Communication Sciences and Disorders
Ph.D.
Howard University
2014
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Faculty
Faculty
Alaina S. Davis
Associate Professor & Departmemt Chair
Department/Office
- Communication Sciences & Disorders
School/College
- School of Communications
- Graduate School
Biography
Dr. Alaina Davis is an Associate (tenured) Professor and the Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Howard University where she also received her Ph.D. She is a licensed Medical Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists. Her research interest and expertise are in neurologically based communication disorders with adolescents and adults and primarily focus on traumatic brain injury/sport-related concussion.
Dr. Davis directs the Cognitive-Communicative Skills Clinic and Research Lab (CCC Skills) in which the team examines cognitive-communicative deficits associated with sport-related concussion and return-to-learn/play/activity for student-athletes following concussion. Student-athletes are supported through her role as the Lead SLP on the HU Concussion Management Team. Dr. Davis is passionate about increasing the understanding of the cognitive and communication styles of adolescents and adults from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds and identifies culturally responsive methods for cognitive-communicative assessment and treatment.
In addition, Dr. Davis has served as the Director of Graduate Assessment. She has an interest in program assessment and analyzes the effect of cognitive learning styles on significant learning in academic and clinical activities related to speech-language pathology. Dr. Davis is published in professional journals and has co-authored chapters on TBI. She is the inaugural Chair of the Committee on Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. Lastly, Dr. Davis conducts webinars and trainings on brain injury and hosts the podcast, "Life, Language, & Lyrics."
Education & Expertise
Education
Speech-Language Pathology
M.S.
Southern University and A&M College
2009
Communication Disorders
B.A.
University of Houston
2005
Expertise
Speech-Language Pathology
Sport-related Concussion
Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion
Culturally Responsive Clinical Practice
Health Disparities/Healthcare Disparities
Cognitive-Communication Disorders
Executive Functions and Working Memory
Right Hemisphere Disorder
Aphasia
Academics
Academics
COSD 263: Anatomy & Physiology
COSD 543: Anatomy & Physiology
COSD 467: Tests & Measurements
COSD 557: Tests & Measurments
COSD 561: Neurogenic Language Disorders
COSD 567: Neurogenic Speech Disorders
COSD 569: Medical SLP
COSD 570: Dysphagia
COSD 607: Communication Disorders in Aging
COSD 612: Communication Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury
COSD 769: Neuro and Cognitive Foundations (Doctoral)
COSD 771: Seminar in Aging (Doctoral)
COSD 774: Seminar in Traumatic Brain Injury (Doctoral)
Research
Research
Specialty
Cognitive-Communication Disorders Associated with Sport-related Concussion/Traumatic Brain InjuryFunding
Integrating culturally adaptated principles in cognitive communication rehabilitation. ASHA Grant Program for Projects on Multicultural Activities. 2024. (co-PI)
Group Information
Center for Cognitive-Communicative Skills Clinic and Research Lab (CCC Skills).
-Managing brain and sports-related injuries.
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
2021 Provost's Distinguished Service Award
(2019) Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists - Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer
2019 HU Summer Research Fellowship
Verbal Reasoning, Working Memory, and Learning Strategies in Student-Athletes With and Without Concussion
2018 Junior Faculty Writing and Creative Works Summer Academy
2018 HU Summer Research Fellowship
The Speech-Language Pathologist’s Role in Increasing Knowledge and Attitudes of Athletes on Cognitive-Communication Symptoms Associated with Concussion
2017 HU Summer Research Retreat
Publications and Presentations
Publications and Presentations
(2024). Traumatic brain injury. Book chapter in "Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in neurorehabilitation: A personalized approach for speech-language pathologists."
Coelho, C., Davis, A. S., Key-DeLyria, S., Lindey, A., Maruca, A., Myers, J. R. & Solomon, N. (2024). Traumatic brain injury. In G. Wallace (Ed.). Cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in neurorehabilitation: A personalized approach for speech-language pathologists. Plural Publishing.
(2023). Eliminating racial bias and challenges for Black athletes with sports-related concussion: The role of SLP clinicians and researchers.
Davis, A. S. (2023). Eliminating racial bias and challenges for Black athletes with sports-related concussion: The role of SLP clinicians and researchers. Perspective of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_PERSP-21-00281.
(2022). Mapping meta-therapy onto the treatment of cognitive communication and language disorders in adults.
Bolowsky, V., Davis, A. S., & Zipse, L. (2022). Mapping meta-therapy onto the treatment of cognitive communication and language disorders in adults. Perspective of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. https://doi.org/10.1044/2022_PERSP-22-00072.
(2020) Shifting the mindset of racism through cognitive learning styles in communication sciences & disorders
Davis, A. S. & Stanford, S. (2020) Shifting the mindset of racism through cognitive learning styles in communication sciences & sisorders. Journal of the National Black Association for Speech, Language, and Hearing, 15(3), 87-97.
(2020) Still sitting at the back of the bus: Black communication sciences & disorders academicians surviving in a system of bias and prejudice
Stanford, S. & Davis, A. S. (2020) Still sitting at the back of the bus: Black communication sciences & disorders academicians surviving in a system of bias and prejudice. Journal of the National Black Association for Speech, Language, and Hearing, 15(3), 95-97.
(2016) Significance of concussions in Hawaii: From land to sea.
Cifu, D. X., Uchima, O. K., Davis, A. S., Lower, A. E., Jin, J. L., & Lew, H. L. (2016). Significance of concussions in Hawaii: From land to sea. Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 75(9), 262-265.
(2016) Cultural familiarity of figurative expressions from three music genres in African American adults
Davis, A. S., Wright-Harp, W., Lucker, J., Payne, J. C., & Campbell, A. (2016). Cultural familiarity of figurative expressions from three music genres in African American adults. Contemporary Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders, 43, 238- 254.
(2014) Traumatic brain injury. Book chapter in "Adult neurogenic language disorders: Assessment and treatment - An ethnobiological approach, 2nd Ed."
Payne, J. C., Wright-Harp, W., & Davis, A. S. (2014). Traumatic brain injury. In J. C. Payne, Adult Neurogenic Language Disorders: Assessment and Treatment–An Ethnobiological Approach. 2nd Edition (pp. 175-264). San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing.