Meet The LAVA Team

Dr. Zoë Thijs is an Assistant Professor at Molloy University. She is also the primary investigator in the LAVA, where she loves combining speech-language pathology with research.

Dr. Thijs is interested in the assessment and treatment of voice disorders, especially in populations with potentially long-term voice difficulties. For more information, please visit the Research Lab and About pages.

Coming soon!

Alyn Calzada is an aspiring speech-language pathologist and a senior undergraduate at Molloy University. She graduated from Farmingdale State College with her associates degree in liberal arts and sciences. Her career path was strongly influenced by her son, Marcus, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and who is currently non-speaking. Seeing her son not being able to communicate his needs has inspired her to pursue this noble career. She hopes to one day work with children on the spectrum as well as to be a guide for families experiencing the same situation as her and her son. Alyn is also a bilingual student and hopes to receive her bilingual extension throughout her career and is interested to learn more about how bilingualism affects voice production. 

Maria is an aspiring clinical psychologist and a junior undergraduate at Molloy University, where she majors in social work with minors in psychology and sociology. Her academic journey is driven by a profound interest in understanding human behavior and helping individuals navigate life's challenges. Maria's bilingual background has significantly influenced her educational pursuits. She is deeply interested in how bilingualism affects voice production and cognitive processes. This unique perspective not only enriches her studies but also contributes to her goal of integrating her linguistic skills into her future career as a clinical psychologist. Her dedication to exploring the interplay between language, psychology, and social work exemplifies her commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field. Maria aspires to leverage her diverse expertise to support individuals and communities, fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment for all.