About Us

Our mission is to empower caregivers through innovative, research-informed tools that improve the emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of older adults living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).

We utilize an evidence-based approach that blends emotional and cognitive responses with medical insight to explore the healing potential of non-pharmacological interventions. Our research focuses on how strategies centered around music and social engagement can help reduce symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, and isolation.

Our work includes several ongoing research initiatives:

The Visually Assisted Music Learning (VAMML) study explores how curated music playlists and visual stimuli can reduce behavioral symptoms and promote social interaction in memory care facilities.

Our Music to Support Engagement and Resilience (MUSER) project uses a personalized music app designed to support individuals with dementia at home while improving caregivers’ mental health.

Through Read2Connect, we assess how social reading sessions can nurture connection and reduce agitation among residents in long-term care.

At PAL, we believe that aging with dignity and joy is possible. By blending research with compassion, we work to develop accessible programs and resources that enhance the holistic well-being and individuality of those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementi

Meet the Team

Meet The Team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Hongdao Meng, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D.

Dr. Hongdao Meng studies integrative health care interventions, leveraging his expertise in medicine, public health, and health economics to improve clinical and community outcomes.

Lab Manager

Giana Suarez

Giana Suarez graduated with her B.S in Psychology from FSU. She is currently a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Gerontology program. Her research interests focus on aging, cognition, and the psychological and physical factors that influence quality of life in older adults.

PhD Student

Chirantana Dayanandaswamy

Chirantana Dayanandaswamy graduated with her B.S in Biomedical Sciences from USF. She is currently a PhD Student in the department of Aging Studies. She joined the lab because the non-pharmacological interventions for dementia piqued her interest.

Lead Research Assistants

Support Specialist

Tanjina Jalil

Tanjina Jalil recently earned her Master’s in Gerontology and aspires to pursue an MD/PhD, with a research focus on successful aging.

Chart Review Specialist

Ying Min Tan

Ying Min Tan is a Cell and Molecular Biology major with a minor in Aging Sciences, aspiring to become a pharmacist. She joined the Positive Aging Lab to gain hands-on research experience and make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of the aging population.

Lead Research Assistant (MUSER Team)

Sofia Figueroa

Sofia is the lead research assistant for the MUSER team

Lead Research Assistant (Data Team)

Roy Chen

Roy Chen is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Sciences. He is passionate about enhancing the well-being of older adults through a biopsychosocial approach, integrating biological, psychological, and social factors to improve their quality of life.

Lead Research Assistant (Facilitation Team)

Alaina Chacko

Alaina Chacko, a biomedical sciences major on the Pre-Med track, joined the Positive Aging Lab to help improve care for older adults with dementia. She aims to become a physician focused on reducing healthcare disparities, especially for women of color.

Lead Research Assistant (Behavioral Coding & Website Team)

Victoria Figueroa

Victoria Figueroa, a senior studying biology and psychology, aims to become a neuropsychologist. She joined the lab to gain experience and contribute to research that supports the well-being of older adults, driven by her passion for aging, mental health, and patient care.

Lead Research Assistant (Playlist Team)

Anastasia Crider

Anastasia is a junior Biomedical Sciences major with a minor in Deaf Studies. She joined PAL due to it allowing her direct interaction with Alzheimer’s and related dementia disorders patients in a way that would allow facilitations of beneficial positive social interactions as well as her own personal music taste aligning with many of the audio stimuli used in the VAMML study.

Volunteer Research Assistants

Aleena Santhosh, Alejandro Laureano Rodriguez, Allison Bollow, Amelia Calderon, Ana Luiza Macedo, Anastasia Pargoe, A'Niya Jackson, Ariel Perry, Asmitha Darapaneni, Avery Moriyasu, Callie Brown, Ciara Calderon, Constanza Bravo Rodriguez, Duc Nathan Le, Dylan Victor, Emmanuel Ajayi, Isabella Piccolo, Jade Coslop, Lilly Chudyk, Makenzie Estabrook, Manasa Jaishankar, Mohini Sharma, Moriah Lee, Nadia Rohani, Naissa Esperance, Natalie Vacanti, Peterson Melidor, Pranali Patel, Rebecca Swatsburg, Sara Mansoor, Ty Tokarz