Lauren Hammond, MS, CCC-SLP, PhD(c)

Lauren Hammond, MS, CCC-SLP, is a Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and fourth-year ABD PhD Candidate in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Carolina. She serves as a research assistant in the Neurolinguistics and Aphasia Laboratory, collaborates closely with the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery (C-STAR), and has advanced training as a Level 1 MRI Technician. Her work centers on improving cognitive-linguistic recovery and life participation for individuals with post-stroke aphasia and neurodegenerative disorders. Lauren’s research examines the formal measurement of functional communication and the neural mechanisms that support rehabilitation in chronic aphasia, including neuroplasticity and interhemispheric reorganization. She also investigates how social networks, daily communication behaviors, and real-world interaction patterns shape long-term recovery. As part of this work, she is leading the development of CAST, a functional communication assessment designed to capture the dynamic, multimodal nature of everyday communication. In addition to her research, Lauren brings extensive clinical experience across medical and rehabilitation settings, including roles at Lexington Medical Center, Legacy Healthcare Services, and early-career experience in applied behavior therapy. She currently serves as a Clinical Supervisor and Community Outreach Coordinator at the University of South Carolina, mentoring aspiring clinicians and contributing to multiple interdisciplinary projects. Deeply invested in both patient-centered practice and scientific discovery, Lauren is driven by a desire to bridge research and real-world clinical outcomes. She aims to develop tools and approaches that not only measure communication more accurately but also meaningfully support recovery and quality of life for individuals living with aphasia. With a strong foundation of clinical experience, a growing body of research, and a passion for collaborative innovation, she continues to emerge as a leading voice in the study of communication recovery and neurorehabilitation.

• University of South Carolina - Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• California Baptist University-MS, Speech-Language Pathology
• California State University, Fullerton-BS, Communication Sciences and Disorders

• Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
• Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, State of North Carolina
• CITI Program, Human Research, Social and Behavioral Researchers, Clinical Trials for Investigational Drug/Medical Devices
• Commissioned Teaching Credential, Speech-Language Pathology Services

• Distinguished Early Career Professional
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)- Young Investigator Travel Fellowship

• Academy of Aphasia
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Hammond, L., Christensen, T., Fridriksson, J., & den Ouden, D. B. (2025). Assessing Functional Communication in Persons With Aphasia: A Scoping Review of Formal and Informal Measures. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 60(3), e70051.