Susan has described being drawn to the interaction of art, creativity, health and well-being in the fourth grade, when she observed how painting helped her twin sister recover from a broken leg.

[8] Magsamen is married to Richard L. Huganir, Director of the Department of Neuroscience, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and co-director of the Brain Science Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

[14][12] Magsamen's Impact Thinking model studies how brain science and interdisciplinary research in the arts, architecture and music can be translated into better practice, or used to solve problems in health, well-being and learning.

[4][8] In April, 2019 Magsamen collaborated with Google executive Ivy Ross, Christian Grosen and Suchi Reddy to promote awareness of neuroaesthetics through an exhibit at the Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Using digital wristbands, it tracked visitors’ responses to three rooms whose furniture, lighting, artwork, music, scent and materials were designed to elicit different moods and sensory experiences.