Skip to content

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 embroider and play with her toddler (although, not at the same time!)

Lab Manager

Andie Chao (she/her) is the lab manager of the Vocal Development Lab. She graduated from Boston University with a BS in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and a minor in Music. Her research interests include the relationship between motor skills and cognition in speech production and understanding how best to optimize clinical assessment and therapy through clinical research. In her free time she loves hiking, exploring the city, and watching travel-food documentaries.

Graduate Students

Molly Allen (she/her) is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Temple University. She has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in vocal performance and has spent the past 8 years as an opera singer and voice teacher. Her research interests include voice disorders, vocal development, and gender affirming voice therapy. When she is not doing schoolwork, Molly can be found teaching, singing, cooking, or exploring 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!

Research Assistants

Terra Baptiste (she/her) is an undergraduate student in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Temple University who is also working towards her ASL certificate. In the future she hopes to work with adults in trauma units or rehabilitation facilities with speech disorders. She is also interested in neurosciences and hope to concentrate in something similar in graduate school. In her free time she enjoy photography, listening to music, and anything food related. 

Sari Goldstein (she/they) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Major with a Minor in Psychology. She is interested in working with children with common speech disorders! Her interests outside of school are playing tennis, painting, and exploring Philly!

Kylie Hier (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Temple University majoring in Speech Language, and Hearing Science working towards her American Sign Language Certificate. She is interested in working with children as well as learning about language development and voice disorders. In her free time, Kylie enjoys reading, hiking, and playing spike ball!

Tatiana Houser (she/her) is undergraduate majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing science. She is interested in clinical speech pathology and applications of research on voice disorders. Outside of lab and class, Tatiana loves reading, yoga, and traveling. 

Danielle Krasnove (she/her) is an undergraduate student at Temple University majoring in Speech Language, and Hearing Science working towards her American Sign Language Certificate! She has a passion for working with children and enjoys learning about the development of speech and language, bilingualism, and anatomy and physiology. When she is not doing schoolwork, she can be found exploring Philly’s restaurants, lifting weights, or spending time with friends!

Ian Lively (he/him) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Major at Temple University and is working towards a certificate in American Sign Language. He is interested in geriatrics as a speech language pathologist. In his free time, he enjoys drawing, watching movies, and playing basketball.

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!

Sara Paulson (she/her) is an undergraduate English Major at Temple University pursuing a secondary degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Science and a certificate in American Sign Language. Her research interests include language development and voice disorders. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants around Philadelphia!

Cassidy Orzel (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Major at Temple University pursuing a certificate in American Sign Language. Her research interests include voice disorders, feeding and swallowing, and motor speech disorders. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, and playing with her cat!

Bella Pellitta (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech Language, and Hearing Science major at Temple University, 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!

Olivia Quinn (she/her) is an undergraduate Voice Performance and Speech Language Hearing Science double major at Temple University. Voice disorders are Olivia’s primary research focus. On her study breaks Olivia can be found on the water paddling a dragon boat or racing in her outrigger canoe.

Anna Rutherford (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Major with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience, working towards a certificate in American Sign Language as well. 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.  

Hayley Williams (she/her) is an undergraduate Speech, Language, and Hearing Science Major at Temple University with a Minor in Psychology and is working towards a certificate in American Sign Language. Her research interests include childhood voice and hearing disorders, and speech and language development. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to true-crime podcasts and going shopping around the city. 

Alumni

Lauren Colletti (Master’s Student, 2021-2022; M.A. Speech, Language, and Hearing Science 2022)

Lab Technician

Umer Rehman (Lab Technician, 2021-2022; B.S. Health Professions 2022)

Rachel Viknyansky (Research Assistant, 2021-2022; B.A. Speech, Language, and Hearing Science, Minor in Music 2022)

Collin Slade  (Research Assistant, 2021-2022)

Emily Clark (Lab Staff, 2021-2022; B.A. Speech, Language, and Hearing Science, Minor in Public Health 2022)

Nicholle Wall (Research Assistant, 2021-2022; B.A. Speech, Language, and Hearing Science, Minor in Cognitive Neuroscience 2022)