From 2016-2018, Marisa partnered with the University of Kentucky Linguistics Department to perform new and exciting interdepartmental research as part of her doctoral dissertation. She worked in UK's Phonetics Lab with Dr. Kevin McGowan and designed an experiment to determine the effects of linguistics upon trumpet performance. The experiment used microphones and ultrasound equipment to compare participants' oral cavity shapes during speech and while playing a set of trumpet exercises. This project is ongoing, but the initial results from this first experiment can be viewed in Marisa’s doctoral dissertation. She has also presented this research at the 2021 International Trumpet Guild Conference and the 2019 University of Kentucky Summer Trumpet Institute.