People
Principal Investigator
Dr. Clare Harrop is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at UNC Chapel Hill. She is a member of the UNC Autism Center and an Investigator at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. She is affiliated with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and faculty in the DHS Office of Research and Scholarship. Dr. Harrop received her BSc. in Psychology from Durham University, her MSc. in Reading, Language and Cognition from the University of York, and her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychopathology from the University of Manchester. She completed postdoctoral training at the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment and UNC Chapel Hill. In her spare time, Clare can be found spending time with her family, reading non-academic books, and trying to squeeze in a Peloton ride.
Email: clare_harrop@med.unc.edu Twitter: clareharrop85 CV: ClareHarropCV
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Tyler McFayden is a T32 Postdoctoral Fellow with UNC’s Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities. She received her B.S. in Psychology and Education from Davidson College and her Ph.D. in Clinical and Developmental Psychology from Virginia Tech. Tyler’s research focuses on social communication and language in autistic youth; she works primarily on Dr. Harrop’s R01 studying sex and gender in autism. Outside of work, Tyler loves tending to her house plants, thrift shopping, and spending time with her son.
Email: tyler_mcfayden@med.unc.edu CV: TylerMcFaydenCV
Project Coordinators and Research Assistants
Maia Karpinsky is a post-baccalaureate research coordinator in the Harrop Lab. She graduated from Marquette University (May 2022, B.A. Psychology), where she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Aging, Imaging and Memory Lab (Dr. Kristy Nielson) and the CARE Lab for Youth Mental Health Equity (Dr. Lindsay Holly). Following graduation, Maia worked as a research assistant in various neuroscience and psychology labs at the University of Minnesota and worked clinically as a residential mental health counselor for adolescents. Maia plans to pursue a doctoral degree in Clinical or Developmental Psychology focusing on risk and protective factors for negative mental health outcomes & suicidal thoughts and behaviors that may be unique to autistic females. Outside of lab, Maia enjoys knitting, reading, drinking too much coffee, and playing with her dogs Isla and Wallace.
Email: karpinm@ad.unc.edu CV: MaiaKarpinskyCV
Kimberly Liles is a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the Harrop Lab. Kim graduated in May 2023 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Human Development and Family Science. During her final semester, she completed an internship at the Harrop Lab before transitioning to work in the lab over the summer. Kim plans on attending graduate school after gaining more experience in research related to neurodevelopmental disorders. Her current interests center around masking and the experiences of late-diagnosed autistic individuals, as well as the impact of sex and gender in relation to these. Outside of the lab, Kim enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction and listening to music.
Email: marieki@live.unc.edu
PhD Students
Orla Putnam is a third-year doctoral student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at UNC and a current LEND trainee. Orla earned a BS in Human Development at the University of California San Diego, where she worked at the UCSD Autism Center studying sex differences using eye-tracking. Orla’s current studies focus on the experiences of autistic women and language use in autistic children. She is particularly interested in masking, communication, and neurodiversity. In her free time, Orla enjoys knitting, reading, and playing with her dog, Lacey.
Email: orla_putnam@med.unc.edu Twitter: @OrlaPutnam CV: OrlaPutnamCV Website: http://orlaputnam.com
Alison (Sonny) Russell is a first-year doctoral student in the Developmental Psychology program at UNC Chapel Hill. Sonny earned a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior at Vassar College and then spent 3 years post-bacc at Dr. Julia Parish-Morris’ Social Attention and Language Lab. Sonny primarily supports the Harrop Lab’s study focused on sex, gender, and camouflaging in autism. She is particularly interested in anti-ableism, supporting queer and gender-diverse autistic individuals, and equitable access to autism services across lifespan. In her free time, Sonny enjoys crocheting, wrestling yarn away from her cat Pigpen, and boxing.
Email: asruss@unc.edu CV: AlisonRussellCV
Mags McAllister is a first-year doctoral student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at UNC and a Royster Fellow. Mags is a double Tarheel and earned her BA in Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC before working on a study of early detection and diagnosis at Duke’s Center for Autism and Brain Development. She also spent two years working on neuroimaging studies on cognition across the lifespan in Duke’s Neurology Department. Mags’ current studies focus is the personal and communicative functions of echolalia and repetitive behaviors for autistic individuals. Mags enjoys backpacking, kayaking, and playing with her water-phobic dog, Maya!
Email: margaret_mcallister@med.unc.edu
Master’s Students
Mary Kathryn Phelps is a first-year master’s student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at UNC. Mary Kathryn is from just outside of Memphis, Tennessee and received her B.A. in Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is particularly interested in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other learning disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, cooking, going to coffee shops, and hanging out with friends.
Taylor McHugh is currently a first-year master’s student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at UNC. She is originally from Massachusetts and graduated from Loyola University of Maryland in 2023 with her B.A. in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. Taylor takes a clinical interest in dysphagia and neurological disorders, working with both pediatrics and geriatrics. In her free time, Taylor loves to run and exercise, cook, and travel new places with family and friends!
Skylar Scearce is a first-year master’s student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at UNC. Originally from Apex, North Carolina, Skylar graduated in 2024 from UNC-Greensboro with a B.S. with honors in Speech Pathology and a B.A in Religious Studies. Skylar is interested in voice and fluency disorders, as well as gender-affirming vocal training. During her time at UNC-Greensboro, she conducted a literature review on vocal training for gender-diverse clients which she will present at the American Speech and Hearing Association’s National Convention this December. Outside of academics, Skylar enjoys teaching horseback riding lessons, thrifting, and trying new coffee shops.
Allyse Longrie is a first-year master’s student in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at UNC. Allyse is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and received a B.S. in Nutrition Sciences and a B.A. in English Linguistics from North Carolina State University. Her clinical interests include pediatric dysphagia and speech disorders. In her free time, Allyse enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Sabella Hubler is a senior from Pinehurst, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on child and family health. Following graduation, she plans to attend nursing school with the goal of becoming a pediatric nurse practicioner. In her free time, Sabella enjoys running, traveling, trying out new coffee shops, and spending time with family and friends.
Email: shubler@unc.edu
Lizbeth De La Fuente Gonzalez is a Senior from Durham, North Carolina. She is pursing a Bachelor Degree in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Child and Family Health. After graduation she plans to apply to Graduate School for a Master of Public Health. During her free time, Lizbeth enjoys listening to music, thrifting, volunteering and hanging out with her friends and family.
Email: lde-la-fuente-gonzalez@unc.edu
Jackson Peden is a Senior from Brentwood, Tennessee. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in both Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry. After undergrad, he plans on attending medical school. In his free time, Jackson enjoys running, trying a new recipe, and reading a good thriller/historical fiction novel.
Email: jpeden@unc.edu
Cecelia Young is a Sophomore from Black Mountain, North Carolina. She is currently pursing a bachelors degree in human development and family science. Cecelia ultimately hopes to work as a therapist specializing in disordered eating. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, and cooking.
Email: cayongg@unc.edu
Tara Cooleen is a freshman from Winston Salem, NC pursuing a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience. After graduating, she plans to apply to medical school to become an emergency medicine physician. In her free time, Tara enjoys hiking, spending time at the beach, reading, and babysitting.
Email: cooleen@unc.edu
Amelia Coates is a freshman from Boston, MA currently pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies. She is the recipient of the Joseph E. and Grace Needham Pogue Scholarship, which honors students who work for the cause of greater diversity and understanding at UNC. After graduating, she hopes to become a Physician Assistant and work with underserved and underrepresented populations.
Email: ameliaec@unc.edu
Sarah Cao is a freshman from Beijing, China pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Statistics and Analytics. She is interested in how gender differences influence neurodevelopmental disorders and plans to pursue graduate school after undergrad. In her free time, Sarah enjoys going to cafes, thrifting, and reading.
Email: sarahhc@unc.edu
Katie Gowan is a junior from Charlotte, NC, pursuing her B.S. in Public Health, majoring in Nutrition on the Nutrition, Health, and Society track. Following graduation, she plans to attend school to become a pediatric occupational therapist. In her free time, Katie enjoys cooking/baking, spending time with friends, and being outside.
Email: kgowan@unc.edu
Akiah Schoenhoff is a sophomore from Miami, Florida. She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Biology. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, she plans on applying to medical school to become a child psychiatrist. In her free time, Akiah enjoys getting tan at the beach, going to the gym, and serving on the host team at church on Sundays.
Email: akiah@email.unc.edu
Lucy Tomforde is a Freshman from Cary, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. After graduating she plans to attend graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, thrifting and hanging out with friends and family.
Email: tomforde@unc.edu
Abbigail Waycaster is a Senior from Asheville, North Carolina. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She is interested in gender differences in autism, early identification, and support for adults on the autism spectrum. After graduating, she plans to attend graduate school. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, going to cafes, and reading.
Email: asway@unc.edu
Arshia Pal is a junior from Weddington, North Carolina pursuing a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Health and Society. She is working towards destigmatizing mental health in her community through her involvement in health-related organizations. Arshia is working towards a career in medicine. She enjoys baking, playing with her dog, and spending time with friends.
Email: arshiap@unc.edu
Lab Alum