Meet the BiRDI Team
Our lab is fortunate to have a number of excellent undergraduate and graduate students who keep our research going every day. This group of individuals works on projects focused on improving educational assessment to better inform intervention to support Spanish-English speaking children's language and literacy development. We work in partnership with Dr. Marc Goodrich's BiRDI Team at Texas A&M University and often conduct research studies across universities.
Currently, the BiRDI Team's work is funded by a Supported by a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development Grant (1R01HD114547: PIs Fitton & Goodrich). You can learn more about our current research here.
From 2021-2024, the BiRDI Team was funded by a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development Grant (R21HD106072: PIs Fitton & Goodrich). You can learn more about the project here. During 2020, this work was supported by a New Investigators Grant from the ASHFoundation.
Currently, the BiRDI Team's work is funded by a Supported by a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development Grant (1R01HD114547: PIs Fitton & Goodrich). You can learn more about our current research here.
From 2021-2024, the BiRDI Team was funded by a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development Grant (R21HD106072: PIs Fitton & Goodrich). You can learn more about the project here. During 2020, this work was supported by a New Investigators Grant from the ASHFoundation.
Leadership Team
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Gina Crosby-Quinatoa
Co-InvestigatorJuliana Gebhardt
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Kimberly Briseño
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Graduate Research Assistants
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Ivet Juarez Lemus
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Samantha Feeney
Class of 2025 
Masters in Speech-Language Pathology Student (M.S.)
Future Plans: To become a Speech-Language Pathologist. |
Andrea Cervantes
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Savannah Jackson
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Masters in Speech-Language Pathology Student (M.S.)
Future Plans: After completing my Master's in Speech-Language Pathology, I am interested in working with children in the bilingual community. With a commitment to cultural competence, I aspire to serve as a bridge for the gap in communication obstacles. Avery Cranford
Class of 2026 
Masters in Speech-Language Pathology Student (M.S.)
Future Plans: To become a Speech-Language Pathologist. |
Masters in Speech-Language Pathology Student (M.S.)
Key Honors & Accomplishments: Breaking Barriers Award Future Plans: To become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Letizia Tamburini
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Undergraduate Research Assistants
University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Caleb Rogers
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Joanna Godlewska
Class of 2024 
Public Health B.S. Major (Pre-Med)
Future Plans: To go to MUSC for medical school and focus in pediatrics or emergency medicine. |
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Jonathan Molina
Class of 2025 |
Trevor Puzzio
Class of 2025 |
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Psychology Major with Air Force ROTC Minor
Key Honors & Accomplishments: Type II Scholarship - AFROTC, LIFE Scholarship Future Plans: Commission into the Air Force as a 2d Lieutenant, get my PhD and become a clinical therapist. |
Human Resource Management Major with Spanish Minor
Key Honors & Accomplishments: South Carolina Honors College Research Grant Recipient Future Plans: Attend graduate school to become a speech-language pathologist. |
Interested in Getting Involved?
- Individuals (especially undergraduate students) interested in working on this project are encouraged to contact me.
- Detailed information about paid positions is available here.
- Learn more about our partnership with schools in Columbia, South Carolina here.
