Legon Lab
Led by principal investigator Wynn Legon, Ph.D., the Legon Lab studies the use of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). LIFU is an emerging form of noninvasive neuromodulation that uses mechanical energy to affect neuronal activity. The technology combines high spatial resolution with deep focal lengths providing unprecedented non-invasive access to the human brain. The enormous potential of low-intensity focused ultrasound stems from the ability to focus it through the intact skull to a millimeter-sized focal spot virtually anywhere in the brain. This makes it a powerful alternative to both invasive neurosurgical procedures and other non-invasive brain stimulation techniques. The lab is currently focused on using LIFU neuromodulation to probe brain circuitry implicated in addiction and pain with the ultimate goal of developing treatments for addiction, but also developing methods of pain relief that reduce dependence on opioids. The lab also studies the basic science of why ultrasound affects neuronal activity and how variations in the application change it.
The Legon Lab is also accepting graduate students from Virginia Tech's Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health program and the School of Neuroscience graduate program. For more information, contact Dr. Legon.
Research Scientists
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Jennifer Legon , bioResearch Scientist
Research Associates and Assistants
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Jessica Florig , bioResearch Associate
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John Hanrahan , bioResearch Assistant
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Kathryn Painchaud , bioResearch Assistant
Graduate and Medical Students
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Areej Ennasr , bioMedical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine '25
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Alex In , bioMedical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine '25
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Gabriel Isaac , bioGraduate Student, Neuroscience
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Tara Menon , bioMedical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine '28
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Yunruo "Trista" Ni , bioGraduate Student, Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health
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Arthi Pradhakar , bioMedical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine '26
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Andrew Strohman , bioM.D.+Ph.D. Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine '24 and Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health
Undergraduate Student Volunteers
- Serina Ahmed, Clinical Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia Tech
- Caroline Barry, Clinical Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia Tech
- Aditya Kapoor, Clinical Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia Tech
- Charan Narra, Biochemistry, College of Science, Virginia Tech
- Caitlyn Respass, Psychology, Hollins University
- Aaron Selvanayagam, Neuroscience, College of Science, Virginia Tech
- Sriya Surapaneni, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Virginia Tech
Past Student Volunteers
- Claire Wildermann, SURF-N, 2024
- Cassidy Henderson, Neuro-SURF, 2024
- Jake Moore, CHBR-SURF, 2024
- Annie Wells, Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, 2024
- Elisabeth Tershak, Roanoke Governor's School, 2023-24
- Nathan Brennan, Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, 2023
- Hunter Dyche, Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, 2023
- Ronisha Upreti, Center for Health Behaviors Research High School Summer Research Program, 2023
- Elly Loyd, SURF-N , 2023
- Abigail Stiles, NeuroSURF, 2023
- Lily Anderson, Southwest Virginia Governor's School, 2023
- Sophie Perdue, Southwest Virginia Governor's School, 2023
- Megan James, ISE, Virginia Tech, 2022
- Basith Faizal, Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, 2022-23
- Samantha Hall, NeuroSURF, 2022
- Thomas Gregory, SURF-N, 2022
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Article ItemVirginia Tech scientist shows focused ultrasound can reach deep into the brain to relieve pain , article
A study by Wynn Legon, assistant professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, found that narrowly focused soundwaves aimed at an area of the brain called the insula reduced both the perception of pain and the body’s reaction to it.
Date: Feb 05, 2024 -
Article ItemTranslational biology, medicine, and health student studying focused ultrasound named first recipient of Jeanine L. Matte Fellowship , article
The gift prioritizes novel approaches to unsolved questions in neuroscience research.
Date: Nov 09, 2023 -
Article ItemFocused ultrasound veteran ready to make waves at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute , article
Jason Raymond has worked with focused ultrasound since the technology was just being developed. Now he’s joined Virginia Tech to help boost its already recognized work in the field.
Date: Oct 16, 2023 -
Article ItemFralin Biomedical Research Institute expands Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program , article
More than 30 undergraduate and high school students worked behind the curtain of biomedical research this summer at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.
Date: Aug 16, 2022 -
Article ItemNew Fralin Biomedical Research Institute faculty member to advance addiction, pain research with focused ultrasound , article
Wynn Legon, a neuroscientist and pioneer in the use of focused ultrasound, will continue advancing this technology when he joins the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC as an assistant professor on Sept. 1.
Date: Aug 09, 2021
Recent Media Coverage
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