麻豆原创 Us
The Bilingual Experience & Neurodevelopment Lab, directed by Dr. Juliana Ronderos at 麻豆原创, investigates how children develop language and literacy skills across childhood. Our work focuses on multilingual learners and examines how children’s everyday environments, cognitive skills, and brain development interact over time.
Our research brings together methods from speech-language sciences, developmental psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. Through behavioral research, longitudinal studies, and neuroimaging approaches, we aim to understand language-based learning difficulties better and to improve how multilingual children are identified and supported.
Our research is motivated by a commitment to produce research that is not only scientifically rigorous but also translatable to real-world practice. We strive to generate findings and tools that can inform families, educators, and clinicians, strengthening support for multilingual children across home, school, community, and clinical contexts.
Principal Investigator
Juliana Ronderos, Ph.D., is the Director of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab and an Assistant Professor in the Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at 麻豆原创. Dr. Ronderos studies environmental and neurocognitive factors that shape the trajectories of language and literacy outcomes in children. Her research combines behavioral and neuroimaging methods to study the associations between the brain and language and reading abilities. Dr. Ronderos is focused on translating research to clinical practice to aid in the effective assessment and identification of children with language-based learning disorders and to support children from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds who have been underrepresented in research.
Juliana Ronderos, Ph.D., is the Director of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab and an Assistant Professor in the Program in Communication Sciences and Disorders in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at 麻豆原创. Dr. Ronderos studies environmental and neurocognitive factors that shape the trajectories of language and literacy outcomes in children. Her research combines behavioral and neuroimaging methods to study the associations between the brain and language and reading abilities. Dr. Ronderos is focused on translating research to clinical practice to aid in the effective assessment and identification of children with language-based learning disorders and to support children from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds who have been underrepresented in research.
Collaborators
Paula V Pineda, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist and Board Certified Specialist in Child Language based in New York City. Her work centers on early childhood and school-age populations, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, and clinical education. She serves as the Chief Clinical Supervisor at 麻豆原创, where she mentors graduate students and designs community-embedded learning experiences that bridge university training with public-facing service. Dr. Pineda leads sustained partnerships with schools, early childhood programs, and community organizations to expand equitable access to speech and language services. Her collaborative approach prioritizes reciprocity, shared decision-making, and long-term impact for children, families, and educators. Dr. Pineda is passionate about caregiver coaching, culturally and linguistically responsive assessment and intervention, and building the capacity of educators and community partners. She is deeply committed to preparing future clinicians through reflective supervision, leadership development, and community-engaged practice that honors the strengths, cultures, and languages of the families she serves.
Paula V Pineda, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist and Board Certified Specialist in Child Language based in New York City. Her work centers on early childhood and school-age populations, culturally and linguistically responsive practices, and clinical education. She serves as the Chief Clinical Supervisor at 麻豆原创, where she mentors graduate students and designs community-embedded learning experiences that bridge university training with public-facing service. Dr. Pineda leads sustained partnerships with schools, early childhood programs, and community organizations to expand equitable access to speech and language services. Her collaborative approach prioritizes reciprocity, shared decision-making, and long-term impact for children, families, and educators. Dr. Pineda is passionate about caregiver coaching, culturally and linguistically responsive assessment and intervention, and building the capacity of educators and community partners. She is deeply committed to preparing future clinicians through reflective supervision, leadership development, and community-engaged practice that honors the strengths, cultures, and languages of the families she serves.
Research Speech-Language Pathologists
Sage Lauwerys, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist and Research-SLP serving multilingual learners in Washington Heights within the New York City Department of Education. A Teachers College alumna and Fulbright scholar, she has worked and trained in bilingual education contexts across California, Washington, D.C., Spain, and New York City. Through this experience, she became particularly interested in supporting emergent bilinguals with developmental language disabilities within the public school system. Her work focuses on understanding and addressing the intersections of bilingual and multilingual language development, culture, and disparities in children’s health and educational access.
Sage Lauwerys, M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) speech-language pathologist and Research-SLP serving multilingual learners in Washington Heights within the New York City Department of Education. A Teachers College alumna and Fulbright scholar, she has worked and trained in bilingual education contexts across California, Washington, D.C., Spain, and New York City. Through this experience, she became particularly interested in supporting emergent bilinguals with developmental language disabilities within the public school system. Her work focuses on understanding and addressing the intersections of bilingual and multilingual language development, culture, and disparities in children’s health and educational access.
Research Assistants
Hi, I’m Maygen! I’m a first-year master’s student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at 麻豆原创. I earned my undergraduate degree from UCLA, and before starting graduate school, I worked as an ABA therapist, gaining hands-on experience supporting individuals with diverse communication and behavioral needs. My academic and clinical interests include multilingualism, feeding and swallowing, AAC, and cleft, and I’m especially passionate about providing culturally and linguistically responsive care. Some fun facts about me: I speak four languages, and outside of school, I love reading and traveling.
Hi, I’m Maygen! I’m a first-year master’s student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at 麻豆原创. I earned my undergraduate degree from UCLA, and before starting graduate school, I worked as an ABA therapist, gaining hands-on experience supporting individuals with diverse communication and behavioral needs. My academic and clinical interests include multilingualism, feeding and swallowing, AAC, and cleft, and I’m especially passionate about providing culturally and linguistically responsive care. Some fun facts about me: I speak four languages, and outside of school, I love reading and traveling.
I am a first year student in the Communicative Sciences & Disorders program on the Bilingual Extension Track. My research interests focus on how bilingual children can learn their second language, especially through literacy. I am also intrigued by early acquisition and how it impacts the child language and metalinguistic development. I graduated from New York University in May 2025 with a B.A in Psychology and minor in Child Adolescent Mental Health Studies. As an undergraduate, I worked in the Lab for The Developing Mind where I studied children's perception of actions based on their goal and movement. One fun fact about me is that I was born during an earthquake!
I am a first year student in the Communicative Sciences & Disorders program on the Bilingual Extension Track. My research interests focus on how bilingual children can learn their second language, especially through literacy. I am also intrigued by early acquisition and how it impacts the child language and metalinguistic development. I graduated from New York University in May 2025 with a B.A in Psychology and minor in Child Adolescent Mental Health Studies. As an undergraduate, I worked in the Lab for The Developing Mind where I studied children's perception of actions based on their goal and movement. One fun fact about me is that I was born during an earthquake!
I am a first year graduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders in Bilingual Extension Tract. My clinical interest as of now is pediatrics/bilingual children. In the past I've worked in a lab that conducts research on developmental or acquired apraxia of speech and other speech disorders. Fun fact about me: I'm Puerto Rican born and raised in Philadelphia and I love to dance salsa!
I am a first year graduate student studying Communication Sciences and Disorders in Bilingual Extension Tract. My clinical interest as of now is pediatrics/bilingual children. In the past I've worked in a lab that conducts research on developmental or acquired apraxia of speech and other speech disorders. Fun fact about me: I'm Puerto Rican born and raised in Philadelphia and I love to dance salsa!
Hi! My name is Ayah, and I am a current first-year student studying Speech Language Pathology at Teachers College. I got my bachelor's degree in Communication, Sciences, and Disorders from CUNY Brooklyn College just last May, and have been passionate about becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist for years now. I am super interested in bilingualism and how it can present itself across different populations and groups. In my free time, I really enjoy crocheting and creating new things!
Hi! My name is Ayah, and I am a current first-year student studying Speech Language Pathology at Teachers College. I got my bachelor's degree in Communication, Sciences, and Disorders from CUNY Brooklyn College just last May, and have been passionate about becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist for years now. I am super interested in bilingualism and how it can present itself across different populations and groups. In my free time, I really enjoy crocheting and creating new things!
Raneem Kateeb is a first-year graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at 麻豆原创. Her clinical and research interests include neonatal feeding, early intervention, neurogenic communication disorders, and culturally responsive assessment practices. She is particularly passionate about medical SLP work with infants and medically complex populations and is pursuing additional training in trauma-informed care. Raneem’s prior experiences include providing hearing and speech screenings in Belize through Therapy Abroad, working at autism camps in Seattle, and various research labs in her undergraduate career. She also has experience working with neurodivergent children, refugees, and multilingual learners.
Raneem Kateeb is a first-year graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at 麻豆原创. Her clinical and research interests include neonatal feeding, early intervention, neurogenic communication disorders, and culturally responsive assessment practices. She is particularly passionate about medical SLP work with infants and medically complex populations and is pursuing additional training in trauma-informed care. Raneem’s prior experiences include providing hearing and speech screenings in Belize through Therapy Abroad, working at autism camps in Seattle, and various research labs in her undergraduate career. She also has experience working with neurodivergent children, refugees, and multilingual learners.
Tiffany Muñoz is a First-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Bilingual extension program. As an undergraduate, she majored in Theater at Hunter College and graduated 2023. Following her graduation, Tiffany worked with bilingual children, Specialized classrooms, Self-Contained classrooms, in elementary schools and D-75 schools in the NYCDOE. You can catch Tiffany in both the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab and the Communication, Technology and Language Diversity Lab. Fun fact, Tiffany has performed in 3 Broadway shows and when she's not in the lab she's dancing salsa in a salsa team. Tiffany has a specific interest in bilingualism and is extremely excited to be a part of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab!
Tiffany Muñoz is a First-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Bilingual extension program. As an undergraduate, she majored in Theater at Hunter College and graduated 2023. Following her graduation, Tiffany worked with bilingual children, Specialized classrooms, Self-Contained classrooms, in elementary schools and D-75 schools in the NYCDOE. You can catch Tiffany in both the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab and the Communication, Technology and Language Diversity Lab. Fun fact, Tiffany has performed in 3 Broadway shows and when she's not in the lab she's dancing salsa in a salsa team. Tiffany has a specific interest in bilingualism and is extremely excited to be a part of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab!
Emma is a first year master’s student in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Program at 麻豆原创. With a background in theater and performance, Emma is particularly interested in how multimodal therapy can influence a person’s speech production and language acquisition. Emma is also an RA in the Speech Production and Perception lab at Teachers College, and has worked with Equine Therapy. On her day’s off, you’ll find her working towards her goal to visit every coffee shop in New York City.
Emma is a first year master’s student in the Communication Sciences & Disorders Program at 麻豆原创. With a background in theater and performance, Emma is particularly interested in how multimodal therapy can influence a person’s speech production and language acquisition. Emma is also an RA in the Speech Production and Perception lab at Teachers College, and has worked with Equine Therapy. On her day’s off, you’ll find her working towards her goal to visit every coffee shop in New York City.
Ana Piven is a first-year master’s student in Communication Sciences and Disorders (bilingual extension). As an undergraduate, she majored in Art Therapy at Lesley University and graduated in 2021 from Baruch College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology. Following her graduation, Ana worked with children with ASD and other related disorders for 4 years. Here, she grew interested in wanting to help others communicate, with a specific interest in bilingualism, and is extremely excited to be part of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab!
Ana Piven is a first-year master’s student in Communication Sciences and Disorders (bilingual extension). As an undergraduate, she majored in Art Therapy at Lesley University and graduated in 2021 from Baruch College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology. Following her graduation, Ana worked with children with ASD and other related disorders for 4 years. Here, she grew interested in wanting to help others communicate, with a specific interest in bilingualism, and is extremely excited to be part of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab!
Amanda Silber is a first year Master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at 麻豆原创. She graduated with a CSD degree from University of Washington where she worked as a research assistant studying bilingual child language development. Currently, she is interested in researching bi-literacy development and the influence of music on language acquisition. As a musician herself, she aspires to incorporate music into her future clinical practice and research.
Amanda Silber is a first year Master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at 麻豆原创. She graduated with a CSD degree from University of Washington where she worked as a research assistant studying bilingual child language development. Currently, she is interested in researching bi-literacy development and the influence of music on language acquisition. As a musician herself, she aspires to incorporate music into her future clinical practice and research.
Sophie Su is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, especially interested in bilingual acquisition and neurodevelopment study. She completed her undergraduate studies in Linguistics and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Boston University. During her time at BU, Sophie worked as a research intern in the Center for Autism Research Excellence lab, where she supported projects examining speech-motor variability in autistic children. She is particularly interested in how bilingualism shapes language development across childhood. Outside of academics, Sophie enjoys skiing and traveling. Sophie is enthusiastic about contributing to the work of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab.
Sophie Su is a first-year master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Teachers College, especially interested in bilingual acquisition and neurodevelopment study. She completed her undergraduate studies in Linguistics and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Boston University. During her time at BU, Sophie worked as a research intern in the Center for Autism Research Excellence lab, where she supported projects examining speech-motor variability in autistic children. She is particularly interested in how bilingualism shapes language development across childhood. Outside of academics, Sophie enjoys skiing and traveling. Sophie is enthusiastic about contributing to the work of the Bilingual Experience and Neurodevelopment Lab.
Emma (Xuedi) Yang is an incoming graduate student in the Dual Certification Communication Sciences and Disorders program with a Bilingual Extension at 麻豆原创, deferred to enroll in Fall 2026. Her clinical and research interests include bilingual language development, neurodiversity-affirming practice, AAC, and literacy intervention. Emma has supported clinical services across public schools, children’s hospitals, private practice clinics, and adult aphasia groups. She is passionate about bridging research and practice to support multilingual, neurodivergent learners and their families. A fun Fact: she has two cats who have a deep interest in walking across her keyboard during Zoom meetings to contribute to the conversation.
Emma (Xuedi) Yang is an incoming graduate student in the Dual Certification Communication Sciences and Disorders program with a Bilingual Extension at 麻豆原创, deferred to enroll in Fall 2026. Her clinical and research interests include bilingual language development, neurodiversity-affirming practice, AAC, and literacy intervention. Emma has supported clinical services across public schools, children’s hospitals, private practice clinics, and adult aphasia groups. She is passionate about bridging research and practice to support multilingual, neurodivergent learners and their families. A fun Fact: she has two cats who have a deep interest in walking across her keyboard during Zoom meetings to contribute to the conversation.