Research Faculty and Staff

Joe Lau, Research Assistant Professor
josephcylau@northwestern.edu

Joe Lau is a Research Assistant Professor. He received his PhD. in Linguistics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Lau’s research concerns the neurocognitive bases of speech representations and speech processing broadly defined. His prior research used neurophysiological and behavioral methods in consonance with machine learning techniques to understand long-term and online neuroplasticity in speech encoding in neurotypical populations and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Lau’s most recent research in the NDL focuses on identifying the mechanistic underpinnings of the speech and language characteristics of ASD. His research utilizes novel computational- and machine-learning-based analytic techniques to identify fine-grained underlying mechanisms pertaining to speech, eye-gaze, and neurophysiology that cascade into communicative difficulties in ASD. Examining phenotypic data from individuals with ASD using a data-driven approach, his research also aims to identify combinations of language, cognitive, and neurophysiological measures which could best represent phenotypic profiles of ASD.

Anne Taylor, Research Project Co-Manager
anne.taylor@northwestern.edu

Anne Taylor is a research project coordinator who has worked with Dr. Losh and collaborator Dr. Martin for over a decade, and has played a key role in developing new research directions in the lab. She works remotely for the NDL from Chapel Hill, NC.

Anne has more than a decade of experience working on nationally funded research projects that examine various aspects of language and cognitive development in individuals with autism. Currently, Anne: coordinates personnel and budget activities; leads grant submissions, progress reports, and other project product; manages data administration, coding, and processing; and supervises and mentors research assistants, students, and volunteers.

Anne especially enjoys helping graduate students navigate the grant proposal process, so that they can become successful independent researchers.

Anne earned her B.A. in Psychology at the University of North Carolina.

Gabby Dillman, Research Project Co-Manager
gabrielle.dillman@northwestern.edu

Gabrielle Dillman is an Applied Behavioral Analysis [ABA] student working toward her Master’s degree.

Gabby has been working with children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities for years; with a brother who was diagnosed with autism as a child, she has an extremely personal connection to her work. Currently, Gabby works closely with participating families, codes and works through different data, and plans and recruits for lab-related events. Prior to joining NDL, she was a research assistant in two labs at the University of Iowa.

Gabby is excited to be moving toward an eventual career as an ABA therapist, working with children at all ages and stages who are affected by developmental differences.

Gabby earned her B.A. in Psychology with minors in Human Relations and Child Development at the University of Iowa.

Lindsay Goldman, Research Assistant
lindsay.goldman@northwestern.edu

Lindsay has recently joined the NDL in the role of Research Assistant. While earning her B.A. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she worked as an undergraduate intern at the NDL. As an undergraduate, Lindsay worked with adolescents with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. Looking ahead, Lindsay is eager to pursue a career as a neuropsychologist.