2026 CFF Fellowship Lecture to Explore Impact Beyond the Research Lab

The Center for Families will host its 2026 CFF Fellowship Lecture on Thursday, November 5, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET, featuring Oliver Wendt, PhD, F-ASHA, for a presentation titled “Impact Beyond the Research Lab: Scaling Digital Health Innovations.”

The free public lecture will take place at the Dauch Alumni Center, Prusiecki Banquet Room, 403 W. Wood Street, West Lafayette, Indiana. Registration will open soon, and space is limited. Lunch will be provided to registered attendees.

Dr. Wendt, a 2012 Kontos Faculty Fellow and Kontos Faculty Scholar with the Center for Families, will share his journey translating technology-based intervention research into commercially viable digital health tools designed to support autistic learners and their families.

His research focuses on speech, language and social communication among minimally speaking individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, with particular expertise in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology. His work has contributed to the development of the SPEAK™ suite of AAC applications, demonstrating how evidence-based research can become scalable technologies with applications well beyond the university setting.

During the lecture, Wendt will discuss the process of moving innovations from research and development into digital health products for global use. He will highlight the creation of SPEAK MODalities, LLC, and SPEAK Abilities, LLP, as examples of how university research can be translated into products and services that directly benefit individuals, families and professionals.

Visit event webpage for more info and to register when open. https://centers.purdue.edu/cff/initiatives/cff-fellowship-lecture/2026_wendt/