Gallaudet University's
Vestibular & Balance Lab
ABOUT
At the Vestibular and Balance Lab, a number of projects are on-going to investigate various assessments for vestibular and balance systems, with special interest in serving the ASL-using Deaf adults who are older.​
PEOPLE
Chizuko Tamaki, Au.D, Ph.D.
Lab Director
Professor
Education
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Ph.D., Gallaudet University; Audiology; 2006
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Au.D., Gallaudet University; Clinical Doctorate in Audiology; 2004
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B.S., Plattsburgh State University of New York; Communication Sciences and Disorders; 2000
Dr. Chizuko (Chiz) Tamaki joined the HSLS faculty in 2007. She received both of her Au.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Gallaudet University. Dr. Tamaki has worked in a private practice setting (Professional Hearing Services - Dizziness and Balance Center) as well as in a hospital (Mayo Clinic Scottsdale). Although she has a wide range of clinical skills, she specializes in vestibular diagnosis and electrophysiology, which is where her research interests lie. She is especially interested in the balance function assessement and fall prevention in Deaf adults.
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Specializations
vestibular assessment; electrophysiology; diagnostic audiology
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Licensure/Certification
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCC-A)
District of Columbia, Audiologist
Commonwealth of Virginia, Audiologist
Commonwealth of Virginia, Hearing Aid Specialist
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Professional Affiliation
American Balance Society, Member
American Academy of Audiology, Member, Board of Directors - Member-At-Large
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Certified Member
Collaborators
Janis Cole-Patterson, PhD, CDI
Co-Investigator
Education
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Ph.D., Gallaudet University, Translation & Interpreting, 2019
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M.Ed., Boston University, Deaf/ASL Studies, 1991
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B.S.W., Rochester Institute of Technology, Social Work, 1980
Dr. Janis Cole-Patterson, Feminist, Adjunct Professor, ASL/English Interpreter/Translator; Educator/Consultant, Researcher and Facilitator. Currently, Janis is semi-retired from university teaching for over 40 years, combined Boston and Gallaudet Universities. She continues doing both, interpreting / translation work in private practice throughout the country, and as a practitioner and scholarly research and publication. As CEO of LesDeux2, she does consultation work on bilingual literacy and translation projects. At the present time, she is co-researcher with Dr. Tamaki on Vestibule Balance for Deaf Senior Citizens.
Specializations
Translation; Deaf/ASL/Cultural Studies; Signed Language Assessment; Sociolinguistic in Sign Language Communities; Gestures and International Signs
Certification
CDI
Professional Affiliations
American Translation Association, Member
Registry of Interpreting of the Deaf, Certified Member
Carol Riddick, PhD
Co-Investigator
Professor
Education
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Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University State College, Physical Education with Emphases in Gerontology and Therapeutic Recreation, 1980
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M.S., Florida State University, Urban and Regional Planning, 1972
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B.A., Florida State University, Sociology, 1970
Dr. Riddick is Professor and former Chair of the Physical Education and Recreation Department at Gallaudet University. Her professional career has revolved around empowering individuals to engage in and have fun with physical activities, attention to the needs of older adults / senior citizens, and educating college students. Her research studies include empowering and improving quality of life in older women, and implementing various recreational programs for older adults.
Certification
Certification, Aqua Instructor Phase I (by American Aerobic Association International & International Sports Medicine Association)
Lab Members
Chloe Scheff
Au.D. Student
Research Assistant
Chloe Scheff is a 2nd-year Doctor of Audiology student.
Alaina Milam
Au.D. Student
Research Assistant
Alaina Milam is a 2nd-year Doctor of Audiology student.
Former Lab Members
Jacquelin Kutz (2022-2024)
David López (2023-2024)
Seyma Yalcinkaya (2022-2023)
Morgan Zupkus (2021-2023)
Emily Nusbickel (2021-2022)
Emily Parks (2021-2022)
Brandie Mack (2021-2022)
Johnathon O'Neal (2019-2021)
Ashley Zaleski King (2014-2020)
Shelby Matthews (2018-2020)
L. Noelle Allemang (2017-2020)
Emalee Danner (2017-2020)
Grace Scott (2018-2019)
J. Eugenio Ravelo-Mendoza (2016-2017)
Torri Ann Woodruff (2015-2017)
Sean Smith (2014-2016)
Jonathan Suen (2013-2016)
Krystyna Graham (2013-2016)
Ashley Espinosa (2013-2015)