Lynda Feenaughty

What did you enjoy most about your time at UB, and especially in the CDS department?
As a doctoral student at UB, I appreciated the collaborative environment and the sense of community within the CDS department. The CDS faculty were supportive and made every effort to provide a rewarding learning experience, and there was a close, integrated graduate student group. I also enjoyed attending UB’s cognitive-science seminars to learn about emerging science on a wide range of subjects. 

Is there anything different that UB/CDS department offered compared to other programs?
The UB/CSD department offers individualized programs to meet research interests. My tailored program provided specialized training across various domains that are known to interfere with effective communication. I collaborated and learned from CDS faculty and faculty in the Department of Neurology. I also appreciated the work of my PhD mentor, Dr. Tjaden, specifically her relevant and interesting dysarthria research with individuals with multiple sclerosis. 

How has your time at UB prepared you for your current endeavors?
The training I received from UB provided the foundational skills to be successful as an academic researcher. I gained valuable knowledge from didactic courses and from many opportunities to design, conduct and disseminate research. I also had the opportunity to mentor students in the laboratory, teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and collaborate with faculty and fellow doctoral students. Through these experiences and collaborations, I developed valuable leadership, administration, and management skills to conduct multi-faceted research projects as well as to teach and mentor graduate students and junior STEM professionals.