Meet the STARS Team
Leaders in Stuttering Treatment
At STARS, we believe that advancing stuttering research and treatment requires collaboration among leaders in medicine, speech language pathology, neuroscience research and the community. Meet our volunteers who are making groundbreaking discoveries, developing new therapies, and fighting for the rights of people who stutter.
Board Members
Gerald Maguire MD
President and Founder Dr. Gerald Maguire, a psychiatrist and person who stutters, has dedicated his career to developing innovative treatments for stuttering and related neurological conditions. He is Chair and Director of Residency Training in Psychiatry at College Medical Center, Long Beach, California, and Faculty Director of Graduate Medical Education at the Maguire Neuropsychiatric Institute, Oroville Hospital.
Dr. Maguire earned a BS in Biochemistry from UC Davis, obtained his MD from Saint Louis University, and completed his psychiatry residency at UC Irvine. He is Professor Emeritus at UC Riverside School of Medicine, where he served as Chair of Psychiatry (2014–2021) and previously as Senior Associate Dean at UC Irvine (2007–2014).
A Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Member of the American College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Maguire has held leadership roles in the National Stuttering Association and the International Stuttering Association. He has published over 75 journal articles and authored multiple books and book chapters on the neuroscience-based treatment of stuttering.
For more information or to get in touch, you can reach me at GMaguireMD@StutteringResearch.org
Anelise Junqueira Bohnen PhD, SLP
Vice President Dr. Anelise Junqueira Bohnen is a leading expert in fluency disorders with a PhD in Applied Linguistics and a Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology. She specializes in stuttering, trained by the Stuttering Foundation of America and Northwestern University.
As President of the Brazilian Fluency Institute (IBF) and a member of multiple international advisory boards, she contributes to fluency research, policy, and education worldwide. A professor, author, and speaker, Dr. Bohnen has published extensively and presents nationally and internationally on fluency disorders.
Yoshikazu Kikuchi MD, PhD
Secretary Dr. Kikuchi is an Assistant Professor at Kyushu University Hospital’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. He earned his medical degree from Kyushu University in 2005 and completed a two-year residency thereafter. Dr. Kikuchi specializes in stuttering and fluency disorders, with research interests encompassing the neurological aspects of stuttering, social anxiety disorder, and vocal cord function during stuttering episodes. He has been an active member of stuttering self-help groups for over two decades and currently serves as the Japanese Development Chair for the World Stuttering Network.
Lisa LaSalle PhD, CCC-SLP
Treasurer Dr. Lisa LaSalle is a professor at California State University-Monterey Bay, where she teaches and supervises graduate clinicians in the Speech-Language Pathology Master’s program. With over 30 years of experience, she has held tenure-track positions at the University of Redlands and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, specializing in stuttering within the field of communication sciences and disorders.
Dr. LaSalle’s research and publications focus on preschoolers who stutter, as well as cluttering, stuttering and phonological complexity, and pharmacological considerations for stuttering treatment. Through her teaching, supervision, and applied research, she continues to contribute to advancements in fluency disorders and speech-language pathology.
Advisory Committee Members
Dr. Shahriar SheikhBahaei is an Empire Innovation Assistant Professor of Neurobiology at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and a person who stutters. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his PhD from a joint program between University College London (UCL) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. SheikhBahaei’s research investigates how astrocytes interact with neurons to regulate voluntary motor behaviors, focusing on speech and respiratory circuits. Using genetic, optical, and electrophysiological tools, his lab aims to uncover the contributions of glial cells to motor behaviors and disorders such as developmental stuttering
Sam is a graduate student at Columbia University with a passion for advancing treatment options for people who stutter. As a person who stutters himself, Sam has experienced significant improvement in his speech since starting pharmacological treatment several years ago. His personal journey has fueled his commitment to raising awareness and advocating for medical approaches to stuttering treatment.
Annie Hernandez graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, specializing in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. She currently works as a Research Assistant at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology in Jupiter, Florida, conducting inflammation experiments.
Stuttering since early childhood, she has been actively involved in the stuttering community, and in 2024 presented as a keynote speaker at several international conferences for people who stutter. When she isn’t conducting inflammation experiments at Scripps, Annie enjoys singing and songwriting, kayaking, and paddleboarding with her family and friends. As a dedicated STARS member, Annie is committed to leveraging her biomedical expertise and passion for supporting individuals who stutter to enhance their quality of life.
Zach Greene has always been fascinated by language and stories, leading to a BA in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a minor in the Classics, and a specialization in Literature and the Mind. Pharmacological intervention represented a significant milestone, impacting both his speech and igniting a passion for new treatment opportunities.
Gonçalo Leal is the co-founder and Clinical Director of the Speechcare & iStutter Center (Portugal, Spain, UAE). He serves as a professor and mentor in the “Specialization in Fluency Disorders” program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Concepción, Chile, and as a guest professor at the University of Ghana. A founding member of the Portuguese Society of Speech Therapy, he also served as coordinator of the Ethics Committee of the Portuguese Association of Speech Therapy.
Gonçalo collaborates with leading technology companies to develop digital speech therapy solutions and continues to engage in research, contribute to international conferences, and mentor students worldwide. He also delivers clinical training for Speech and Language Pathologists across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Tarek Hallal is a technology professional with over 35+ years' experience in the semiconductor sector, leading product development, business processes, and operations.
As a person who stutters, Tarek is committed to supporting science-based awareness and medical research aimed at finding a cure.
He is also active in the CNS brain tumor community, serving as an advocate and liaison across multiple foundations, research institutes, and patient support groups—helping to drive bold, cross-disciplinary strategies to accelerate progress.
Tricia Hedinger is a clinical associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Knoxville and a board-certified specialist in stuttering, cluttering, and other fluency disorders. With a strong background in stuttering support, anti-bullying initiatives, and summer camps, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive and empowering environments for individuals who stutter.
Ms. Hedinger serves as Vice Chair and Director of Continuing Education for the World Stuttering Network. She is also a published author, contributing to books, chapters, and peer-reviewed articles on stuttering and speech-language development.
Tom Scharstein is an entrepreneur, advocate, and international keynote speaker dedicated to supporting the global stuttering community. As Chair of the World Stuttering Network (WSN), the world’s largest international stuttering support organization, he has played a key role in fostering connections and resources for people who stutter. With nearly 30 years of leadership and advocacy, Tom is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals who stutter worldwide.
Hans is a global footwear expert with over 35 years of experience leading innovation, development, and operations across three continents. From the factory floor to the boardroom, his career has been defined by shaping the future of footwear. Now certified as a personal trainer, Hans combines coaching and consulting to help others thrive in business, health, and personal growth. A person who stutters, Hans is also a passionate advocate for the stuttering community, dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and empowering others to find their voice.
Jordan Inniss graduated in 2021 from Longwood University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, specializing in Digital Media. Drawing on his skills in the travel industry, Jordan is dedicated to helping people around the world who suffer from stuttering. A person who stuttered from an early age, Jordan was unaware of self-help strategies or support groups until he was introduced to the STARS family. Since then, his mission has been to become more actively involved in the stuttering community.
When he's not supporting others, Jordan enjoys spending quality time with loved ones and skateboarding outdoors in warm weather—especially when he can do both at once.
Ernie Canadeo is the Chairman and Founder of The EGC Group, a New York-based advertising and digital marketing agency celebrating its 40th anniversary. EGC has created award-winning marketing programs for major companies such as Canon USA, Brother International, KISS Products, Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, Emerging Vision, and dozens of healthcare, financial and education companies.
He is a person who stutters and was Chairman and served on board of the National Stuttering Association for over a decade. He created the NSA Kids program to expand programs to reach more young people and initiated the NSA Research Program to fund research into stuttering.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and lives in Long Island, New York with his wife Catherine.
Bryan Esler is a Michigan-based photographer who specializes in corporate and community events. Known for his authentic, people-first approach, he focuses on capturing the energy and emotion that make each moment worth remembering. As a person who stutters, Bryan brings a unique perspective and personal understanding to every STARS event, helping him connect on a deeper level with those he photographs. He’s also taken part in several stuttering research studies over the years, driven by a genuine interest in exploring new treatments and solutions for people who stutter.