Imke Wets

Imke Wets is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Language Studies at Radboud University. Her research focuses on language and speech pathology, particularly examining language impairments in individuals with aphasia or cognitive communication disorders due to brain damage. Co-supervised by Prof. Helen de Hoop, Dr. Lotte Hogeweg, and Dr. Marina B. Ruiter, her work bridges theoretical linguistics with clinically oriented research to improve functional communication therapies.

• PhD Candidate (2021–present), Radboud University
• Master in Language and Speech Pathology (2019–2020), Radboud University
• Bachelor in Speech Language Therapy and Audiology (2015–2018), Thomas More, Antwerp, Belgium

Her research interests include aphasia, cognitive communication disorders, neurodegenerative language disorders, pragmatics, and clinical practice. She has contributed to studies on discourse particles, semi-spontaneous language production in Dutch-speaking individuals with primary progressive aphasia, and systematic reviews of word production abilities in basal ganglia dysfunction. Her work employs methods like EEG, MEG, and lesion-symptom mapping to analyze neural mechanisms in language production.

Recent publications highlight her investigation into discourse particle usage in aphasia, which may inform clinical interventions. She has also explored the relationship between confrontation naming tests and semi-spontaneous language performance in primary progressive aphasia, though her regression analyses did not confirm naming scores as predictors. Her collaborations with Prof. Vitória Piai and Dr. Nikki Janssen include conference papers and poster presentations, such as at the IMPRS Conference 2020.