Kevin Pitt

Assistant Professor

Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Address: BKC 361
Lincoln NE 68583-0738
Phone: 402-472-3846 On-campus 2-3846
Email: kevin.pitt@unl.edu
Website: AAC Translation Lab

Kevin Pitt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, directs the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Translation (AACT) Lab. His research focuses on the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, alongside the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and user centered design to help create more intuitive, flexible, and emotionally responsive AAC systems.

Dr. Pitt’s work bridges innovation and clinical practice, aiming to create AAC systems that are not only technically advanced but also user-centered and accessible. Through collaborations with interdisciplinary teams, his lab investigates how personalization, symbol design, emotion-adaptive output, and other emerging technologies can enhance usability, engagement, and access for people who use AAC. His research includes the development and evaluation of display design strategies, such as visual scene displays and the use of motion, to support communication across a wide range of users, including children and individuals with cortical visual impairment (CVI).

He has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support this work. Dr Pitt received his doctoral degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Kansas.

Education

Ph.D., Speech-Language-Hearing, University of Kansas, 2019
M.S., Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology, Missouri State University, 2013
B.S., Radiologic Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2009
AAS., Radiologic Technology, St. Louis Community College Forest Park, 2006

Areas of Expertise

Clinical application of brain-controlled computers, AKA brain-computer interfaces (BCI)
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)
Cognitive, sensory, and motor integration for communication

Honors and Recognition

2021, ASHA Lessons for Success Mentorship Program
2020-21, ASHA Pathways Research Mentorship Program
2020-21, Scholarly Enhancement Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2020-21, NSF Career Club, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2018, Special Interest Group 19 (Speech Science) recognition for innovation and excellence
2018, Graduate Student and Post-Doctoral Travel Fund, College of Research Excellence, University of Kansas
2016, Student Research Travel Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2016, Meritorious Research Poster Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2016, Margaret C. Byrne Sarricks PhD Graduate Research Award, Department of Speech-Language Hearing, University of Kansas
2013, Laura Beth Windham Award for Clinical Performance in Speech-Language Pathology, Missouri State University
2012, Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association Outstanding Student Nominee, Missouri State University
2006, Outstanding Clinical Achievement Award for Radiology, Department of Radiologic Technology, St. Louis Community College Forest Park

Experience

2019-present, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2013-14, Speech-Language Pathologist, Innovative Therapy Solutions, and Reagan Rehab, Missouri
2012-19, Graduate Research Assistant
2009-10, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist, St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
2006-07, Radiologic Technologist, St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri

Memberships

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association