About the Presenters
Jessica Klusek
Jessica Klusek, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Klusek received her doctorate in speech and hearing sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She followed her doctoral training with an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellowship in psychology at the University of South Carolina, where she completed interdisciplinary training in physiology, psychology, and genetics. Dr. Klusek is also a certified speech-language pathologist. Dr. Klusek also serves as an advisor in the NFXF’s Research Readiness Program.
Lauren Jenner
Lauren Jenner completed her master’s at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, under the supervision of Dr. Joanna Moss and Prof. Emily Farran. Her research focused on social cognition and autism in genetic syndromes, particularly among children and adolescents with Down syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
After her master’s, Lauren continued her work with Dr. Moss as a research associate, contributing to a project on the social-emotional well-being of women with the Fragile X premutation. She also worked on an impact project that provides online training for education practitioners to support the distinct needs of children with genetic syndromes at school.
Lauren’s research interests are currently centered on raising awareness and understanding of autism and related conditions in populations with intellectual disabilities and genetic conditions. She advocates including these often marginalized and overlooked groups in research, promoting more accessible and sensitive methods (such as eye-tracking technology). Her overarching goal is to contribute to a broader understanding of neurodivergence that embraces and supports all people.
Audra Sterling
Audra Sterling, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a researcher at the Waisman Center in Madison, Wisconsin. She specializes in language and cognitive development in individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities, with a particular focus on Fragile X syndrome (FXS), autism spectrum disorder, and Down syndrome.
Marcae Robertson
Marcae Robertson, PhD Candidate, is a doctoral researcher pursuing a PhD in Special Education. Her dissertation explores the lived experiences of women with Fragile X syndrome in postsecondary education, highlighting the supports, barriers, and experiences that shape their educational journeys. As a mother of two daughters with FXS, she also brings a personal connection to the Fragile X community and a strong interest in improving opportunities and support for individuals with FXS.
