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Biography

Dr. Nicholas is an Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology in the School of Education teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on child speech, language, and communication. With over two decades of experience working with young children in a variety of research and clinical settings, she is a Â鶹ԭ´´ state-licensed and American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA)-certified Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist focusing on Early Intervention. Dr. Nicholas completed her Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Developmental Psycholinguistics and later re-specialized with a clinical Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Arizona. She was recently nominated for the 2026 NSHE Rising Researcher Award. Through application of principles of statistical learning, her research aims to improve treatment techniques for children with late language emergence and developmental language disorders. Dr. Nicholas’s recent work investigates the interplay of semantics (meaning) and syntax (grammar) in verb learning of typically-developing, late talking, and bilingual children. She has published studies in various peer-reviewed journals including the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology</i>; Language Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools</i>; the Journal of Communication Disorders</i>; Child Language Teaching and Therapy</i>; and the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research where she currently serves on the Editorial Board for the Language Section. Dr. Nicholas is also a member of the Council for Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders and has served on an advisory subcommittee for the State of Â鶹ԭ´´ Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board. In her leisure time, she enjoys pub trivia, hiking, visiting National Parks and geologically interesting places, yoga, ballet, and collecting perfume.