Dr. Barry Wagner
Dr. Barry Wagner
<b>Department: </b>Speech Pathology & Audiology<br><b>Research Area: </b>Augmentative and Alternative Communication Artificial Intelligence and Speech Pathology <br>

Department: Speech Pathology & Audiology

Research Focus: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Artificial Intelligence and Speech Pathology

Potential Student Project(s): I have two projects that are ongoing. I will briefly describe both projects. (a) I am investigating how typically developing children identify, locate, and sequence visual-graphic symbols (e.g., pictures). I am researching this area to eventually find better ways for children who are nonspeaking  to communicate when using different types of communication displays with Speech Generated Devices. This research also involves learning about visuospatial working memory models and applying these models to communication displays.  (b) I am investigating how the profession of speech-language pathology can use various AI platforms to assist school-age children who exhibit spoken and written language disorders, specifically related to narrative development (story grammars). I hope to be able to inform speech-language pathologist how to use specific AI platforms to facilitate narrative development. I am also currently setting-up a study for both supervisors and students in speech-language pathology where they can convey their interests in using AI platforms in the clinical process to help children on narrative development (story grammars). This study will use a survey design. 

Attributes/skills/background sought in undergraduate: 

  • Dependable (meet once a week for 60-90 minutes)
  • Enjoy learning and talking about research to make the world a better place
  • Like to write
  • Enjoy computers and computer programs (excel)
  • Like to develop graphs

Mentoring Plan: The student researcher will work 5 hours a week on one of the above projects, including meeting with the mentor for 60 minutes a week.

Contact: 765 285 8164, 407 Health Professions Building