CBR Researchers Present at National and International Conferences

This summer, researchers from the BU Center for Brain Recovery (CBR) attended and presented at several leading conferences, both nationally and internationally, focused on aphasia, cognitive neuroscience, and neurodegenerative disorders.

From Pittsburgh to Athens, CBR team members had the ability to share their research, connect with field leaders and fellow trainees, as well as gain insights that will help inform their future work.

Clinical Aphasiology Conference

May 2026 | Pittsburgh, PA

Multiple CBR researchers attended this year’s Clinical Aphasiology Conference, presenting their work spanning patient-centered aphasia outcomes, neurocognitive predictors of recovery, and computational approaches to language assessment.

For Sharon Wang, a PhD student, the conference offered her the opportunity to see how emerging technologies are being integrated into clinical practice. She noted that CAC provided her with a distinct clinical perspective that was unique to other conferences she has attended. Sharon also connected with PhD students and faculty conducting similar work and gained valuable career advice through the conference’s mentorship panel.

Dr. Anna Serrichio, a Postdoctoral Researcher, presented her research examining how the brain’s learning and memory systems contribute to language recovery in people with post-stroke aphasia. Her study explored the role of the hippocampus through the use of MRI scans and memory and language assessments.

“We found that people with larger hippocampal volumes tended to perform better on memory tasks, and that stronger memory abilities were associated with better overall language skills,” said Anna. “While the hippocampus was related to associative memory, it was more strongly linked to overall language ability than to naming alone, suggesting that learning and memory systems support many aspects of language in aphasia. Overall, the findings highlight the hippocampus as an important contributor to language in people with post-stroke aphasia.”

As an NIDCD Student Fellow at the conference, Anna appreciated the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow trainees and early-career investigators from across the country.

Similarly, Madeline Dunne attended as an NIDCD Student Fellow and described the conference as a valuable opportunity to connect with both peers and role models within the clinical aphasiology community.

Presentations

Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

July 2026 | London, United Kingdom

International Conference on Primary Progressive Aphasia

July 2026 | London, United Kingdom

Following AAIC, Dr. Shalom Henderson attended the ICPPA, which is the first conference dedicated exclusively to primary progressive aphasia. The meeting brought together scientists and clinicians focused on understanding, diagnosing, and treating PPA and provided her with additional opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists Annual Meeting

June 2026 | Athens, Greece

Madeline Dunne traveled to Greece to attend two major aphasia meetings. At the Collaboration of Aphasia Trialists (CAT) Annual Meeting, she participated in a nominal group technique session for an upcoming research project, presented insights from the National Aphasia Association and the Center for Brain Recovery’s ongoing PCORI-funded research, and learned about the latest developments from CAT’s working groups.

International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference

July 2026 | Athens, Greece

Following the CAT Annual Meeting, Madeline Dunne attended the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference (IARC). This event enabled her to meet researchers from all around the world, engage in meaningful discussions surrounding AI, implementation science, decision-making capacity, and more.

Maddy remarked that across all of the conferences, it was great to see familiar faces but also make new connections and friends. She’s looking forward to seeing them again in the future and potentially collaborating.

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