Laura Friedman
Laura Friedman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is an assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and the Principal Investigator of the IDDCO Lab. Dr. Friedman earned her B.A. in Hearing and Speech Sciences from the University of Maryland and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, where she trained at the Waisman Center. She then completed an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Friedman is also a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Her research focuses on the language abilities of adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a focus on fragile X syndrome and autism. She investigates how language can contribute to key adult outcomes, such as building friendships, finding meaningful employment, and developing self-advocacy skills. Her work uses a systems-based approach, looking at how genetics, environment, and lived experiences interact to influence outcomes across adulthood.
Samantha Taulbee
Samantha Taulbee is a second-year graduate student in the Masters of Speech & Hearing Sciences program. She earned her B.S. from the University of Houston–Victoria in 2020 and completed a post-baccalaureate certification in Communication Sciences Disorders at Portland State University in 2024. She has clinical experience working with neurodivergent children and volunteer experience supporting adults with acquired brain injuries, which shaped her commitment to client-centered, evidence-based practice. Her research interests include social-pragmatic language, autism in girls and women, and swallowing and cognitive-communication outcomes following an acquired brain injury.
Sophia Ortley-Guthrie
Sophia Ortley-Guthrie is a second-year Master’s of Speech & Hearing Sciences student. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2024 and completed a year as a pediatric speech-language pathology assistant before returning to complete her postgraduate education. Her research interests focus on the intersection of overall health, language development, and sociological factors in adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly how social, environmental, and familial contexts contribute to health and communication outcomes.
Harley Shehane
Harley Shehane is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences with a minor in American Sign Language. She has a passion for the field of speech-language pathology and is eager to contribute to meaningful research. Outside of academics, she enjoys listening to music, thrifting, and crocheting.