My research explores the psycholinguistic, cognitive, social, and structural mechanisms underlying language production in individuals with acquired language disorders. I am particularly interested in how word retrieval is influenced by both linguistic properties and individual differences. My research goal is to advance our understanding of aphasia and develop evidence-based interventions that enhance communication and quality of life.

Intervention Approaches to Support Language in Logopenic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia

This line of work investigates treatment approaches that target different sources of breakdown in lvPPA, with the goal of supporting meaningful communication in daily life.

One study explored the therapeutic impact of phonological treatment (with and without adjunctive brain stimulation), showing improvements in written language. Another study examined a verb-centered noun retrieval intervention leveraging thematic relationships and self-cueing strategies, which facilitated both trained and untrained word retrieval.

Together, these projects highlight promising avenues for therapies tailored to lvPPA.

Collaborators: Dr. Aneta Kielar (The University of Arizona), Dr. Katlyn Nickels (The University of Arizona), Dr. Pelagie Beeson (The University of Arizona), & Mrs. Kindle Rising (The University of Arizona)

Examining Psycholinguistic Properties of Word Retrieval Across Tasks in Logopenic Primary Progressive Aphasia

Word retrieval difficulties are a hallmark of logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA), yet the extent to which different psycholinguistic properties influence retrieval across various language tasks remains unclear.

In this four-study project, we investigate how psycholinguistic and cognitive factors shape naming performance in individuals with lvPPA across three tasks: confrontation naming (monolingual and bilingual; published), generative naming (published), and discourse (in preparation). 

This work contributes to a more nuanced understanding of lexical access in lvPPA and has implications for assessment and intervention strategies tailored to different language production demands.

Collaborators: Dr. Aneta Kielar (The University of Arizona), Dr. Vicky Lai (The University of Arizona), & Dr. Katlyn Nickels (The University of Arizona)

Investigating the Relationship Between Semantics, Phonology, and Naming in Post-Stroke Aphasia

Naming difficulties in aphasia arise from complex interactions between semantic and phonological processes. In this study, we used a structural equation modeling approach to examine how these cognitive domains relate to each other and influence naming performance in individuals with post-stroke aphasia.

Using data from 296 individuals, we found that semantic and phonological abilities are moderately correlated, and that they have distinct effects on naming accuracy and error patterns. These findings highlight the underlying mechanisms of word retrieval impairments and offer insights for refining aphasia assessment and intervention strategies.

Collaborator: Dr. Aneta Kielar (The University of Arizona)

Examining Verbal Fluency and Speech Assessment in Lebanese Speakers

This research project is centered on improving the equity and cultural relevance of speech and language assessment for Lebanese speakers. Through four complementary studies, we explore how factors like age, education, and category type shape performance on semantic verbal fluency tasks in adults, and extend these findings to children to begin establishing developmentally appropriate norms. The final study adapts and validates the Arabic version of the Radboud Dysarthria Assessment, contributing a much-needed clinical tool for Arabic-speaking populations. Together, these studies aim to broaden the inclusivity of language science and support more accurate culturally informed assessment practices in both research and clinical contexts.

Collaborator: Dr. Marwa Summara (Lebanese University) & Dr. Hiba Kassir (Lebanese University)

The Determinants of Health in Communication Sciences and Disorders

This project comprised of a book chapter that examined the social, structural, and political factors that shape health-related outcomes, with a focus on their relevance to the field of communication sciences and disorders. 

This chapter highlights the impact of social determinants on communication health, and calls for a shift toward more equitable and contextually grounded approaches to research, assessment, and intervention. In this chapter, we advocate for recognizing how systems of inequality influence clinical outcomes, and for reimagining the field in ways that better serve historically marginalized communities.

Collaborator: Dr. Molly Jacobs (The University of Florida) & Dr. Charles Ellis (The University of Florida)

If you encounter any issues accessing my research publications from the links above, please reach out to me at fjebahi at arizona.edu.