Dr. Elizabeth Stegemöller is the lab director. She is a music therapist and neuroscientist. She joined Iowa State University in 2013 and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology. She is also the director of the Graduate Neuroscience Program at Iowa State University. Dr. Stegemöller’s main research focus is to determine how music and/or music therapy facilitates movement and modulates associated brain activity in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). She currently has multiple funded projects and has over 40 publications in her young career. Along with her research, Dr. Stegemöller offers several outreach programs for persons with PD, including weekly singing, dance, yoga, and boxing groups, and well as yearly events such as the PD Singing Festival. Dr. Stegemöller is very passionate about her work and hopes that through her research and outreach efforts, she can contribute to the development of new and innovated therapies involving music that improve the treatment and care of persons with Parkinson's Disease.
CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS
Andrew Zaman
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Andrew is a PhD student in Kinesiology and Psychology. His work focuses on understanding the effects of stress on cognitive and motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. He is a skilled yoga instructor and leads the yoga outreach program.
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Patricia Izbicki
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Patricia is a PhD student in Neuroscience. Her research focuses on understanding how music experience and training impact motor and cognitive inhibition in both young and healthy older adults. Patricia was a co-charing a symposium with Dr. Stegemoller on music and the brain at Society for Neuroscience, and was responsible for establishing the Ames Public Piano Project.
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Kasandra Diaz-Santana
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Kasandra Diaz is a PhD student in Neuroscience. Her research focuses on understanding how dopamine impacts peripheral inflammation in persons with PD. Kasandra is also an advocate for the multicultural community and is highly involved with the multicultural program at Iowa State University.
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Gabrielle Woods
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Gabrielle is a MS student in the Gerontology program. Her interest lie in improving self-care in caregivers of those with neurodegenerative diseases. Gabrielle is also the leader of the boxing and yoga outreach groups.
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Brandon Brockshus
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Brandon Brockshus is a MS student in Kinesiology at ISU and Recognized Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD) Actor/Combatant. Mr. Brockshus has served as fight choreographer for Iowa Stage Theater Company, Shot in the Dark Productions, Central College, and Iowa high schools. His research interests include methods of teaching stage combat and the effects of stage combat training and practice on aging populations. He lives in Stratford, Iowa with his wife, daughter, and son.
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Maranda
Rupalo |
Maranda is currently a MS student in Kinesiology at ISU. She is interested in perceived quality of life and independence in aging populations, especially those with PD. Her interest began through her experiences working as a CNA.
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