Contact Information and Faculty
Interested students should contact the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at 561-297-6074.
Correspondence should be addressed to:
Florida Atlantic University
College of Education
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
777 Glades Road
P.O. Box 3091
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Faculty
The faculty includes four full-time professors and a clinic director, as well as clinical and adjunct faculty. The faculty represents a range of experience and expertise in a wide variety of disorder and research areas. View the Department Directory.
Dr. Dale F. Williams is a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. His principal area of research is stuttering. A board-certified specialist in fluency and fluency disorders, Dr. Williams has published research articles and books in his primary area of expertise, as well as across a variety of other communicative disorders.
Ali A. Danesh, PH.D., DFAAA, CCC-A,has research and interest in the areas of tinnitus, hyperacusis, misophonia, auditory evoked potentials, auditory processing disorders, auditory responses in both normal and pathological populations, vestibular assessment, and diagnostic/rehabilitative audiology. Ali A. Danesh, Ph.D., CCC-A, DFAAA, is currently a Professor at the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and also has a Secondary appointment as Professor of Biomedical Science at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Boca Raton, Florida, where he teaches courses in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of auditory and vestibular systems, audiology, genetics of communicative disorders, and aural rehabilitation. He also supervises graduate students at the FAU Communication Disorders Clinic. Dr. Danesh has affiliate faculty positions as Professor at the Department of Psychology, College of Science, and Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and Department of Biomedical Engineering, at the College of Engineering at FAU. Dr. Danesh obtained his B.Sc. in audiology from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, his M.S. in audiology from Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, and his Ph.D. in audiology, with an emphasis on auditory electrophysiology, from the University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Danesh is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (DFAAA) and an American Board of Audiology board certified practicing audiologist. His current clinical work concentrates on patients with tinnitus, vertigo, and sound sensitivity (e.g., hyperacusis and misophonia). His laboratory and research activities can be found at https://www.fau.edu/education/academicdepartments/csd/htbrl/
Dr. Fatemeh Tabari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology). Her research focuses on the neural dynamics of speech production, with particular emphasis on speech motor control in individuals with Parkinson's disease and healthy aging. Her laboratory employs electroencephalography (EEG) and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, including high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), to investigate the neural basis of speech and language. She is particularly interested in identifying neural biomarkers of speech impairment and developing neuromodulation-based approaches to improve communication outcomes. Dr. Tabari teaches Adult Language Disorders. She has authored several peer-reviewed research articles and serves as a reviewer for peer-reviewed journals in neuroscience and communication sciences.
Christy Timm Fulkerson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor focuses on language and literacy development in young children. Her research examines language-based risk factors for early literacy difficulties, with an emphasis on bilingual children. She is especially interested in improving early identification through more accurate and culturally responsive assessment practices, as well as strengthening the capacity of families, educators, and clinicians who support children’s language and literacy development. Dr. Timm Fulkerson teaches courses on language disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, and current research practices.
Anne L. van Zelst, Ph.D. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and assistant professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Her research focuses on speech-motor learning and memory consolidation with the future goal of informing the diagnosis and treatment of speech sound disorders. Likewise, Dr. van Zelst is a mentor and faculty member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. Clinically, she is Apraxia Kids Recognized for Advanced Training & Clinical Expertise in Childhood Apraxia of Speech and has been an instructor for the Apraxia Kids' school-based intensive training and several Apraxia Kids webinars. In addition, she is Level 2 trained in PROMPTs for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets.
Instructors and Clinical Staff
Kelly Steele is the Clinical Director in the Communication Disorders Clinic. Her professional and scholarly interests center on clinical education and supervision in speech-language pathology. She is also engaged in research examining the benefits of postsecondary programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including the impact of these programs on communication, independence, and social participation. Mrs. Steele supervises in the Communication Disorders Clinic, teaches the Clinical Practicum course and the Introduction to Communication Disorders undergraduate course.
Terry Clark, CCC-SLP is a full-time Clinical Supervisor in the Communication Disorders Clinic. Terry obtained her Master’s (M.Ed.) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from FAU in 1997. She has served as adjunct clinical supervisor since 2002, becoming full-time in 2014, and Clinic Director from 2016 – 2022. She was also part of the FAU family as the speech pathologist at the FAU lab school from 2005 – 2014. Her interest areas include supervision, fluency, aphasia, and apraxia of speech.
Lilyanna Zmijak, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a visiting instructor, associate director of FAU's inter-professional practice and education program, clinic supervisor, and is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist. Her interest areas include voice and swallowing disorders, orofacial myofunctional disorders, accent modification, and inter-professional education. She completed her MA and PhD at Wichita State University where she focused on voice disorders in vocal performers and professional voice users. Prior to re-joining FAU, Dr. Zmijak worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings including ICU and NICU, outpatient clinics, home health, skilled nursing and memory care centers, preschools, public schools, and universities, and private practice.
Clinical Adjunct Staff
Nicole C. Allen, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified speech-language pathologist, entrepreneur, and clinical educator with more than 26 years of experience serving children and families across school, clinic, and community settings. She is the Founder and CEO of ACE Speech & Language, LLC, a pediatric private practice specializing in speechlanguage therapy, feeding therapy, early intervention, and familycentered care throughout South Florida. Mrs. Allen earned her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida State University and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in SpeechLanguage Pathology (CCC-SLP) through American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA). She has received the ASHA ACE Award for continuing education and is also trained as an SOS Feeding Specialist for children with feeding and sensory-based challenges. In addition to private practice, Mrs. Allen serves as a lead speech-language pathologist and diagnostician within the public school system and provides clinical supervision and mentorship to graduate clinicians. Her professional interests include early language development, culturally and linguistically responsive assessment, pediatric feeding disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and school-based intervention practices. Mrs. Allen is passionate about equipping future clinicians with practical, compassionate, and evidence-based approaches to communication disorders while fostering strong partnerships with families and communities.
Harlee Atkins, Au.D., CCC-A received her Doctorate in Audiology from Nova Southeastern University with honors in 2024. She completed her externship at Labyrinth Audiology where she gained experience in hearing, balance, and auditory processing evaluations. In 2019, she graduated from the University of South Florida with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. During her time at NSU Dr. Atkins gained experience with many populations in a variety of clinical settings including adult and pediatric ENT clinics, hospitals, and private practices. She was also a recipient of the Audiology/Hearing Science Research Travel Award (ARTA) and was given the opportunity to present her research in Listening Effort at the 2022 ASHA convention in New Orleans. Dr. Atkins’s is now a clinical audiologist, and her areas of expertise include diagnostic Audiology for the Adult Population, selection and fitting of amplification, vestibular assessment, and auditory processing evaluations for pediatrics and adults.
Lori Bargas has worked at the CDC supervising students since August of 2003. Her MA is from the University of Colorado, and her work experience has been in hospitals and clinics with adult neurogenic speech disorders. Her interest area is the adult population with neurological disorders, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson’s. She also supervises at the Memory and Wellness Center, for a Communications Group.
Lisa Collins, CCC-SLP, is in her 28th year as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and is a Lead SLP supporting the schools in the School District of Palm Beach County. Lisa obtained her Master’s (M.S) degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nova Southeastern University. She has been supporting the FAU graduate students for the past two years. Lisa enjoys supporting and mentoring speech-language pathologists and Clinical Fellows.
Dr. Farzon Danesh is an audiologist specializing in tinnitus, hearing loss, dizziness, and cerumen management. His career in audiology began at the age of sixteen with Labyrinth Audiology, where he first developed his clinical interests and expertise. Dr. Danesh earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Central Florida and later completed his Doctorate in Audiology at Nova Southeastern University. Following his academic training, Dr. Danesh dedicated his professional efforts to serving veterans with hearing and balance disorders, including conditions associated with combat-related noise exposure. This experience further strengthened his clinical focus on complex audiological and tinnitus-related conditions. Dr. Danesh currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida Atlantic University, where he teaches graduate-level audiology courses and mentors future clinicians. In addition to his academic role, he continues his clinical work with Labyrinth Audiology, integrating evidence-based practice, patient care, and education to help advance the field of audiology.
Mara Friedman, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with nearly three decades of experience serving children and young adults across a variety of clinical and educational settings. Since beginning her career in 1997, she has worked in pediatric rehabilitation hospitals, preschool disabled programs, public and private schools, Early Intervention, and private practice settings. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Lafayette College and her Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from George Washington University. In 2023, she relocated to Florida and joined Love Serving Autism as the Therapist Outreach Coordinator. In this role, she supports programs that promote inclusion and accessibility for neurodiverse individuals through therapeutic recreation and community engagement. In addition to her clinical background, she is a certified LSA tennis coach, providing therapeutic racquet sports instruction to neurodiverse children and young adults. Her professional interests include social communication, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and innovative approaches that combine movement, recreation, and communication development. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, biking, reading, and spending time with her certified therapy dog, Ollie, a long-haired dachshund.
Jessica Gianos, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Program Specialist with Broward County Public Schools, where she supports speech-language services across public, charter, private, and hospital/homebound settings. With 20 years of experience in the field, she has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, private practice, and school-based services. Her professional experience spans the lifespan, providing services to individuals with diverse communication needs from early childhood through adulthood. Jessica has extensive expertise in assessment, intervention, program development, and educational service delivery. She is passionate about supporting individuals with communication disorders and mentoring future speech-language pathologists as they develop the skills necessary for successful clinical practice.
Elizabeth (Beth) Reeder, M.S., CCC/SLP has been an adjunct supervisor at FAU since 2018 and has worked in the Palm Beach County School District with elementary and Pre-K children for over 30 years. She is currently part of the district's diagnostic team, which assesses preschoolers through 12th grade students for speech and language impairments. She is an advocate of early intervention for children who are delayed in speech-language development. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with graduate students as they develop their clinical skills and professional confidence.
Maria Toth, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Speech Language pathologist, adjunct supervisor at Florida Atlantic University, and active member of professional organizations. She earned her Bachelor's Degree Cum Laude from the University of Florida and Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from FAU. She previously provided services at St. Mary’s Medical Center Outpatient Facility, Pinecrest Rehab Hospital, and The School District of Palm Beach County. Maria specializes in feeding and swallowing, myofunctional disorders, receptive and expressive language, developmental delays, social communication, phonological disorders, and motor speech disorders. As the founder of Toth Speech Services, LLC in West Boca, she is committed to providing individualized, evidence-based care in natural environments such as the home, school, and community. Experienced in Autism Spectrum Disorder intervention, Maria is dedicated to helping individuals of all ages achieve their highest potential. When Maria is not working, she enjoys spending time with her children, working out and volunteering in the community.
Department Staff:
Mr. Jeremy E. Bayne
jbayne1@health.fau.edu
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Program Information: 561-297-6074
CDC Information: 561-297-4026