Lab Director
Saul Frankford, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Frankford is in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences. His research investigates how individuals carry out the complex act of speaking. Specifically, he is interested in how sensation and perception (hearing, feeling) interact with motor function. To enhance diagnostic and therapeutic tools—and ultimately improve the lives of those who experience communication difficulties—his research uses a range of neural, acoustic, and physiological methods to uncover the underlying mechanisms of speech disorders.
Dr. Frankford completed his post-doctoral research training at Boston University and Mass Eye and Ear / Harvard Medical School. He earned his PhD in speech, language, and hearing sciences from Boston University and his BA in music with a minor in human communication sciences from Northwestern University.
He enjoys choral singing and spending time with his wonderful wife and two children.
Speech Language Pathology Students
Gabrielle Welling, BS, BA
Gaby is a speech-language pathology masters student at The University of Texas at Dallas. She completed her undergraduate degrees in psychology and communication studies at Louisiana State University. She is interested in pediatric language acquisition and disorders and feeding/swallowing disorders. In her free time, she likes walking her dog Jellybean, playing puzzle games, and doing any craft she can get her hands on.
Raegan Hoyer, BS
Raegan graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and is currently enrolled in the speech-language pathology master’s program at UTD. Raegan is interested in completing research on stuttering. Outside of school, Raegan enjoys climbing and playing the piano.