Dr. Laura Mesite

Laura Mesite is an educational researcher and special educator with over ten years of experience conducting research related to language and literacy development. Laura earned Bachelor's of Arts degrees in Cognitive Science and Music from the University of Connecticut where she studied language development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the UConn Child Language Lab. Then she worked as a Research Assistant in the Language and Brain Lab studying the neural underpinnings of speech perception prior to supporting fMRI research on reading disabilities at Haskins Laboratories. She received a Master's of Education in Language and Literacy and a Doctorate of Education in Human Development and Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). During her graduate studies, Laura gained experience in applied educational research as a member of the B.E.E. and READS Labs. After working as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the BEAM Lab at MGH Institute of Health Professions, Laura earned a Certificate in Moderate Disabilities from Endicott College and worked as a middle-school Special Education Teacher for students with Language-Based Learning Disabilities in MA public schools. 

Laura enjoys developing evidence-based instructional materials for students with reading difficulties and is particularly interested in developing approaches to engage students with attentional/behavioral difficulties during reading instruction, drive growth among adolescents with dyslexia who are substantially below grade level in reading, and improve identification and instruction for multilingual students with learning disabilities. 

In her spare time, Laura plays horn with a variety of local ensembles including the Middlesex Concert Band and Melrose Symphony.