This article is a part of the July/August 2026, Volume 38, Number 4, Audiology Today issue.
The Academy is proud to highlight the members and volunteers who help advance the profession every day. Through our Academy Spotlight series, we recognize individuals making meaningful contributions to audiology through clinical care, research, leadership, education, and service.
Member Spotlight
Our Member Spotlight features Akshay Maggu, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Maggu focuses on auditory processing and improving care for individuals with listening challenges in complex environments. His work emphasizes expanding access to practical, evidence-based tools across the lifespan. Supported by an American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Foundation research grant, his current project aims to enhance remote screening and intervention for auditory processing, helping reduce barriers to care. Dr. Maggu values making a direct impact on patients’ lives, mentoring future clinicians, and staying engaged with the field through collaboration and continued professional growth within the Academy.
Volunteer Spotlight
Our Volunteer Spotlight recognizes Kathleen Colella, AuD, clinical coordinator for audiology at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Through her volunteer work with the Academy, Dr. Colella served as the representative to the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH).
“Volunteering with the Academy has broadened my perspective on our profession. It is given me the opportunity to connect with audiologists across a wide range of specialties, practice settings, and career stages.”
Recognizing the Winter 2026 Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology
The Academy is proud to announce the winter 2026 class of Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Audiology (DFAAA), a prestigious honor recognizing Academy members who made exemplary contributions to the profession and demonstrated a sustained commitment to advancing audiology.
- Rebekah Cunningham, PhD, DFAAA
- Ali A. Danesh, PhD, DFAAA
- Mary Frintner, AuD, DFAAA
- Kristiina Koski Huckabay, AuD, DFAAA
- Antony R. Joseph, AuD, PhD, DFAAA
- Katherine M. Marchelletta, AuD, DFAAA
- Deborah W. Moncrieff, PhD, DFAAA
- Tracy L. Murphy, AuD, DFAAA
- Alyssa R. Needleman, PhD, DFAAA
- Susan Parr, AuD, DFAAA
- Samantha Kleindienst Robler, AuD, PhD, DFAAA
- LaGuinn P. Sherlock, AuD, DFAAA
- Kristine M. Trester, AuD, DFAAA
- Melissa Wikoff, AuD, DFAAA
Congratulations to the Inaugural Class of Advocacy Ambassadors
- Megan Adams
- Meagan Bachmann
- Jodie Baxter
- Jamie Bogle
- James Buechter
- Alexandra Calpo
- Brenna Carroll
- Mariah Cheyney
- Lee Cottrell
- Matthew Cross
- Kwame Curtis
- Grace Fairchild
- Patricia Gaffney
- Victoria Gonzalez
- Tyler Hawthorne
- Melissa Heche
- Gina Hounam
- Wafaa Kaf
- Jennie Kapadia
- Blythe Kitner
- Julie Lauridsen
- Rebecca Lewis
- Kaitlyn Marnien
- Patricia Mazzullo
- Adam Mehlenbacher
- Brooklyn Milam
- Walter Munoz
- Tracy Murphy
- Bre Myers
- Kristi Oeding
- Molly O’Hearn
- Catherine Palmer
- Maria Pomponio
- Tracie Rice
- Kathryn Roberts
- Samantha Kleindienst Robler
- Hector Sanchez
- Collin Sexton
- Carla Smiley
- Brianna Smyth
- Greta Stamper
- Tina Stern
- Susan Von Dollen
- Kadyn Williams
- Matthew Williams
- David Zapala
Congratulations New ABA Credential HoldersJanuary 1–March 31, 2026
- Sheneekra W. Adams, AuD
- Georgina Angel Aidoo, AuD
- Chelsea Bega, AuD
- Lindsay Bondurant, PhD
- Kaleigh Browning, AuD
- Alyssa Canosa, AuD
- Ethan Chen, AuD
- Kenneth Chua, AuD
- Ma Leonora Cuevas Clerigo, AuD
- Brenna Crockwell, AuD
- Aranjae Gay, AuD
- Ashlee Gentile, AuD
- Jacqueline Gonzalez, AuD
- Sharad Govil, AuD
- Jennifer Gryska, AuD
- Elissa Kawamoto, AuD
- Devan Keesling, AuD
- Devon Kulinski, AuD
- Elizabeth LaRoser, AuD
- Rachel Lowrance, AuD
- Brianne Mangold, AuD
- Roksolana Mu, AuD
- Eric Nelson, AuD
- Malini Patel, AuD
- Tammy Riegner, AuD
- Heather Sprague, AuD
- Lucy Tence Corbin, AuD
- Jennifer Tyler, AuD
- Sage West, AuD
- Marlisa Wootton, AuD
Certificate Holder–Tinnitus Management
- Sonitha Abhilash, AuD
- Lalisse Atkins, AuD
- Rachel Bond, AuD
- Katherine Bowman, AuD
- Taylor Chabot, AuD
- Kristen Decelles, AuD
- Mae Foster, AuD
- Jennifer Henderson Sabes, AuD
- Jamie Herskovitz, AuD
- Brittany Howard, AuD
- Paige Juarez, AuD
- Rachel Liss, AuD
- Meaghan McCullagh, AuD
- Diane Novak, AuD
- Alexandra Ostrowski
- Halie Paperno
- Kaitlyn Sheapp, AuD
- Chloe Sinz, AuD
- Kelsey Tamburri
- Taylor Van Warner
Certificate Holder–Audiology Preceptor
- Madison Ansbach, AuD
- Harlee Daniel, AuD
- Maria Dias
- Lauren Dwyer, AuD
- Dawn Estelle, AuD
- Kelli Ferry, AuD
- Arifa Habid, AuD
- Sydney Huthnance, AuD
- Sarah King, AuD
- Lori Klingenberg, AuD
- Jacquelin Kutz
- Alexandra Mabley Burns, AuD
- Erin Steele, AuD
- Katlyn Van Dyke, AuD
Certificate Holder–Educational Audiology
- Caitlin Agreda
- Katie Cavanaugh
- Sarah Choi, AuD
- Hannah Cohen
- Kalani Cox
- Hilary Davis, AuD
- Michele Elkin, AuD
- Diana Fitzgerald
- Nancy Gallihugh
- Amanda Goodrich, AuD
- Jane Kovacs
- Donna Merchant, AuD
- Stephanie Meyer, AuD
- Debra Mikus, MS
- Reanne Pernitsky
- Emily Pfisterer, MA
- Tracey Post, AuD
- Abigail Prawitz
- Zeinab Ranjbar
- Kaia Richmond, AuD
- Kristin Samuelson, AuD
- Kayli Silverstein
- Krista Yuskow, AuD
Have News to Share?
Have you recently presented your research at a conference, started a new role, or earned a new credential? Reach out to membership@audiology.org to have your work or news featured in a future Academy Spotlight.
Academy Hosts Session at World Congress of Audiology 2026
The American Academy of Audiology hosted a special session at the World Congress of Audiology (WCA) 2026 in Seoul, South Korea, on May 25. Supported by the International Society of Audiology, the congress brought together hearing health professionals from around the world. During the Academy’s session, a distinguished lineup of speakers showcased emerging research and provided insights into cutting-edge developments shaping the future of audiology in the United States.
