Visiting Scholar Program Awardee 2025 – Elizabeth Pearson

Posted On:  01-27-2025

The Music4Pain Research Network is pleased to announce Elizabeth (Lizzie) Pearson as the 2025 awardee of the Visiting Scholar Program.

Lizzie is a senior undergraduate music therapy student at Shenandoah University, pursuing a flute performance certificate and minors in psychology, film production, and piano performance. Lizzie’s academic and research background includes work with clients in rehabilitative, hospital, behavioral health, hospice, Telehealth, and community settings. Their research focuses on the intersection of critical consciousness, mental health, and international music therapy practices, with current studies exploring the clinical application of documentary film in music therapy, LGBTQ+ and queer musicking in international contexts, and the impact of music on individuals experiencing chronic pain.

As part of the program, Lizzie will join the Roy Pain Lab at McGill University, where they will contribute to research on the neural mechanisms underlying music’s effects on pain perception. Their work will align with the Music4Pain Research Network’s mission to advance mechanistic understanding of music for pain management.