NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative Welcomes Dr. Emmeline Edwards as Director of Research
We are honored and excited to announce the addition of Dr. Emmeline Edwards, a pioneering leader in the neuroarts field, to our team as the inaugural Director of Research for the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative. Dr. Edwards will oversee the development of Global Research Strategy for the NeuroArts Blueprint, manage the Renee Fleming Neuroarts Investigator Awards program, and work with the initiative’s Scientific Advisory Board to guide other signature research-related and evidence-based programs.
“Dr. Edwards’ vision, leadership, and pioneering work embody the very heart of neuroarts: using the arts as a powerful, evidence-based tool to transform health and well-being. We are honored to have her with us and excited for the expertise and inspiration she brings to this growing field,” said Susan Magsamen, Co-Director of the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative.
As Director of the Division of Extramural Research at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at NIH, Dr. Edwards planned, developed, and implemented scientific programs that advanced NCCIH’s mission: to define, through rigorous research, the safety and impact of complementary and integrative health interventions. NCCIH is one of the 27 institutes and centers that make up NIH and, under her leadership, the field gained significant traction.
Among her groundbreaking contributions, Dr. Edwards spearheaded the development and release of the NIH Music-Based Intervention (MBI) Toolkit, a landmark resource for advancing research and practice. She also served as a member of the interdisciplinary expert panel that updated and released the Music-Based Reporting Guidelines, ensuring stronger rigor and reproducibility across the field.
Dr. Edwards earned her Ph.D in Neurochemistry from Fordham University and conducted postdoctoral research in behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience at SUNY Stony Brook. She went on to become a tenured Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Maryland, where her work focused on the neural mechanisms of complex behaviors and the genetic basis of affective disorders.
Dr. Edwards has also played a pivotal role in advancing music and health research at the highest levels. She served on the Sound Health Executive Committee, is a member of the trans-NIH Music and Health Working Group, and has been an advisor to the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative since its inception. Beyond her scientific leadership, she champions equity and mentorship as Chair of World Women in Neuroscience, a global organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women neuroscientists.
