Gregory J. Spray

Education

Ph.D. Michigan State University, 2020

M.A. Michigan State University, 2014

B.S. Western Michigan University, 2012

About Me

Dr. Gregory Spray is an assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Auburn University. Prior to his appointment at Auburn, Dr. Spray was an assistant professor and MA graduate program director in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University, where he also completed his clinical and research training. Clinically, Dr. Spray has worked in a number of clinical settings to assess and treat individuals across the lifespan (ages 2-103): acute care, outpatient rehab, private practice (peds/adult), home care and skilled nursing facilities. His therapeutic expertise lies in the areas of dysphagia, motor speech disorders and cognition. While earning his doctorate, Dr. Spray participated in the Erasmus+ Program at South West University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and helped develop a medical speech-language pathology program with Prof. Dobrinka Georgieva.

Dr. Spray is the director of the Speech, Neurophysiology & Attitude Perceptions Laboratory (SNAP Lab) at Auburn University. His research interests include the neural bases of developmental stuttering that may help diagnose and predict persistent forms of stuttering. He is also interested in the neural bases of language development and disorders. He has published articles and presented posters in the areas of dyslexia, stuttering and bilingualism. 

Research Interests

Stuttering in children and adults; speech production; neuroimaging

Publications

Peer-Reviewed

Cao, F., Fan, Y., Yan, X., Chen, W., Dodson-Garrett, M., Spray, G.J., Wang, Z., & Deng, Y. (2022). Greater similarity between L1 and L2’s brain network in adults than in children. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 428, In Press.

Georgieva, D., Yaruss, J. S., Spray, G. J., Deliyski, D., & Kalpachka, D. (2021). Application of the WHO’s ICF framework in aphasia. Black Sea Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 3(2021), 1-8.

Johnson, C., Garnett, E. O., Chow, H.M.,  Spray, G. J., Zhu, D.C., & Chang, SE (2021). Developmental factors that predict head movement during resting-state fMRI in 3–7-year-old stuttering and non-stuttering children. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 15.

Hampton Wray, A., & Spray, G. (2020). Neural Processes Underlying Nonword Rhyme Differentiate Eventual Stuttering Persistence and Recovery. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 63(8), 2535-2554.

Cao, F., Wang, Z., Sussman, B. L., Yan, X., Spray, G. J., & Rios, V. (2019). L1 Reading Experience Influences L2 Lexical Learning: Spanish Learning in Chinese Speakers and English Speakers. Neuroscience, 416, 255-267.

Wang, Z., Yan, X., Liu, Y., Spray, G. J., Deng, Y., & Cao, F. (2019). Structural and functional abnormality of the putamen in children with developmental dyslexia. Neuropsychologia, 130, 26-37.

Cao, F., Yan, X., Spray, G. J., Liu, Y., & Deng, Y. (2018). Brain mechanisms underlying visuo-orthographic deficits in children with developmental dyslexia. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 12, 490.

Cao, F., Sussman, B. L., Rios, V., Yan, X., Wang, Z., Spray, G. J., & Mack, R. M. (2017). Different mechanisms in learning different second languages: Evidence from English speakers learning Chinese and Spanish. NeuroImage, 148, 284-295.

Cao, F., Yan, X., Wang, Z., Liu, Y., Wang, J., Spray, G. J., & Deng, Y. (2017). Neural signatures of phonological deficits in Chinese developmental dyslexia. NeuroImage, 146, 301-311.

Conference Proceedings

Spray, G. J. & Hampton Wray, A. (2018). Neural processes underlying phonological awareness in children who stutter. Proceedings of 3^rd International Conference on Stuttering, Rome, June 2018.

Spray, G. J., Nitzkin, J., Johnson, C., Chang, S.E., & Hunter, E. (2018). Second formant transitions differentiate children with persistent stuttering from fluent peers. Proceedings of 3^rd International Conference on Stuttering, Rome, June 2018. 

Johnson, C., Spray, G. J., Lescht, E., Chow, H.M., & Chang, S.E. (2018). Temperament factors affecting quality MRI data acquisition with preschool-aged children who stutter. Proceedings of 3^rd International Conference on Stuttering, Rome, June 2018.

Spray, G. J., Yan, X., Yanni, L., & Cao, F. (2017). Visuo-orthographic deficits in children with developmental dyslexia. Proceedings of 18^th Student Scientific Conference: Speech and Language Therapy, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, May 2017. 

Invited Presentations

“Neural Bases of Speech Production & Perception.” Invited Lecture for SHS 301: Speech Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 12, 2022.

“Neural Correlates of Phonological Ability & Speech Production in Children Who Stutter.” Invited Presentation at Auburn University, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, January 24, 2022.

“Neuroanatomy of Oral Language Development.” Invited Lecture for CSD 333: Oral Language Development, Michigan State University, February 17, 2022.

“Speech Production & Production: Neurological Considerations.” Invited Lecture for SHS 301: Speech Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 11, 2021.

“Phonological Disorders in Children Who Stutter.” Invited Presentation at Western Michigan University, Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, February 23, 2021.

“Introduction to Motor Speech Disorders: Basic Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology Related to Speech-Language Pathology.” Invited Presentation for CSD 203: Introduction to Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University, November 11, 2020.

“Neuroimaging Research and the Mystery of Developmental Stuttering.” Invited Presentation for South West University, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, May 2019.

“Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention of Dysphagia Across the Lifespan.” Invited Presentation for CSD 203: Introduction to Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University, April 18, 2018.

“Identification and Management of Motor Speech Disorders.” Invited Presentation for CSD 203: Introduction to Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University, March 12 & 14, 2018.

“Persistence & Recovery: Unraveling the Mystery of Developmental Stuttering.” Invited Presentation for South West University, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, April 18, 2017.

“Semantic Feature Analysis.” Invited presentation for CSD 815: Acquired Language Disorders, Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University, March 15, 2016.

“Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association.” Invited presentation for Michigan State University’s National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, East Lansing, MI, March 24, 2015.

“Aphasia: Research to Practice.” Presented at Metro Health Hospital, Wyoming, MI, April 22, 2014.

“Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association.” Invited presentation for Michigan State University’s National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, East Lansing, MI, February 12, 2014.

“The Stuttering Severity Instrument- 4^th Edition.” Invited presentation for CSD 830: Fluency Disorders, Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University, October 1, 2013.

“Dysphagia at St. Joseph Mercy-Livingston.” Presented at St. Joseph Mercy-Livingston Hospital, Howell, MI, November 11, 2013.

“Patient Adherence to Clinician Recommendations.” Presented for CSD 840: Voice Disorders, Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University, November 12, 2013.

Conference Presentations

(*Denotes past student/mentee)

Howells, K., Powell, J., Tichenor, S.E., Herring, C., Spray, G.J., & Yaruss, J.S. (2022, May). One percent or more: Outreach, acceptance, and representation. Oral presentation. 2022 Joint World Congress on Stuttering and Cluttering. Montreal, Canada.

Chow, H.M., Johnson, C.J., Spray, G.J., Garnett, E., Koenraads, S., & Chang, S.E. (2021, Jan.). Gray and white matter developmental trajectories associated with childhood stuttering persistence and recovery. Co-author not presenting. 2021 Oxford Dysfluency Conference. Oxford, United Kingdom (held virtually due to COVID-19).

Spray, G.J., Chow, H.M., Yaruss, J.S., & Chang, S.E. (2021, Jan.). Heightened links between phonological skills and white matter integrity in preschool age children who stutter. Poster presented at the 2021 Oxford Dysfluency Conference. Oxford, United Kingdom (held virtually due to COVID-19).

Spray, G.J. & Hampton Wray, A. (2018, Jul.). Neural processes underlying phonological awareness differentiates persistence and recovery in young children who stutter. Podium presentation presented at the 2018 Inaugural Joint World Congress of Stuttering and Cluttering; One World, Many Voices: Science & Community, Hiroshima, Japan.

Spray, G. J., Lescht, E., Johnson, C., Garnett, E. O., Chow, H.M., & Chang, S.E. (2018, Jul.). Neural correlates of lexical diversity in children who do and do not stutter. Poster presented at the 2018 Inaugural Joint World Congress of Stuttering and Cluttering; One World, Many Voices: Science & Community, Hiroshima, Japan.

Johnson, C., Lescht, E., Spray, G. J., & Chang, S-E. (2018, Jul.). Weighted-SLD stuttering severity using word and syllable counts. Poster presented at the 2018 Inaugural Joint World Congress of Stuttering and Cluttering; One World, Many Voices: Science & Community, Hiroshima, Japan.

Spray, G. J. & Hampton Wray (2018, Jun.). Neurophysiological processes underlying phonological awareness in children who stutter. Poster presented at the International Conference on Stuttering, Rome, Italy.

Spray, G. J., *Nitzkin, J., Johnson, C., Chang, S.E., & Hunter, E. (2018, Jun.). Second formant transitions differentiate children with persistent stuttering from fluent peers. Poster presented at the International Conference on Stuttering, Rome, Italy. 

Johnson, C., Spray, G. J., Lescht, E., Chow, H.M., & Chang, S.E. (2018, Jun.). Temperament factors affecting quality MRI data acquisition with preschool-aged children who stutter. Poster presented at the International Conference on Stuttering, Rome, Italy. 

Spray, G. J., Rose, V., Weber, C., & Hampton Wray, A. (2017, Nov.). Neural systems mediating phonological awareness help differentiate persistence or recovery in young children who stutter. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference, Los Angeles, CA.

Hampton Wray, A., Spray, G. J., Rose, V., & Weber, C. (2017, Sept.). Neural processes underlying phonological development help distinguish eventual persistence & recovery in development stuttering. Seminar presented at Oxford Dysfluency Conference, Oxford, UK.

Yan, X., Spray, G. J., Liu, Y., & Cao, F. (2017, Mar.). Brain mechanisms underlying visuo-orthographic deficits in children with developmental dyslexia. Poster presented at the Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Spray, G. J., Rose, V., Weber, C., & Hampton-Wray, M. (2017, Mar.). Phonological awareness in children who stutter: An ERP study. Poster presented at the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference, Troy, MI.

Spray, G. J., *Nitzkin, J., Chang, S.E., Hunter, E., & Berardi, M. (2016, Nov.). Second Formant Transitions in Stuttering Persistence & Recovery. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA. 

Spray, G. J., Kim, S.Y., Yan, X., & Cao, F. (2016, Apr.). Spoken language processing in the bilingual brain: An fMRI study. Poster presented at the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Yan, X., Spray, G. J., Yuan, D., & Cao, F. (2016, Apr.). Visuo-orthographic deficit in Chinese dyslexic children. Poster presented at the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Spray, G. J. (2016, Apr.). Undergraduate Student Interest Session.  Presented at the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.

Spray, G. J. (2016, Apr.) Graduate Student Interest Session. Presented at the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association Conference. Grand Rapids, MI. 

*Nitzkin, J., Spray, G., Hunter, E., & Berardi, M. (2016, Apr.). Second formant transitions in stuttering persistence & recovery. Presented at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. UURAF Award Recipient.

Chow, H.M., Spray, G., Bernstein Ratner, N., & Chang, S.E. (2015, Nov.). Speech-language development trajectories may predict persistent developmental stuttering during childhood. Poster presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Denver, CO.

*Barman, A., *Powers, A., *Prieskorn, J., Spray, G., Chow, H.M., & Chang, S.E. (2015, Apr.). Predicting persistence versus recovery in developmental stuttering. Poster presented at the University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Cognitive Science Forum Award Recipient.

Recent Service/Outreach

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders, Reviewer (2022-Present)

Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, Reviewer (2022-Present)

Topics in Language Disorders, Reviewer (2021)

Journal of Communication Disorders, Ad-hoc Reviewer (2020)

International Fluency Association, Membership & Social Media Committee (2018-Present)

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Convention Program Committee on Fluency (2021-Present)

Council of State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Presidents (CSAP), Secretary (2022-Present)

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, Director (2021-23)

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair (2022-24)

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Past-President (2021-22)

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association, President (2019-21)

Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association, President-Elect (2018-19)

Presidential Transition Committee, Michigan State University (2019-20)

Presidential Search Committee, Michigan State University (2018-19)

Courses Taught

SLHS 7810: Motor Speech Disorders