Blythe Vickery

MS-CCC-SLP, CLC

Project Coordinator

Blythe is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist with three years of research experience spanning both her undergraduate and graduate tenures at the University of South Carolina. Blythe previously served as a research assistant in the Speech Perception Laboratory under then-faculty member, Dr. Daniel Fogerty. As a recipient of the 2020 ASHA SPARC award, Blythe completed graduate research culminating in a master’s thesis investigating factors affecting misperceptions in multi-talker babble in older adults both with and without hearing loss. Blythe is excited to expand her research base, her knowledge of Fragile X syndrome, and the individuals whom it affects while utilizing her clinical skills to further the mission of the SC Family Experiences Laboratory.

Zaynab Khan

Research Specialist

Zaynab graduated in 2022 from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She previously obtained a phlebotomy certification and has experience working as a medical scribe. She is interested in pursuing a career in genetic counseling. 

Nhi Ngo

Research Specialist

Nhi graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Neuroscience in May 2024. She has 2 years of previous research lab experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab under Dr. Jane Roberts and is currently developing her senior thesis studying implications of heart activity with parenting stress observed in mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome to a published journal. During her time as an undergraduate, she also served as a Supplemental Instruction Leader in Calculus and Chemistry and held leadership positions in the Genetics Club and Esports Club. Nhi is excited to delve deeper into the field of research and expand her experiences and understanding of individuals with Fragile X syndrome. She aims to pursue a Master’s in Genetic Counseling to become a genetic counselor with a passion for teaching and helping others.

Heather Petersen

Research Specialist

Heather graduated in 2025 from Lehigh University with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Anthropology.  She has over two years of previous research experience in the Lehigh Language Production Lab and Yale Phonetics Lab. She also wrote a senior anthropology honors thesis on multilingual students at Lehigh and their experiences of belonging/support within the university setting. She is interested in exploring speech-language pathology as a discipline and building on her psychological assessment skills.