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.
Low-intensity Focused Ultrasound Research
A group of studies to learn more about the body's reponses to stress and the effects on it of low-intensity focused ultrasound.
Chronic Pain Research
A study to investigate the effects of low-intensity focused ultrasound on pain management.
PTSD Research
A study of the effects of transcranial magentic stimulation on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Fibromyalgia Research
A study to examine the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on chronic pain.
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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Kathryn Painchaud , bioResearch Assistant
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Aditya Kapoor , bioResearch Assistant
Postdoctoral Associates
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Saman Gholipour Picha, Ph.D. , bioPostdoctoral Associate
Graduate and Medical Students
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Ceren Cengiz , bioGraduate Student, Mechanical Engineering
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Alex In , bioMedical Student, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine '26
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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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Mihir Pewekar , bioGraduate Student, Mechanical Engineering
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Arthi Prabhakar , 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
- Caroline Barry, Clinical Neuroscience
- Sydney Groves, Computational Neuroscience & Biomedical Engineering
- Ainsley Hetherington, Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
- Annrose Joshua, Biomedical Engineering
- Huzefa Lashkeri, Clinical Neuroscience
- Hugo Liu, Neuroscience
- Jhanak Lodwal, Clinical Neuroscience
- Chloe Musman, Biology
- Caitlyn Respass, Psychology, Hollins University
- Aaron Selvanayagam, Neuroscience
High School Student Volunteers
- Gabrielle Harig
- Mihir Nimkar
Past Student Volunteers
- Charan Narra, Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, 2025
- Areej Ennasr, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, 2025
- Serina Ahmed, Clinical Neuroscience, 2025
- Sriya Surapaneni, Biomedical Engineering, 2025
- Aditya Kapoor, Clinical Neuroscience, 2025
- Claire Wildermann, SURF-N, 2024
- Cassidy Henderson, Neuro-SURF, 2024
- Jake Moore, CHBR-SURF, 2024
- Annie Wells, Neuroscience, 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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Go behind the scenes of brain research at the 12th annual Brain School , article Date: Mar 05, 2025 - -
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'Pocket Science' podcast: What if sound could heal? , article Date: Mar 05, 2025 - -
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2025 Seale Innovation Fund grants fuel health innovation , article Date: Feb 25, 2025 -
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Article ItemAligning medicine, policy, and innovation: M.D.+Ph.D student named Society for Neuroscience Policy ambassador , article
Policy ambassadors are chosen based on their commitment to scientific advocacy and leadership.
Date: Mar 06, 2024 - -
Article Item11th annual Brain School digs into mysteries of the brain, emerging science behind weight-loss drugs , article
Researchers invite the community to the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute to share in their passion for science during an interactive brain awareness event, including presentations and panel discussion on “The Craving Brain: Food and Drugs.”
Date: Mar 01, 2024 - -
Article ItemLow-intensity ultrasound shows promise as a noninvasive approach to alleviate pain , article
In a Journal of Neuroscience study, Virginia Tech scientists demonstrated the effectiveness of using low-intensity focused ultrasound to modulate activity in a critical region in the brain that processes and regulates pain signals.
Date: Feb 19, 2024 - -
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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Redirect ItemFox 5 D.C.: The Power of Sound , redirect Date: Feb 25, 2025 -
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Redirect ItemMedscape: The 'Enormous' Promise of Focused Ultrasound Now Coming True , redirect Date: Oct 11, 2024 -
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Redirect ItemThe Good Men Project: Ultrasound Aimed at the Brain Can Relieve Pain , redirect Date: Mar 03, 2024 -
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