Lab Director, Dr. Anthony D. Koutsoftas
Dr. Anthony D. Koutsoftas is the director of the Reading, Oral Language, and Writing Lab (ROW-Lab) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Seton Hall University. He earned his Bachelors degree from New York University, his Masters from Teachers College, Columbia University, and his PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences at Arizona State University. He worked for five years as a school-based SLP for the NYC Department of Education. His research interests include reading, writing, and oral language development in typical and atypical populations, as well as the relationships between these skills. He is a big fan of chocolate chip cookies and always tries to match his attire and his PowerPoint presentation. He has published in peer reviewed journals including: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, Educational Research, Perspectives in School-Based Issues, and The Elementary School Journal . He has presented at conferences including the American Speech Language Hearing Association, the Symposium on Research in Child Language Disorders, and the Society for Scientific Studies in Reading.
– CV for Dr. Koutsoftas
– Follow Dr. Koutsoftas and the ROW-Lab on Twitter (@thespeechguy) and Facebook, using the buttons to the right.
Stefanie Joffe, Project Coordinator
Stefanie Joffe is the Project WILLD Coordinator, a development and innovation study of a writing intervention for children with language-based learning disabilities. She earned her Bachelors Degree from Syracuse University, her Masters in Education from Rutgers University, and her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology from Seton Hall University. She worked for three years as a school-based speech-language pathologist for the Union City Board of Education in New Jersey. After having her first child, she worked for three years providing Early Intervention Services for children birth to 3 years of age. Most recently, she worked for a private practice. She has three sons.
Kathleen Mahon, Graduate Research Assistant
Kathleen Mahon is a research assistant for Project WILLD, a development and innovation study evaluating a writing intervention for children with language-based learning disabilities. She is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education with a concentration in speech language pathology from Seton Hall University. She is currently a senior in this 6-year program.
Olivia Nasisi, Graduate Research Assistant
Olivia Nasisi is a research assistant for Project WILLD, a development and innovation study evaluating a writing intervention for children with language-based learning disabilities. She also participated in ROW-Lab’s Project Write to Learn, an evidence-based training program in the area of written expression for children with Specific Learning Disabilities. Olivia earned her Bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in 2021 with a double major in Elementary and Special Education with a concentration in Speech Language Pathology, and Environmental Studies. She is in her second and final year of working towards obtaining her Masters in Speech Language Pathology from Seton Hall University. Olivia has experienced general and special education school settings, as well as the private practice/outpatient clinic setting thus far.
Elizabeth Dennis, Graduate Research Assistant
Elizabeth Dennis is a research assistant for Project WILLD and PWTL. She double majored in Elementary/Special Education and Environmental Studies during her undergraduate years and is currently in her second year of her Masters program for Speech Language Pathology. Elizabeth has experienced providing therapy for special education students in public schools as well as students with multiple disabilities in a specialized school setting.
Sarah Peterson, Graduate Research Assistant
Sarah Peterson is a research assistant for the ROW lab. She graduated from Seton Hall University in 2021 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary/Special Education and double majored in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Sarah is currently in her second year of her Masters program for Speech Language Pathology. She has gained experience in providing therapy for students with multiple disabilities in a specialized school setting and for special education students in public schools.
Elizabeth McCollum, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Elizabeth McCollum is a research assistant for Project WILLD, a development and innovation study evaluating a writing intervention for children with language-based learning disabilities. She is in the process of earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education and has a second major studying Social and Behavioral Sciences. Elizabeth is on the speech-language pathology track and plans on earning a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology following undergrad. She is a rising junior at Seton Hall.