Malinda J. McPherson, 23, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from Johns Hopkins University, and an MPhil in Music and Science from the University of Cambridge. At Cambridge, Malinda was a member of Churchill College, and was a Churchill Scholar. Malinda is currently a PhD student in the Harvard/MIT Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, where she is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Her research interests include pitch perception, the neural basis of creativity, rhythmic coordination, and emotion. In her free time, Malinda enjoys playing viola, rock climbing, hiking, and cooking. As part of MIT Music and Theater Arts Malinda has participated in the MIT Chamber Music Society and performed Chausson's Piano Quartet, Op. 30 with an ensemble coached by Institute Professor Marcus Thompson. 

Her research was just published in Nature.

How Emotions Change the Way Musicians' Brains Work

Emotional Intent Modulates The Neural Substrates of Creativity

Jazz in the key of life

Saxophonist Miguel Zenón, a Grammy-winning MIT faculty member, creates a distinctive blend of jazz and traditional Puerto Rican music.

Bringing the stage to the classroom

21T.100 (Theater Arts Production) gathers MIT students, faculty, staff, and other professionals to produce feature-length performances.

Keeril Makan named vice provost for the arts

An acclaimed composer and longtime MIT faculty member, Makan will direct the next act in MIT’s story of artistic leadership.