Principal Investigator

Dr. Arjmandi is an Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COMD) and the Director of Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. He received his Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a specialization in Cognitive Sciences at Michigan State University. He completed a postdoctoral training in Auditory Neuroscience and Clinical Audiology in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear-Harvard Medical School. Dr. Arjmandi's research combines behavioral (psychophysical tuning curves, speech perception), signal processing, and neuroimaging techniques (fNIRS, EEG, fMRI) to systematically investigate the mechanisms and factors influencing the auditory, speech, and language outcomes in individuals with typical hearing and hearing loss, particularly listeners who receive cochlear implants. The goal of his basic and translational research is to translate the findings into clinical practice for developing improved diagnostic tools and personalized interventions and treatments for individuals with hearing impairment.

Research Audiologist

Anjali Desai, AuD, is a research audiologist whose passion is helping children and adults with hearing loss, with a focus on cochlear implants and other hearing technologies. She is interested in studying auditory processing in individuals with hearing loss, with an emphasis on understanding how cochlear implants and other hearing technologies can improve hearing outcomes. Anjali is known for her ability to connect with patients and their families, making them feel at ease and comfortable during experiments. Anjlai is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals with hearing loss and their families. She is an avid reader and enjoys keeping up-to-date with the latest research in audiology and cochlear implant technologies.

Samin Ashjaei is a Ph.D. student and a Graduate Research Assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience lab at the University of South Carolina. Samin joined the lab in August 2023. She holds a master’s degree in Audiology and has conducted extensive research in the areas of normal hearing, hearing impairment, and cochlear implants. Her primary focus is to identify the underlying causes of poor speech perception, especially in noisy environments, among individuals with hearing impairments and to develop effective clinical solutions for this issue. Within the Translational Auditory Neuroscience lab, Samin is responsible for investigating speech perception and production among cochlear implant listeners. She uses advanced techniques such as real-time altered auditory feedback presentation and vowel identification assessments. Additionally, she plans to employ neuroimaging methods such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system to further enhance her research. In her free time, she enjoys watching talk shows and drama series.

Julia Schildberg is a graduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience lab at the University of South Carolina. She graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida and is pursuing her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology. Julia Schildberg is on the Auditory Verbal Therapy track, where she is learning how to effectively support children and adults with hearing loss with speech and language. She has worked with both audiologists and speech-language pathologists at the University of South Carolina and is excited to share the expertise she has gained from her clinical work. Outside of school, she enjoys cooking, attending sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.

Reed Farrar is an undergraduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab at the University of South Carolina. He is majoring in Neuroscience and is particularly interested in the afferent nervous system and the way it brings sensory information to the brain. This ties into the work he does in the lab where he is learning how the electrode-neuron interface impacts auditory, speech, and language outcomes in cochlear implant users. He is also learning about the operation and application of fNIRS neuroimaging technology. After completing his undergraduate degree, Reed plans to attend medical school as the next step in his journey toward becoming an ophthalmologist. Outside the academic aspects of his life, Reed enjoys running, weightlifting, and designing board games.

Daniel Merkle is an undergraduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab at the University of South Carolina. He is a Biological Sciences major with interests in audiology and speech-language pathology. Daniel joined the lab in August 2025 and contributes a unique personal perspective as someone with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who uses both a cochlear implant and a hearing aid. His work in the lab aligns with his passion for understanding auditory processing and improving outcomes for individuals with hearing loss. Outside of the lab, Daniel enjoys staying fit, spending time outdoors, and meeting new people.

Gavriie Singh is an undergraduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab at the University of South Carolina. Majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Business Administration as an Honors College student, Gavriie hopes to matriculate into medical school after graduation. His research interests focus on the neural and perceptual processes in cochlear implant listeners, specifically exploring how auditory neuron health and cortical processing impact speech perception outcomes. Within the lab, Gavriie assists with fNIRS data collection, performs data processing and statistical analysis, contributes to manuscript writing, conducts literature reviews, and independently develops experiments using PsychoPy. Outside of academics, Gavriie enjoys playing piano, table tennis, and staying active at the gym.

Aleena Chattha is an undergraduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab at the University of South Carolina. She is pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences in the Honors College with the intent of matriculating into medical school after graduation. Her primary research interest centers on the cognitive consequences of age-related hearing loss with a focus on how auditory deprivation may accelerate pathways of cognitive decline. Within the lab, Aleena assists with data management and participant coordination. In her free time, she enjoys writing for the school's Garnet and Black magazine, photography, traveling, and practicing henna artistry.

Addie Rae Allen is an undergraduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab at the University of South Carolina. She is currently a junior double majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies and Neuroscience with a concentration in neurodevelopment and plans to dedicate her life to improving mental health outcomes for individuals who have been historically underrepresented in science. Within the lab, Addie Rae acts as the Lab Manager and oversees outreach to patients, organization of files within the lab drive, and overall communication with all lab members to ensure efficient work. Addie Rae fills her time outside the lab with volunteer work, reading, writing, cooking, yoga, and quality time with her friends and family.

Wes Duckett is an undergraduate research assistant in the Translational Auditory Neuroscience Lab at the University of South Carolina. He is a Neuroscience major in the South Carolina Honors College and plans to pursue medical school after graduation. Wes joined the lab in Spring 2025 and is currently learning to operate and apply functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in research settings, including data collection and analysis. His research interests focus on how auditory signals are processed in the brain and how this knowledge can improve clinical outcomes for cochlear implant users. Outside the lab, he works as an EMT, serves through Phi Delta Epsilon and USCDM Family Relations Committee, and enjoys playing guitar.

M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, 2025

Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech

M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, 2025

Speech-Language Pathologist, All on Board Speech, LLC

B.S. in Biological Sciences & Economics, 2024

Scribe Technician, CityMD (applying to medical school)

B.S. in Biological Science, 2025

Bridge Year Medical Assistant, Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (applying to medical school)

B.S. in Neuroscience, 2024

Clinical Treatment Coordinator, Orthodontic Clinic (applying to dental schools, DMD track) 

•   B.S. in Public Health, 2024

  MHA Candidate, Medical University of South Carolina