Center for Healthy Minds

Dalal Abu-Amneh is a neuroscientist, singer, healer, and activist. At the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, she is pioneering an exploration of the powerful intersections between music, neuroscience, spirituality, social identity, and well-being. Dalal’s research delves into how melodies and rhythms can profoundly influence emotions, cognition, and behavior at individual and group levels. She is investigating the transformative potential of community music therapy and crowd singing in reducing stress and fostering social cohesion. Her role at CHM is not only about fostering intellectual dialogue but also about breaking cultural barriers through the universal language of music, inspiring and motivating change.

With a strong background in neuroscience, including molecular and imaging research into neural systems in both health and disease, Dalal brings a unique perspective to the field. Internationally acclaimed as a Palestinian singer, she has spent over two decades preserving and performing Palestinian, Arabic, and Sufi musical traditions while creating her distinct spiritual and healing music style. One of her notable projects involves integrating the voices of Palestinian and Arabic grandmothers into her work, preserving cultural memory and elevating divine feminine wisdom.

Dalal’s work at CHM is poised to make a significant impact. It will center on her unique approach to healing and human flourishing, combining her expertise in neuroscience, music, and energy healing. This holistic method promises to be transformative, not only in advancing scientific understanding but also in offering new pathways for mental and emotional well-being. The potential impact of her work at CHM could resonate far beyond academia, touching individuals and communities in profound and lasting ways.