About Us
Lab Personnel
- Piano training for Patients Undergoing Treatment for Cancer (Cancer)
- Children's Music Training Studies on Cognition (Child)
- Effects of Jsax on Respiration and Cognition (J Sax)
- Cognition and Coordination Throughout the Lifespan in Music (CALM)
Piano training for Patients Undergoing Treatment for Cancer
Lucas Lee (Cancer)
Lucas Lee is a second-year Honors student studying Biomedical Sciences and Music Studies in the hopes of becoming a physician. His passions for medicine and music has led him to partake in the CALM Lab: he primarily works in the Cancer Study, which investigates the cognitive and psychosocial effects of piano training on cancer patients. At Moffitt Cancer Center, Lucas volunteers as a Comfort Companion, providing solace to patients approaching the end of life through meaningful conversations and soothing music. Lucas currently studies violin with Dr. Carolyn Stuart and enjoys playing piano on the side. He is a member of the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Symphony Orchestra and teaches violin/piano lessons at Excel Music School. Additionally, Lucas enjoys leading the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Chinese Culture and Language Club and Pickleball Club as a way of becoming more active in the school community.
Shaaron Devanand (Cancer)
Shaaron Devanand, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Sciences, is pursuing the pre-med track with the goal of specializing as a pediatric neurologist. Shaaron dedicates her time as a volunteer at Moffitt in the hematology clinic and contributes to the Cognition and Coordination Across the Lifespan in Music (CALM) Study at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. In addition to her academic pursuits, she holds the position of vice president in the neuroscience student organization, takes on the role of decorations chair for ASIA (Asian students in America),trains as a Taekwondo athlete, and is an active member of Bulls Nakhra, a competitive Bollywood dance team for Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. Beyond her dedication to medicine, Shaaron holds 15 years of training in various dance styles and 6 years of experience in Carnatic singing.
Pranav Kanthala (CALM and Cancer)
Pranav Kanthala is a second-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences. He aspires to be a physician, interested in the fields of cardiology and ophthalmology. He is a member of the medical fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon. Furthermore, Pranav is involved with multiple student organizations on campus and currently holds the positions of Fundraising Chair for the Asian Students in America (ASiA) and the Volunteering Director for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE). He also volunteers in the oncology department of Advent Health. Pranav is involved in the CALM Study and the Cancer Study.
Kadence Relente (Cancer)
Kadence Relente is a third-year Honors student majoring in Biomedical Sciences who is pursuing the pre-medical track to eventually become a physician. She is the current Vice President Internal for Asian Students in America (ASiA) and serves on the Marketing Committee for the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. Kadence is also a Patient Assistant Liaison at the Baycare Wesley Chapel Hospital Emergency Department. Kadence comes from a choral background where she participated in various treble/show choirs for 5 years, such as the Hillsborough All-County Chorus, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and Lumina Youth Choirs (LYC) as an alto and soprano. Most notably, she has performed alongside LYC and the Florida Orchestra in the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and Mahaffey Theater for their annual Holiday Pops concerts and the National Anthem for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Children's Music Training Studies on Cognition
Samarth Kasibhatla (Child/ EEG Person)
I am an upcoming freshman at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV with aspirations of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon. I will be attending the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV as a Biomedical Sciences major in the 7-year BS/MD track, continuing to pursue my passion for medicine. Outside of my academic pursuits, I have over 10 years of experience as a professional Indian Classical Percussion musician, specializing in instruments like the mridangam, kanjira, tabla, and ghatam. In addition to music, I am passionate about sports, and enjoy playing tennis, basketball, and volleyball.
Faith Nwosu (Child Study project Coordinator)
Faith Nwosu is a third-year undergraduate student at the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV, dual majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Information Science (with a concentration in Health Informatics). She is currently on the pre-med track and aspires to become a psychiatrist in the future. As the Study Coordinator of the CALM lab’s Child Study project, she is examining how a music and visual arts camp can impact the executive functions of children aged 8-12, and the parental perceptions of children’s executive functions.
Kya Laubisch (Child)
Kya Laubisch is a first-year Philosophy and Pre-Med student at the University of South Florida, with aspirations of pursuing a career in pediatric care. Alongside her academic pursuits, Kya has been playing the violin for twelve years and is actively involved in the swim team. She is passionate about exploring the intersection between music and medicine. Through research with Dr. Bugos, Kya aims to investigate how music can further contribute to medical care.
Olivia Shenouda (CALM and Child Study)
Olivia Shenouda is an undergraduate student at the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies with a concentration in Piano Performance. Alongside her passion for music, she is also following a pre-medical track with aspirations of becoming a physician. Olivia has a particular interest in neurology, psychiatry, general surgery, and cardiology. Having played the piano since the age of seven, she volunteers her musical talents to support lab research, including a study that explores the impact of Music and Visual Art Training on Cognitive Performance in Children. As a member of the research team, she aims to deepen her understanding of how the arts influence the human brain.
Steven Nguyen (Child)
Steven Nguyen is a third-year student dual majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Anthropology with a minor in Psychology. He is on the pre-medical track working to pursue a career as a physician. Steven is the current Vice President External and former Treasurer of the Vietnamese Student Association at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. He is also a medical assistant/medical scribe at Heart Vascular and Vein of Tampa Bay. Steven also volunteers in the Emergency Department at HCA Brandon Hospital as well as with LearnToBe, which is a free tutoring platform for underserved students across the US. Since secondary school, Steven has been trained in violin and viola and has experience in chamber groups and the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. In his free time, Steven enjoys cooking, trying new foods, and volunteering within the Vietnamese community. Through joining Dr. Bugos’ research lab, Steven intends on exploring the impact of music training as a form of intervention in the deterioration of cognitive functions.
Gustavo Rangel Almirall (Child)
Gustavo Rangel Almirall is a Psychology and Philosophy major at the University of South Florida. He is pursuing a career in psychological services that includes music as part of the process. Gustavo is originally from Brazil and has been around music his whole life, playing piano, guitar, and percussion. He has formed rock bands and conducted marching and concert bands. By joining Dr. Bugos’s lab, he hopes to learn music’s undiscovered power and how it can be integrated into psychological services. In his free time, Gustavo enjoys writing, exercising, eating, and learning about engines.
Effects of Jsax on Respiration and Cognition
Kayla Brown (J Sax)
Kayla Brown is a third-year student majoring in Music Education and Pre-Law. Kayla is studying to be a Music Entertainment Lawyer and a private lessons teacher for saxophone. She is the winner of the 2021 International Teen Talent Competition for the woodwind category. She was awarded the Virginia Bridges Award for Excellence in Music Education in 2024 at the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. Additionally, she currently teaches private lessons for saxophone and gigs in the Tampa area in her free time. She is involved in the lab’s Saxophone Respiration Study, which examines the impact of wind instruments on respiratory development in individuals who have had COVID-19.
Isais Martinez (Med Students—J Sax)
Isaias, a Tampa native, earned dual degrees in Biomedical Sciences (BS) and Music Studies (BA) from the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV. He is now an MD candidate (2028) at Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV's Morsani College of Medicine, driven by a passion to humanize medicine and improve health accessibility. Outside of his studies, Isaias enjoys playing the trumpet, watching football (soccer), and spending time with his family and friends.
Cognition and Coordination Throughout the Lifespan in Music
Olivia Shenouda (CALM and Child Study)
Olivia Shenouda is an undergraduate student at the Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies with a concentration in Piano Performance. Alongside her passion for music, she is also following a pre-medical track with aspirations of becoming a physician. Olivia has a particular interest in neurology, psychiatry, general surgery, and cardiology. Having played the piano since the age of seven, she volunteers her musical talents to support lab research, including a study that explores the impact of Music and Visual Art Training on Cognitive Performance in Children. As a member of the research team, she aims to deepen her understanding of how the arts influence the human brain.
Pranav Kanthala (CALM and Cancer)
Pranav Kanthala is a second-year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences. He aspires to be a physician, interested in the fields of cardiology and ophthalmology. He is a member of the medical fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon. Furthermore, Pranav is involved with multiple student organizations on campus and currently holds the positions of Fundraising Chair for the Asian Students in America (ASiA) and the Volunteering Director for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE). He also volunteers in the oncology department of Advent Health. Pranav is involved in the CALM Study and the Cancer Study.