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)!