Gabriella Musacchia

Dr. Gabriella Musacchia is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of the Department of Audiology at the University of the Pacific since 2015. She enhances learning through augmented reality and patient simulation while researching auditory processing and neuroplasticity.

Education:

• PhD, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University (2008)
• BA, Psychobiology, UC Santa Cruz (2000)
• AS, Biology, City College of San Francisco (1996)

Her research centers on auditory processing, neuroplasticity, pediatric audiology, and music. Using EEG, ABR, and FFR methodologies, she investigates speech-music interactions and infant language development. As co-director of the Auditory Electrophysiology Lab, she collaborates with Stanford University on bilirubin neurotoxicity in newborns.

Recent publications emphasize technology-enhanced audiology education (augmented reality, virtual simulation) and neural mechanisms of auditory processing across musicians, infants, and clinical populations. Key themes include infant language acquisition, music training effects, and auditory assessment innovations.

Dr. Musacchia mentors students through diverse teaching modalities including traditional lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and self-paced assignments. The text does not specify research grants or formal student advising relationships.

She co-directs the Auditory Electrophysiology Lab with Dr. Jiong "Joe" Hu and maintains active collaborations with Stanford University on newborn auditory research.