Belle Treviño, a graduate student at New Mexico State University studying communication disorders, is one of 14 students from across the United States to be awarded a fellowship from the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences.

The fellowship recognizes students who “strive through research, education and advocacy to improve the quality of life for people with neurologically based communication impairments.”

Treviño is working on her master’s degree in speech language pathology from NMSU’s Department of Communication Disorders. Treviño earned a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from NMSU, as well as an associate degree in counseling and educational psychology and a linguistics supplementary degree.

She worked in former NMSU assistant professor Bijoyaa Mohapatra’s aphasia research lab as a graduate research assistant.

Treviño worked on multiple projects with Mohapatra, who is now at Louisiana State University, including a storytelling intervention program for individuals with post-stroke aphasia.

Treviño said the fellowship will “allow me to further my knowledge of neurologic-based communication disorders.”

She added, “I am also thrilled to be part of a research team led by Dr. Mohapatra analyzing how a storytelling program may benefit (individuals with aphasia).”

As part of the fellowship, Treviño will attend the 2021 Academic of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences conference and be matched with an ANCDS faculty member with similar research and clinical interests. The ANCDS member will act as a mentor and offer opportunities to discuss research and clinical issues.

“While working with Dr. Mohapatra, I have become interested in conducting research in complementary and alternative approaches to aphasia treatment, namely areas investigating meditation, mindfulness and music,” Treviño said.

After earning her master’s degree, Treviño plans to pursue her Ph.D. and continuing research to support speech language pathologists and other researchers.

“I am very pleased to have been able to support Belle’s interest and application for this fellowship as her research mentor,” Mohapatra said. “This is an amazing opportunity and generates interest for research among budding and passionate scholars like Belle. She has been an integral part of the research team in my lab, and engaged in and grabbed every opportunity that came her way. I wish her the very best in her future research pursuits.”