The Office of Human Subjects Protections (OHSP) is pleased to announce that Kaylee Ray, member of Dr. Roozbeh Behroozmand’s Speech Neuroscience Lab, has been selected as the recipient of the Summer 2025 HIVE Award!
Kaylee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Kaylee currently serves as the Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Manager for the Speech Neuroscience Lab. The lab investigates how brain damage affects speech and motor control, with the ultimate goal of gaining a deeper understanding of how such damage alters speech and language systems. Their research aims to identify specific neurological changes and explore how these changes influence a person’s ability to communicate. Presently, the team is exploring novel interventions and a variety of clinical assessments to uncover insights that could lead to more effective treatments for aphasia—a condition that affects the ability to communicate.
Before joining UTD, Kaylee worked in a variety of hospital settings, where she enjoyed working with her patients and getting to do things that “fed her soul.” Throughout this time, her daily interactions with patients left her with more curiosity about the different etiologies and outcomes of neurological disorders and she found herself wanting to delve further into the research realm. When she came across the opportunity to work in the Speech Neuroscience Lab, she felt as though the position was created just for her; she would still get to work directly with participants, conduct diagnostic sessions, and build meaningful relationships with participants over time. These were the very aspects she cherished most in her clinical work. Now, she also contributes to the research process by reviewing literature, collaborating with fellow researchers at UTD, and supporting various stages of research—from participant recruitment to ensuring regulatory compliance.
The pillars of the HIVE Award are clearly reflected in Kaylee’s interactions both within and beyond the lab. She consistently upholds exceptional ethical standards and embodies the principles of respect, integrity, and fairness in all human subjects research. Kaylee promotes transparency and accountability through open communication—not only within the lab but also with the participants she engages with. She plays a vital role in mentoring and educating new students and lab members on the ethical conduct of research, helping to cultivate a culture of responsibility and integrity.
Kaylee remains deeply inspired by the work being done in the Speech Neuroscience Lab. Many of the participants have experienced strokes on the left side of the brain, resulting in aphasia, and their resilience in recovery is, in her words, “nothing short of awe-inspiring.” Through these interactions, Kaylee has come to appreciate that “the impact of human subjects research extends far beyond the data and results.” She believes that participating in research can offer individuals a renewed sense of purpose—even when the study doesn’t lead to an immediate breakthrough. As she notes, “It’s incredibly meaningful to witness how participating in research can empower individuals—reminding them that their experiences matter and that they are helping create strategies and interventions that shape better outcomes for others.”
The Office of Human Subjects Protections proudly welcomes Kaylee Ray as a valued member of the HIVE!