Jennie Dorris, PhD, MM

Jennie Dorris, PhD, MM is a Research Scientist working in the Department of Occupational Therapy. She obtained her PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Her expertise lies in community-based music programs for adults with dementia. In addition to her skills in research, Dr. Dorris is a trained classical musician who performed professionally for 20 years. She is interested in developing and assessing music programs for older adults with dementia to support their emotional and social well-being. She has developed an intergenerational music program, Project Unmute, which is delivered by adolescent musicians to older adults with dementia and their care partners. Her future work is in adapting Project Unmute for different populations experiencing dementia (those in palliative care, those with Down syndrome) and conducting clinical trials to assess effects of the intervention on those living with dementia, their care partners, and the adolescent musicians.