Steven M. Barlow, PhD
Curriculum Vitae
Corwin Moore Professor
Associate Director: Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior
Department of Special Education & Communication Disorders
Professor (courtesy) Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering
Director, Communication Neuroscience Laboratories
Director, Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy Laboratory
Higuchi Bioscience & ASHA Fellow/Honors
- 2019 Callier Prize for Outstanding Scientific Achievement
- Laurels 2019 Recognition for Research
- 2015 ASHA Honors
- 2009 ASHA Fellow
- 2009 Higuchi Bioscience - Dolph Simons Biomedical Award
- 2003 Zemlin Award Speech Science
- 1985 Keck Award
- Society for Pediatric Research 2016 - Neonatology Research
- Founder: Neonatal Feeding Club, Pediatric Academic Society. Sanctioned 2011
- KU Leading Light Research Award 2012 in recognition of consecutive $1M+ extramural grant awards over multiple grant cycles (10 years)
- Louise Byrd Graduate Research Teaching Award 2012 in recognition for outstanding graduate research mentoring and education, presented by Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little
Students
Jake Greenwood
Ph.D. Student, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.S. Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2017
B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2017
Jacob is a second-year Ph.D. candidate in biological systems engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His doctoral research focuses on somatosensory stimulation and neurotherapeutics, with an emphasis on embedded systems development.
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Bridget Slagle, M.S.,
- Doctoral student Human Sciences. Neuroimaging, neuroplasticity, cerebral stroke.
- Interests: research neuroplasticity, rehabilitation/habilitation, and cerebral hemodynamics in pediatric and adult populations.
David Sanchez, M.S., CCC-SLP
Doctoral student Human Sciences. neuroimaging, neuroplasticity, cerebral stroke, neurotypical physiology.
Research Interests
My research interests lie at the intersection of cerebral oximetry and somatosensory processing in ischemic stroke survivors. I am specifically interested in how targeted, salient, and repetitive pneumotactile stimulation can serve as a noninvasive means of priming the cortex, driving afferent somatosensory input and evoking hemodynamic responses in the affected cortical regions. By characterizing changes in cerebral oxygenation and blood flow elicited by this stimulation, I aim to determine whether it can promote experience-dependent neuroplasticity and yield durable physiological and behavioral gains in stroke recovery.
Career Goals
To complete my PhD and develop the methodological and theoretical expertise to conduct independent research in neuroplasticity and neurorehabilitation. In the long term, I intend to continue investigating the mechanisms underlying post-stroke cortical reorganization, extend this work to other neurological conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain injury, and translate these findings into clinical practice. Ultimately, I hope to help establish clinics across the Midwest that offer noninvasive, evidence-based therapeutic interventions for stroke survivors, addressing the substantial burden of stroke in the region.
Noelle Abels, B.S.
- Master’s student SLP 2026-2028
- Neonate cerebral pattern generation NNS, fNIRS, NTrainer
Michael Martinez, B.S.
- Master’s student SLP 2025-2027
- Cerebral stroke fNIRS, GALILEO, rehab
Kayli Pham, B.S.
- Master’s student SLP 2025-2027
- Cerebral stroke fNIRS, GALILEO, speech/lang/cog, rehab
- I am passionate about connecting research to the clinical space! I plan to work as a speech-language pathologist in rehabilitative care, supporting recovery and confidence in returning to life.
Jamie Tran, UG Honors (sophomore)
- Biological Sciences, Pre-Med. Neonate cerebral pattern generation NNS, fNIRS, NTrainer.
- Member of Future Healers Program, MEDLIFE, and Vietnamese Student Association.
- Plan to attend medical school with a focus in pediatric cardiology.