The NeuroDance Lab
Our mission is to explore questions surrounding how dance and arts can help improve health throughout the lifespan, while training the next generation of dance science researchers.
Recent News
Natalie Green presents her research on matching movement to sound at the WashU Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Lexy Sokolowski presents thesis research using HD-DOT technology to explore the brain mechanisms of human versus AI-generated movement.
Allison O’Bara presents thesis research exploring the kinematics of improvised movement in real-time.
Current Students
Zoe Carter
Undergraduate ResearcherZoe is a senior at Washington University in St. Louis, studying Biomedical Engineering and Dance. They are interested in studying the differences in movement accuracy between the dominant and non-dominant foot. Outside of academics, Zoe enjoys playing the saxophone and sewing.
Natalie Green
Undergraduate ResearcherNatalie is a senior studying cognitive neuroscience and dance. She is a jazz vocalist, dancer, and scientist with a strong interest in how perception shapes the ways we experience and interact with art. For her senior thesis, she is conducting a research project on vocally cued movement alongside a performance piece. Together, these projects reflect her commitment to interdisciplinary thinking and have deepened her understanding of the connections between art and neuroscience.
Anne Crum
Undergraduate Researcher
Anne is a sophomore studying Data Science and Dance with a minor in Spanish. She is from a suburb of Chicago, IL, and has been involved in dance-focused research at WashU since January 2025. Anne is interested in the intersection between data and dance, specifically the use of technology to efficiently produce and explore kinematic and kinetic data. Beyond academics, she enjoys baking, Pilates, and spending time with friends.
Becca Karon
Undergraduate ResearcherBecca is Biology (Neuroscience) major in the class of 2028. She has grown up dancing since she was 4 in a variety of different learning environments, including now at WashU. Her research interests include a variety of movement science topics, including the implications of dance as intervention for neurodegenerative disease.
Liza Birov
Undergraduate Researcher
Liza is a senior studying philosophy–neuroscience–psychology and dance on the pre-medical track. She is from Los Angeles, California, and plans to return there for a year before starting medical school. Since her sophomore year, Liza has been involved in research with a Parkinson’s disease patient population and hopes to continue this work after graduating. Outside of academics, she loves dancing, cooking, spending time with friends, and trying new restaurants.
Lena Stern
Undergraduate ResearcherLena is a sophomore at WashU in St. Louis, majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences and minoring in both Music and Entrepreneurship. Her primary research interest is the intersection of music and health, and more specifically how singing affects gait in individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of academics, Lena enjoys reading memoirs, trying new recipes, and playing the flute.
Saidie Dolman
Undergraduate ResearcherSaidie is a senior from NYC majoring in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Philosophy with minors in Dance and French. She is fascinated by how environmental factors throughout childhood and adolescence shape our behaviors and personalities, and how artistic interventions can be woven into therapeutic approaches. Her senior honors thesis investigates the role of dance training environments in fostering adaptive versus maladaptive perfectionism, inspired by her own background as a ballet dancer and a desire to make dance a happier, healthier space. Outside of academics, Saidie plans to continue dancing for joy, has a deep love of cooking, and dreams of opening a café with her dad someday.
Liz Lloyd
Graduate ResearcherLiz is a first-year MFA candidate in Dance at Washington University in St. Louis researching reflective and student-centered ballet pedagogy. Originally from North Carolina, she danced professionally for ten years and has taught ballet for over a decade. She also served as Saint Louis Ballet's Company Manager from 2023-2025. Lloyd earned her BS from Washington University in St Louis and was the recipient of the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her fiancé, playing (bad) tennis, and trying new Saint Louis restaurants.
Alumni
Lexy Sokolowski
Lexy Sokolowski graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2025 double majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. In WashU's Eggebrecht Lab, she worked on HD-DOT/fNIRS studies of motor imitation and social interaction. As a lifelong dancer, her honors thesis with Dr. Harrison examined human–AI collaboration in choreography, combining fNIRS wearable neuroimaging and qualitative studies to investigate how dancers perceive AI-generated movement. She is now pursuing a PhD at Northwestern University's Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, studying motor systems, brain-computer interfaces, and AI-driven approaches to motor rehabilitation.