VCCA2025 – Organization

Organizing Committee (2025)

Bio & Motivation

Seba Ausili
(Chair)
University of Miami, USA.		Seba is a Research Scientist at the University of Miami’s Ear Institute. With a background in Acoustics and a PhD in Neuroscience, he delves into spatial multisensory integration, investigating spatial awareness in individuals with sensory impairments. His research also focuses on cochlear health post-cochlear implantation, leveraging innovative techniques and telemedicine for patient-centered and personalized care.
Carlos Benitez Barrera
(Co-Chair)
University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.

Carlos Benítez Barrera is an Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. A biomedical engineer turned speech scientist, he studies pediatric hearing-aid signal processing and uses large-scale real-world audio recordings to optimise hearing-aid and remote-microphone settings for children. Carlos leads NIH-funded work in the Pediatric Amplification Research Lab and is an active member of the Acoustical Society of America and the American Auditory Society.

Jan-Willem Wasmann
(Co-Chair)
Radboud University Medical Center, Netherlands.		Jan-Willem is a Medical Physicist – Audiologist at the Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc). Jan-Willem’s recent work includes data driven CI fitting techniques, remote care and AI chatbots in hearing healthcare. He would like to stimulate the creation of a network of more (hybrid) AI & Audiology experts and hopes the conference could lead to novel projects.
Hector Gabriel Corrale de Matos
(Program coordinator)
University of São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil.		Hector is a master student in Human Communication Processes and Disorders at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. He is a Wikimedian and engaged in translational international research on the use of Wikimedia projects as an active learning methodology and crowdsourcing tool in hearing health. Hector also served as a Planetary Health Alliance Campus Ambassador focusing on the hearing in the context of the climate crisis.
Autumn Smith
(Technical Chair)
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Autumn is a first year Au.D. student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She also completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with majors in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Neuroscience, and Psychology. Her research interests include improving the effectiveness of audiologic interventions by focusing on ecologically valid research methods.

Kaylee Castleberry
(Technical Chair)
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kaylee Castleberry is a 3rd year AuD student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also completed her Bachelor of Science in Education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a major in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a certificate in Theatre and Drama. Kaylee works as the Lab Manager of the Pediatric Auditory Experience and Brain Lab at the Waisman Center in Madison, WI. Her research and clinical interests are in pediatrics, electrophysiological testing, vestibular assessment and rehabilitation, and improving access to audiological care.

Mariana Ibanez-Baldor
(Technical Chair)
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mariana Ibanez-Baldor is a 3rd year AuD student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Aide Trejo
(Technical Chair)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Aide Trejo is a 1st year AuD student in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

 

Acknowledgements:

We would like to thank all those involved in the organisation.

VCCA2025 Links