Dr. Debra Burns is an expert in music-based intervention research, particularly in cancer care from treatment to end-of-life. She has collaborated on various NIH-funded studies, focusing on research methodology, music intervention components, control condition design, and treatment fidelity. Currently, she serves as the dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at the University of Memphis. Dr. Burns has a Ph.D. in music education and music therapy from the University of Kansas, a master's in music therapy from Illinois State University, and a bachelor's in music education from Glenville State College. With over 25 publications in journals like the Journal of Music Therapy and Supportive Care in Cancer, Dr. Burns is a prominent figure in her field. She has been a member of the American Music Therapy Association since 1989, specializing in the effectiveness of music interventions in cancer and hospice care through various research methods.