade (Ling Major); English Teaching in Japan (JET Program) Allison Fitch (Psych/Human Development): Ph.D. in Developmental and Brain Sciences at UMass Boston, 2012 Amanda Makol (Pre-med) Emily Thompson (SLSH)	2006-2007	Kayla Marot Mark Rogalski Melissa Martinez Corey Alexa Tuhina Joseph
2016-2017	Parah Shah (pre-med) Snigdha Wadhwa (pre-med) Sindhu Dokuru (pre-med) Tanya Rao (pre-med) Caitlin Emmett (SLHS) Meghan Robitaille (SLHS)	2011-2012	Christopher Andrade (Ling Major) Allison Fitch (Psych/Human Development): Ph.D. in Developmental and Brain Sciences at UMass Boston, 2012 Amanda Makol (Pre-med) Emily Thompson (SLSH) Bonnie Stas	2005-2006	Lauren Czepizak Cara Orazietti Judith Shulman Stephanie Ceniccola
2015-2016	Parah Shah (pre-med) Morgan Smith (pre-med) Ryan Morris (pre-med) Snigdha Wadhwa (pre-med) Sindhu Dokuru (pre-med) Molly Waterman (IGERT Program Assistant) Jessa Sahl (post-bac RA in the lab of Bonnie Nozari at Johns Hopkins)	2010-2011	Elira Fifo, 2010 Danielle Daley (Honors) Kaitlin De Yoe (Honors, SURF award) Karissa Burgess Sonia Altavilla Abby Morriso	2004-2005	Nojan Bakhtiari (pre-dental) Lisa Cataudella Jessica Bennett Kelly Chang

Solène Jaspard (2023), Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels. Supported by a Belgian-American Educational Foundation award. Her PhD project focuses on the effect of input variability on word learning in autism

Marielle Weyland (2022), Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels. Marielle Weyland is speech-therapist. She is currently a PhD student at Université Libre de Bruxelles within the ACTE project. Her research focuses on analyzing early vocal production of infant with high likelihood of ASD.