Our Team
About The Team Behind TheraSpeak
Our team consists of internationally renowned language researchers, highly-trained speech language pathologists, and experts in the field of artificial intelligence approaches to language learning. The techniques we use to improve communication skills are based on decades of experience working with people with aphasia, and grounded in over 50 scientific publications in top-ranked journals including Brain and Language, the Journal of Neuroscience, Brain and Stroke.
ASTRID FRIDRIKSSON, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist (English / Spanish)
Education
- University of Central Florida, MA, CCC-SLP, 1997
- University of Central Florida, BS, Communication Sciences
Astrid’s Message To You:
“With over 20 years of experience as an SLP, I look forward to helping you improve your communication.”
About Astrid
As the head speech-language pathologist of the Aphasia Lab at the University of South Carolina for nine years, she coordinated and conducted evaluations and treatments for different research studies.
In these changing times, Astrid would like to make access to individualized, research based, speech and language therapy possible with the click of a button. Her understanding of the specific issues of stroke survivors, will ensure that therapy goals are functional and customized.
JULIUS FRIDRIKSSON, PHD
Speech Pathology
Education
- University of Arizona, PhD Speech Pathology, 2001
- University of Central Florida, MA, Speech Pathology, 1997
- University of Central Florida, BA, Communication Disorders, 1995
julius’s Message To You:
“Helping people with aphasia is my job, and my passion. I truly believe that the technology developed by TheraSpeak has the potential to help millions of individuals improve their language and communication skills.”
About Julius
Dr. Fridriksson is a neuroscientist and professor who leads multiple research projects that conduct cutting-edge research in the areas of stroke recovery and brain health in aging. Julius has been interested in aphasia and aphasia recovery for over 20 years, and has received multiple large-scale NIH grants to fund his research, including a large center grant which supports the Center for the Study of Aphasia Recovery at the University of South Carolina.
As the leader of C-STAR Julius oversees multiple research projects that use novel methods to treating aphasia (speech-entrainment, teletherapy, brain-stimulation, etc.), oversees numerous aphasia outreach programs, and teaches/mentors Masters students interested in working with aphasic individuals. Julius is also the SmartState Endowed Chair for the SmartBRAIN Center of Economic Excellence and the Vice President for Research at the University of South Carolina.
ROGER D. NEWMAN-NORLUND, PHD
Cognitive Neuroscience
Education
- Dartmouth College, PhD Cognitive Neuroscience, 2005
- SUNY Geneseo, BA Psychology, 1999
ROGER’S MESSAGE TO YOU:
“When it comes to communicating, practice makes perfect, whether you are a poet laureate or recovering from stroke. Computer-based approaches to aphasia training should be science-based, easily accessible, ultra-engaging and fun.”
About Roger
Roger is a cognitive neuroscientist interested in how the brain supports language production and comprehension. As a graduate student at Dartmouth College he mapped brain changes accompanying sound and gesture-based second language acquisition.
As part of the Aphasia Lab at the University of South Carolina he uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to understand how the brain changes as people get older, as well as how the brain adapts following traumatic events. He has over a decade of experience in the application of computer technology based training interventions designed to develop communication skills in clinical populations including stroke, traumatic brain injury and autism.
RYAN JOSEPH
Computer Programming
Ryan’S MESSAGE TO YOU:
“I know that not every individual with aphasia has the means to attend in-person treatment. My goal is to bring speech therapy to the web by creating an intuitive and comprehensive suite of communication and language training applications.”
About Ryan
Ryan Joseph is a gifted software developer from Boulder Colorado (currently living in Thailand). Ryan has been developing computer software for the past 10 years and is proficient in multiple programming languages including Unity, Objective-C, C++, C#, PHP, Swift, JavaScript, Python, Pascal and HTML.
Most recently, Ryan was employed by the Center for the Aphasia Lab at the University of South Carolina where he worked closely with a team of speech-language pathologists to create a suite of teletherapy applications. These applications were designed for individuals with aphasia who were unable to participate in in-person therapy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Ryan’s is the lead programmer for the team that creates and maintains TheraSpeak’s Unity-based web-apps, Therapist and TheraPractice.
A Comprehensive Approach To Speech Therapy
Our aim is to benefit you specifically in the most hassle-free, accommodating way: right over your computer or smartphone.
