Education

• Ph.D., Speech and Language Sciences
  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 2009
• M.A. Speech-Language Pathology
  Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 2004
• Staatsexamen Lehramt an Förderschulen (degree in special education)
  Leipzig University – Leipzig, Germany, 2001

Interests & Expertise

My research interests include the exploration of linguistic and non-linguistic factors that impact adults’ performance during language comprehension tasks. I am especially interested in the assessment of attention allocation and working memory processes and their relationship to language comprehension in individuals with and without aphasia. Aphasia is a disorder caused by brain damage, impairing language comprehension and language production. My goal is to contribute to the development of more carefully controlled and valid assessment materials for individuals with aphasia and related disorders.

Recent Publications

Heuer, S. & Hallowell, B. (2009). Visual attention in a multiple-choice task: influences of image characteristics with and without presentation of a verbal stimulus. Aphasiology, 23(3), 351-363.

Heuer, S., & Hallowell, B. (2007). An evaluation of test images for multiple-choice comprehension assessment in aphasia. Aphasiology, 21(9), 883-900.