Amanda Hampton Wray

Amanda Hampton Wray is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Science and Disorders at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She serves as Vice Chair for Innovation and is a certified speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP), conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of neuroscience and communication sciences.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Texas at Austin
• Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, Purdue University
• Doctor of Philosophy in Cognitive Neuroscience, Purdue University

Her research focuses on the development of neural systems that support language and attention, using multimodal approaches such as behavioral assessments, neurophysiological recordings, and neuroimaging. She investigates these processes in both typically developing populations and individuals with communication disorders, particularly those who stutter. Her work aims to uncover the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying language development and impairment.

Dr. Hampton Wray’s research program is supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including a Diversity Supplement award, highlighting her commitment to inclusive and innovative science. She contributes to training future professionals through her academic and mentorship roles within the Communication Science program.

Scientific Awards:

• NIH Diversity Supplement

She is actively involved in research innovation and interprofessional collaboration at SHRS. Her lab integrates cognitive neuroscience methodologies to advance understanding of communication disorders and to inform clinical practice. She is also featured in university stories emphasizing community-based approaches and educational outreach in speech and language sciences.