DHH-RERC and Project Team Members

Current DHH-RERC (2024-2029)

The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (DHH-RERC) is led by the Gallaudet University Technology Access Program. Our partners are Boston University, the University of Washington, AppTek, The John F. Kennedy Cetner for the Performing Arts, Smithsonian Institution, and the Hearing Loss Association of America.

DHH-RERC Leadership and Management 

The DHH-RERC is led and managed by the following staff at Gallaudet University:

  • Christian Vogler, PhD (DHH-RERC Director) — Professor, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy; Director, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University
  • Abraham Glasser (DHH-RERC Co-Director) — Assistant Professor, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University

RERC Steering Committee

  • Abraham Glasser — Gallaudet University
  • Christian Vogler — Gallaudet University
  • Naomi Caselli — Boston University
  • Jennifer Mankoff — University of Washington
  • Mike Veronis — AppTek
  • Michelle Cook — Smithsonian Institution
  • Jessica Swanson — The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Project Leads

  • Lorna Quandt — Associate Professor, Educational Neuroscience, Gallaudet University
  • Abraham Glasser — Assistant Professor, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University

Project Staff

  • Jason Durek— Research Engineer, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University 
  • Melissa Malzkuhn — Director, Motion Light Lab, Gallaudet University
  • Shela Atemnkeng, Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University 
  • Laurel Aichler, Graduate Assistant, PhD in Educational Neuroscience, Gallaudet University 

Former Project Staff

  • Joseph Palagano, Graduate Assistant, PhD in Educational Neuroscience, Gallaudet University 

R2 Project Team

Project Leads

  • Betty Siegel — Director, Office of Accessibility, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Michelle Cook — Inclusive Design Specialist, Smithsonian Institution
  • Allison Willcox — Deputy Director, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
  • Jessica Swanson — Manager of Accessibility, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Project Staff

  • Beth Ziebarth — Head Diversity Officer, Smithsonian Institution
  • Muna Shami — Director of Research and Evaluation, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
  • Linda Kozma-Spytek — Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Consultant
  • Maryvonne Neptune — Director, Institutional Giving, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Nathan Habon — Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University/The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

D1 Project Team

Project Leads

  • Christian Vogler — Professor, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy; Director, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University
  • Patrick Boudreault — Associate Professor, ASL Studies, Gallaudet University
  • Alex Perez — Machine Learning Scientist, AppTek

Project Staff

  • Jason Durek— Research Engineer, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University
  • Katie Nguyen — SVP of Data Operations, AppTek
  • Mike Veronis — Program Manager, AppTek
  • Shela Atemnkeng, Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University 

Paige DeVries, Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University

D2 Project Team

Project Leads

  • Naomi Caselli — Assistant Professor, Deaf Education; Director, AI & Education Initiative, Boston University
  • James Waller — Assistant Professor, Psychology and Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University

Project Staff

  • Jennifer Mankoff — Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington

Aashaka Desai — Doctoral Researcher, University of Washington