People

Dr. K. Jason Crandall is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Co-Director of the Western Kentucky University Center for Applied Science in Health and Aging. With funding from the Retirement Research Foundation, Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation, National Institute on Aging, and the U. S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, his research focuses on novel physical and cognitive interventions to improve quality of life of older adults particularly Bingocize®, an innovative combination of bingo, exercise, and health education. In his free time, Dr. Crandall enjoys running and spending time with his daughter.

Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton is the Executive Director of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center and an Adjunct Professor in the Management Science Department at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. For more than eight years, she has overseen the day-to-day operations, strategic direction, and community programs of the nonprofit organization. She has also taught Computer Business Systems for more than nine years. Her professional and research interests include business management, strategic planning, and health education. Outside of work, Dr. Cotton enjoys walking, traveling, and watching movies.

Cara Vandergriff is a PhD candidate in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina. She earned a master’s degree in writing and linguistics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2011. In 2018, she earned a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Western Kentucky University. After obtaining the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP), Cara practiced as a medical SLP in her home state of Tennessee, as well as Georgia and Oregon in a variety of sub-acute settings. Her areas of clinical interest in techniques and tools to promote independence, connection, and communication among individuals with neurogenic communication disorders intersect with her current research role in the Aging Gracefully lab. Cara is an avid fly angler who enjoys fishing the rivers of Southern Appalachia in her free time. 

Mina Karami is a PhD student in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina and a member of the Aging Gracefully Lab. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology and has professional experience working with older adult populations. Her research broadly focuses on aging, with particular emphasis on memory, cognition, and mindfulness-based interventions, including mindful walking, in older adults. She works under the mentorship of Dr. Jean Neils-Strunjas.

Regan Hernandez is a senior at the University of South Carolina from Tampa, Florida. She is a Public Health major aspiring to become a speech language pathologist after graduate school. She hopes to work with both children and older adults. In her free time, she enjoys reading, scuba diving, crafts, and volunteering.

Carter Elston is a sophomore at the University of South Carolina and is originally from Lexington, SC. He is a Public Health major on the pre-medical track and is interested in pursuing Alzheimer’s and dementia research. In his free time, he enjoys running, traveling, and watching Gamecock football.

Shannoi Dixon is a master’s student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at the University of South Carolina and a current graduate assistant in the Aging Gracefully Lab. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is interested in its impact on one’s everyday life. She is currently working alongside the lab’s research team on a study examining the relationship between cognition and stress in older adults. She hopes to apply the findings of this study to her future work as a speech-language pathologist. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, and gardening.

Nidhi Dubey is a freshman at the University of South Carolina and is from Naperville, Illinois. She is a Public Health major on the pre-med track and hopes to become a physician in the future. In her free time, she likes going on walks, hanging out with friends, traveling, and trying new things.

Omar Shahed is a freshman at the University of South Carolina Honors College from Cleveland, Ohio. He is studying Public Health on the pre-medical track, with particular interests in how aging, activity, and exercise influence health outcomes. In his free time, Omar enjoys pickleball, weightlifting, and watching Cleveland sports.

Kate McDoniel is a first year graduate student in the speech-language pathology program at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is from Santa Monica, CA and graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2026 with a Bachelor’s of Art in Public Health. Kate hopes to work in a private practice or hospital setting after completion of graduate school. Outside of academics Kate enjoys reading, beach days, and spending time with the people she loves.

Ava Hicks is a graduate of the University of South Carolina from Houston, Texas. She majored in Biology and completed her senior thesis under the guidance of Dr. Jean Neils-Strunjas. She now attends the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where she is pursuing her medical degree, and hopes to work with older adults. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, cooking, and cheering on the Gamecocks.

Celine Benedico is a second-year graduate student in the speech language pathology program at the University of South Carolina. She is originally from Lake Mary, FL and just graduated from Florida State University with her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Science and Disorders. Celine hopes to one day work in either a school or private practice setting with children. In her free time, she enjoys walking, hanging out with friends and family, or laying out on the beach! 

Reilly Kocian is from Nashville, TN, and graduated in May of 2024 with a B.S. in Public Health and a Minor in Neuroscience. After graduating, he plans to attend medical school. She’s currently a part of the Mindful Walking Project and is writing her South Carolina Honors College thesis focusing on the effects of walking physical activity in mitigating dementia-related cognitive decline in older adults. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with friends and family. 

Kendall Mahmood graduated in May of 2024 with a Public Health major at the University of South Carolina. She is originally from Fort Mill, SC. She attends the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. Kendall hopes to one day work in a hospital to help improve communication function and quality of life for older adults following a stroke or TBI. In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking at the riverwalk, and hanging out with friends or family.

Katlyn Nguyen is from Fort Mill, SC, and graduated in August of 2024 from the Master of Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of South Carolina (USC). In May of 2022, she completed a B.S. degree in Public Health with a cognate in Natural Sciences at USC. Katlyn began her work in the lab in her senior year of undergrad and continued as a graduate student. In the lab, she managed the undergraduate volunteers and led the Mindful Walking Study. She enjoys working with the pediatric population and plans on working in early intervention after graduation. In her free time, enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, traveling, and trying new foods.

Mona Wiatr is from Wroclaw, Poland, and is a Ph.D. student at the University of Physical Education in Wroclaw. Her work focuses on physical exercise and its role in irisin myokine secretion in carcinogenesis. She received a B.A. in Physical Therapy at the University of Physical Education in Wroclaw and an M.A. in Physical Therapy at Wroclaw Medical University. She works as a physical therapist in Poland with various populations, including neurological disorders, pediatrics, and sport-focused patients. Her interests include public health, oncology, and physical exercise as non-pharmacological approaches for acute diseases. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the rehabilitation shelter for wild animals, painting, and exercising.

Jamie Jones is from Seneca, SC, and graduated in August of 2023 from the Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina. During her time at USC, she worked in the Aging Gracefully lab and assisted with running the Intergenerational Book Club, presented research at ASHA, and co-authored two published papers. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology from Clemson University. She will be completing her CF at a local elementary school. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, crocheting, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Abby Kiesow is from Beaver Dam, WI, and graduated in May of 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology. Her research interests include dementia risk factors, health outcomes, and mental and physical well-being. With the Aging Gracefully Lab, Abby successfully defended her senior thesis, “Mapping Risk Factors for Dementia Across the United States,” for the South Carolina Honors College. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and walking her dog.

Anna Maxwell is from Fort Mill, SC, and graduated in May of 2024 at UofSC. She plans to pursue an M.D. after graduating with a B.S. in Biological Sciences with a minor in Spanish. Her research interests include cognitive development, mental and physical well-being, and electrical engineering in regard to biological function. Anna is also currently a part of the PATCH lab, a project between the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the School of Public Health focused on the development of a wearable technology capable of accurate and comprehensive measurement of energy expenditure. Her hobbies include reading, painting, and volunteering with friends.

Dara Thompson is from Spartanburg, SC, and graduated in August of 2023 from the Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of South Carolina (USC). She graduated with a B.A. in Public Health from USC in 2019. During her time in undergrad, she completed a 6-month internship in the rehabilitation department in an acute care setting. Dara enjoys working with the aging population in the medical setting and would like to obtain a position as a clinical fellow in a skilled nursing facility to continue working with her desired population. In her free time, she enjoys loving on her cats, traveling, reading, and spending time with family. 

Caroline is from Atlanta, GA, and graduated in August of 2022 from the Speech-Language Pathology master’s program at the University of South Carolina. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia in May 2020. Caroline has a particular interest in the adult population and traumatic brain injuries. When Caroline has free time, she enjoys spending time outside or walking along the river walk.