Ellyn Riley

Associate Professor
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Suite 1200, 621 Skytop
315.443.9621
Research and Teaching Interests
Acquired speech and language disorders, improving treatment outcomes for persons with aphasia, the role of fatigue in stroke recovery, neuromodulation as a tool to enhance speech and language therapy. For a complete listing of Dr. Riley's research go to her Laboratory Website.
Research Spotlight
Dr. Riley’s research lab focuses on improving treatments for aphasia, a language disorder primarily caused by stroke. In the Aphasia Lab, we use behavioral and physiological measures, applied linguistic theory, and neuromodulation techniques to study language and cognitive factors, changes in neurophysiology, and communicative barriers that can influence recovery for persons with aphasia. Our goal is to improve recovery outcomes and quality of life for persons with aphasia and their families.
Courses
CSD 726 Neurogenic Communication Disorders I
CSD 409/609 Cognitive Neuroscience of Speech and Language
CSD 345/645 Speech Science
Education
Northwestern University, Ph.D., Communication Sciences Disorders, 2011
Northwestern University, M.A., Speech-Language Pathology, 2009
University of New Mexico, B.S., Biology, 2004
Career
Associate Professor, Syracuse University, Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2020-present
Assistant Research Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Department of Neurology, 2016-present
Assistant Professor, Syracuse University, Department of Communications Sciences & Disorders, 2014-2020
Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University, Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, 2012-2014
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Northwestern University, Aphasia & Neurolinguistics Research Laboratory, 2011-2012
Selected Publications
Brookshire, C.E., Kendall, D. & Riley, E.A. (2021). Written language comprehension and acquired reading disorders. In Papathanassiou, Coppens, & Potagas (Eds.), Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders, 3rd Ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
Riley, E. A. & Owora, A. (2020). Relationship between physiologically measured attention and behavioral task engagement in persons with chronic aphasia. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63(5), 1430-1445. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_JSLHR-19-00016
Riley, E. A., Owora, A., McCleary, J. & Anderson, A. (2019). Sleepiness, exertion fatigue, arousal, and vigilant attention in persons with chronic aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 28(4) 1491-1508. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-18-0301
Wilmskoetter, J., Del Gaizo, J., Phillip, L., Behroozmand, R., Gleichgerrcht, E., Fridriksson, J., Riley, E. & Bonilha, L. (2019). Predicting naming responses based on pre-articulatory electrical activity in individuals with aphasia. Clin Neurophysiol, 130(11), 2153-2163. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2019.08.011
Riley, E. A. & Wu, Y. (2019). Artificial grammar learning with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): A pilot study. Brain Stimul, 12(5),1307-1308. DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2019.07.002
Riley, E.A., Barbieri, E., Weintraub, S., Mesulam, M.M, & Thompson, C.K. (2018). Semantic typicality effects in Primary Progressive Aphasia. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias. doi: 10.1177/1533317518762443
Riley, E.A. & McFarland, D.J. (2017). EEG error prediction as a solution for combining the advantages of retrieval practice and errorless learning. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 11:140. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00140
Riley, E.A. (2016). Patient fatigue in aphasia treatment: A survey of speech-language pathologists. Communication Disorders Quarterly. doi:10.1177/1525740116656330
News
(July 27, 2021)
CSD researchers are currently recruiting stroke patients who have experienced speech and language difficulties.
(Sept. 28, 2016)
Professor Asks if Sleep Speeds Stroke-Related Language Disorder Recovery