My research sits at the intersection of phonetics, phonology, and speech perception, with a central focus on Yoruba and other understudied West African languages. I investigate how listeners with different language experiences- such as heritage speakers, second language learners, and native speakers- perceive and process complex phonological contrasts. A key strand of my work examines the perception of labial-velar stops, which are typologically rare sounds that offer rich insights into models of phonological representation and cross-linguistic speech processing.

Grounded in experimental methodologies, my research draws from acoustic analysis, behavioral perception tasks, and advanced statistical modeling. I am particularly interested in how language experience shapes the phonological grammar and the extent to which perceptual learning is influenced by native-language categories. My dissertation, supported by the NFMLTA-NCOLCTL Research Award, advances empirical and theoretical contributions to models of speech perception, including the Perceptual Assimilation Model (PAM), the Speech Learning Model (SLM), and Second Language Linguistic Perception (L2LP).

I earned my Ph.D. in Linguistics from Indiana University, where I specialized in phonological perception and African linguistics. Beyond my core phonological research, I also engage in work on Yoruba language pedagogy and the integration of digital tools- such as artificial intelligence- for teaching and learning African languages. I currently serve as a Visiting Lecturer in the African Studies Program at Indiana University, where I teach Yoruba language and culture and contribute to curriculum development and community engagement.