About us

Lab Director

Liz Heller Murray, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Heller Murray (pronouns: she/her) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She completed her MS in Speech-Language Pathology at MGH Institute of Health Professions and her doctoral and postdoctoral work at Boston University. Dr. Heller Murray’s clinical background has focused on treating children with voice and velopharyngeal disorders. Her current research uses acoustic, aerodynamic, and perceptual methods to investigate vocal development in children with and without communication disorders. The goal of her work is to leverage this information to improve current therapeutic interventions for children with voice disorders. When she isn’t working, Dr. Heller Murray likes to do painting, pottery, gardening, and playing with her daughter and dog.

Anna Rutherford (she/her) is the lab manager of the Vocal Devlopment Lab. She graduated from Temple University with a BA in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience as well as her certificate in American Sign Language. Her research interests include language development, voice disorders, and childhood voice. In her free time, she enjoys baking, listening to music, and watching true crime documentaries.  

Sara Paulson (she/her) graduated from Temple University in December 2023 with a double major in English and Speech, Language, and Hearing Science. She also received a certificate in American Sign Language. She is currently working on a project with Dr. Heller Murray examining the barriers to providing pediatric voice therapy in the school systems. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants around Philadelphia!

Julia Tyminski (she/her) is a graduate student in Temple University’s Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Master’s Program. She achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Wesleyan University and worked in Human Resources before pursuing graduate school. Her research interests include voice disorders and gender-affirming voice therapy. In her free time, Julia enjoys cuddling her three cats, singing, trying out new Philadelphia restaurants, and creating user-generated content for brands!

Jillian McFarland (she/her) is an undergraduate student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Temple University and is working towards a certificate in Linguistics. Her goal is to one day work with children in a hospital. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and listening to music.

Arabella Nobel (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Major at Temple University pursuing a certificate in American Sign Language. Her future goal is to work in a children’s hospital. In her free time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and playing/listening to music!

Bella Pellitta (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech Language, and Hearing Science Major at Temple University who is also working towards her Linguistics and American Sign Language Certificates. In the future, she hopes to pursue her career with children who have voice or motor disorders. In her free time, she likes to shop with friends, spend time with family, hike with her dogs, and travel! This picture is from when she went to Berlin over the summer!

Varasiddhi Vinay (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Science student at Temple University working towards a certificate in American Sign Language. She is interested in voice disorders/therapy and would love to work in this niche one day. In her free time, she likes to thrift and style, sing, binge TV shows, and volunteer at an animal refuge in Philly!