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.
Undergraduate Students
Karuna Boparai
Steven Dhaliwal
Steven is an undergraduate neuroscience major with interests in speech, sensorimotor function, and clinical neuroscience. He currently works as a medical scribe and part-time EMT and also volunteers with Heart-to-Heart Hospice and ACEing Autism. Steven is passionate about connecting research with real-world clinical practice, particularly in understanding how the brain supports communication. In his free time, he enjoys lifting weights, playing basketball, and training for marathon.
Teena Maliakal
Teena is an honors student pursuing a BS in biology, a BS in healthcare studies, and a minor in healthcare management on the pre-med track with The University of Texas at Dallas. She is interested in neurology and genetics. Outside of academics, Teena enjoys reading, singing, dancing, playing basketball and volleyball, running, and playing the piano.
Vaibhav Mandala
Vaibhav is an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Dallas, pursuing a major in healthcare studies. He is passionate about exploring the science behind communication disorders, particularly stuttering, and investigating the impact of Parkinson’s disease on sensorimotor control. Outside of academics, Vaibhav enjoys working out, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Sridevi Sudhahar
Sridevi is an undergraduate neuroscience major at UT Dallas with interests in medicine, research, and neurodegenerative disorders. In the summer of 2022, she completed an independent research project on cognitive wellness in Alzheimer’s and dementia populations, during which she developed a cognitive stimulation workbook for use in retirement homes. This experience sparked her passion for patient-centered care and exploring the intersection between neuroscience and lived experience. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drinking coffee, and taking long walks in brisk weather.