She is also the Director of the Cochlear Implant Research Laboratory at Vanderbilt where she carries out her NIH funded research on combined electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS). She received her undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees at Arizona State University and her M.S. at Vanderbilt University. She completed a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Cochlear Implant Laboratory at Arizona State University under the direction of Michael Dorman, Ph.D. Dr. Gifford has authored over 45 peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters, has delivered nearly 100 national and international presentations. When not in the lab, clinic, or classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, and two dogs, as well as daydreaming about getting more sleep.