Research Investigators and Faculty
Joanna (Jo) Culligan
Principal Investigator
Blacksburg, VA | Instructor, Human Development and Family Science
Drexel University | M.A., Music Therapy
Virginia Tech | B.A., Music Technology | B.S., Marketing Management
Email: joculligan@vt.edu | Faculty Page, LinkedIn
Jo Culligan is a parent, partner, music therapist, instructor, and researcher at Virginia Tech. As a collaborative and creative creature, she strives build connections between people. She specializes in working with persons who are experiencing dementia and their care-partners using evidence-based musical approaches through neurologic research discovery to improve their communication and engagement. As an instructor, Jo is passionate about breaking down stigmas associated with aging and hopes to create the next generation of gerontology enthusiasts.
Ila Schepisi
Co-Investigator, Consultant
Senior Instructor, Human Development and Family Science
Engagement Center for Creative Aging Director
Drew University | MTS, Seminary
Radford University | B.S., Recreation Parks & Tourism
Email: schepisi@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Ila is a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (in Geriatrics). She has 20 years of experience in dementia care and has been the Director of the Engagement Center for Creative Aging since 2012. Ila is passionate about offering strength-based integrative wellness programming for families navigating a journey with dementia and impacting the philosophy of geriatric care for the next generation of healthcare providers.
Tanner Upthegrove
Media Engineer and Technologist, Consultant
Virginia Tech | M.F.A. in Theatre
Full Sail University | B.S., Business | A.S., Recording Arts
Immersive Audio Specialist, Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT)
Email: upty@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Tanner Upthegrove thrives at the intersection of arts and technology as an Immersive Audio Specialist for Virginia Tech’s Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology. IMAGINE Lab is lucky to have Tanner onboard to help assist with wireless EEG networking technologies and design audiovisual/data processing systems.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Ellie Tyler
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Web Designer
Virginia Tech | B.S. Clinical Neuroscience; minor in National Security and Foreign Affairs
Email: elliemtyler@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Ellie is a student, undergraduate research assistant, and neuroscience ambassador at Virginia Tech. Outside of school, she is a piano teacher and has worked with diagnosed dementia patients to help them improve cognition and maintain motor function. Seeing music’s ability to be medicine first hand, Ellie joined the IMAGINE Lab to further explore the overlap between neuroscience and music. She also uses her role as an ambassador to advertise the work done by the lab and recruit interested students to join the team.
Rowena Gaughan
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech | B.S. Clinical Neuroscience; minors in Music Technology and Adaptive Brain and Behavior
Email: rowenag@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Rowena is a student at Virginia Tech studying neuroscience, music technology, and adaptive brain and behavior. She joined the IMAGINE Lab because it combined her passion for STEM and music. As someone who has family members with dementia, she has witnessed the ability music has to improve moods and bring back warm memories. Outside of school, Rowena enjoys exercising outside, composing music, playing piano, and traveling!
Hannah Campsie
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech | B.S. Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; minor in Adaptive Brain and Behavior
Email: hannahc03@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Hannah is an honors college student, undergraduate research assistant, certified nursing assistant, President of the Complement Club, and Vice President of the Red Cross Club at Virginia Tech. She grew up playing saxophone and has performed for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients at a memory care facility. She joined IMAGINE lab because she is passionate about health and medicine, and believes music can positively impact mental wellness.
Masoom Modi
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech | B.S. Clinical Neuroscience
Email: masoom29@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Masoom is a student, undergraduate research assistant, and teaching assistant at Virginia Tech. Masoom grew up playing piano and violin and wishes to further explore her love for music and neuroscience. She is fascinated by the cognitive effects of music therapy and is excited to see what the future holds for the IMAGINE lab! Masoom also enjoys playing volleyball, reading, and baking.
Violet Zaleski
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech | B.S. in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; minors in Chemistry and Adaptive Brain & Behavior
Email: violetz@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Violet is a Certified Nurse Aide at the Engagement Center for Creative Aging and works directly with people with Dementia. She is passionate about helping others and was captivated by the study at IMAGINE Lab. Violet joined the team to learn more about the neurological and behavioral effects of music therapy and has since helped with data collection during the academic year and summer. Violet likes crocheting, relaxing outside, lifting heavy weights, and has plans to attend Osteopathic Medical School after graduation.
Jordan DeBerry
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Virginia Tech | B.S. in Computational Neuroscience; minor in Music Technology
Email: jdeberry888@vt.edu | LinkedIn
Jordan is a student and undergraduate research assistant at Virginia Tech. His combined passion for neuroscience and music has drawn him to join the Imagine Lab. His areas of study have given him the opportunity to grow in his musicianship through a technological perspective and specialize in brain-computer interface applications. He strongly believes that music is an essential facilitator of human synchronicity and emotion that can transcend language barriers and neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. Outside of school, he spends his time teaching tennis, producing music, reading, and playing any musical instrument he can get his hands on (some better than others)!