Kessler Foundation Disability Rehabilitation Research And Employment

A recent investigation has spurred two of our researchers to question how natural spaces influence the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities. Their recently published research – written with several co-authors – revealed an unexpected negative connection between psychological well-being and residential greenspace. Their research showed that people with spinal cord injuries living in neighborhoods with a low amount of open space were less likely to suffer from depression than those residing in neighborhoods with a moderate amount of open space. Our guests on this podcast – Lauren Murphy, PhD, and Amanda L. Botticello, PhD, MPH – were part of the research team. Both scientists work at the Centers for Spinal Cord Injury and Outcomes & Assessment Research at Kessler Foundation. Funding source: Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (grant numbers: 639798; 290518). Learn more about: Drs. Lauren Murphy at  https://kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/Lauren%20Murphy and Amanda L. Botticello, https://kesslerf

Imagine never holding a paint brush or working with a canvas, but after traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, becoming a master artist. Podcast host Jessica Ganga, communications and digital media coordinator at Kessler Foundation, spoke with Alder Crocker, who while on vacation in May 2018, broke his neck and instantly became 85% paralyzed. During rehab, after four brief art therapy sessions to help improve muscle memory, an artist was born. As soon as Alder had a brush in his hand, images and colors began to flood his consciousness. He later realized he had acquired savant syndrome, when extraordinary abilities suddenly and unexpectedly surface after a non-disabled individual suffers a traumatic brain injury or illness. Before his accident, Alder worked in marketing for 25 years, but was never a creative. He has been a volunteer in many of the Foundation’s research studies since his accident. Learn more about: Alder’s website - https://www.aldercrocker.com Kessler Foundation - https://KesslerFoundation.

As part of the "Research, Science, Innovation and Leadership" series, Steve Adubato and Mary Gamba talk with Helen Genova, PhD, Assistant Director, Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, about her important work with transition-aged youth with autism spectrum disorders. Watch the video at https://youtu.be/5HZcoQPVNjM #ResearchThatLeads Aired: 2/5/21 Used by permission: Steve Adubato's "Lessons in Leadership"

Rodger DeRose, president and CEO, Kessler Foundation, moderated a panel that discussed innovative technologies and digital accessible tools that narrow the employment gap for those with or without disabilities. This event took place during the United Nation’s 2021 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where the day’s focus was “Advancing Employment for Persons with Disabilities.” #IDPD #EveryoneIncluded Used by permission

Listen to Tara Buggie, brain injury survivor and advocate, present at our Winter BRAINSTORM 2022 virtual speakers event for individuals with brain injury, family and friends. Presented on Tuesday, January 27, 2022. View the presentation slides at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/Reclaiming%20Self%20after%20Brain%20Injury_%E2%80%8BHope%20for%20a%20New%20New%20Self-Tara%20Buggie_0.pdf This series is supported by Kessler Foundation, the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System, and by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Grant #90DPTB0003 Interested in joining a study? Go to https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/studies/traumatic-brain-injury

Fast Takes – Women In Science - Episode 36 Welcome to a Fast Takes #WomenInScience podcast honoring the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Celebrated on February 11th, this United Nations initiative recognizes the critical role of women and girls in science and technology communities and calls for strengthening of their participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Presently, just 30 percent of researchers are women, and only 35 percent of all students enrolled in STEM-related fields of study are women. At Kessler Foundation, we celebrate women and their achievements: 65 percent of our staff members are women making major contributions to the advances we achieve in rehabilitation research that changes the lives of people with disabilities. International Women in Engineering Day is a special time when women engineers celebrate their achievements. In this episode, Kessler Foundation creative producer Joan Banks-Smith had the opportunity to speak wit

Kessler Foundation Fast Takes – Women in Science - Episode 34 Welcome to a Fast Takes #WomenInScience podcast honoring the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Celebrated on February 11th, this United Nations initiative recognizes the critical role of women and girls in science and technology communities and calls for strengthening of their participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Presently, just 30 percent of researchers are women, and only 35 percent of all students enrolled in STEM-related fields of study are women. At Kessler Foundation, we celebrate women and their achievements: 65 percent of our staff members are women making major contributions to the advances we achieve in rehabilitation research that changes the lives of people with disabilities. Episode 34 features Dr. Lauren Strober, a senior research scientist at the Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research at Kessler Foundation. Producer Joan Banks-Smith interviews Dr.

Fast Takes – Ep 35 People with disabilities have remained the bright spot on the employment front, showing true grit in the face of economic upheaval. As economic recovery continues, people with disabilities continue to outpace their counterparts without disabilities in the labor market. Throughout the last quarter of 2021, the job numbers for people with disabilities remained above pre-pandemic levels, according to the semi-monthly National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). This contrasts with the trend for people without disabilities, who have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels of employment. The nTIDE team closely monitors job numbers in the U.S. for people with and without disabilities, issuing semi-monthly nTIDE reports as the labor market continues to reflect the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this Year-in-Review podcast, the co-founders of nTIDE, John O’Neill, PhD, director

Life at Kessler Foundation - Episode 6 Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/Jacqueline%20Leddy%20on%20Moving%20from%20Onsite%20to%20Cyberspace_Conducting%20Virtual%20Clinical%20Trials-Ep6-TRANSCRIPT.pdf In this episode, Jacqueline (Jackie) Leddy, a research assistant in our Centers for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research and Traumatic Brain Injury Research was interviewed by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation. Jackie discusses how she and fellow team members are motivated by their efforts, which could change people’s lives for the better, and how working at Kessler Foundation has provided her with a chance to learn, grow and explore how clinical trials are done. She has been instrumental in transitioning recruitment and operation of a traumatic brain injury clinical trial from onsite to completely virtual over the past 18 months. This clinical trial focuses on facial affect recognition and emotional processing for children from a

Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/Alder%20Cocker%2C%20brain%20and%20spinal%20cord%20injury%20survivor%2C%20abstract%20expressionist%20painter%20shares%20his%20story-TRANSCRIPT.pdf The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System proudly presents “Moving Forward: Personal Perspectives on Life after Brain Injury” virtual speakers series. In this episode, “accidental” abstract expressionist painter Alder Crocker, shares his personal story as a brain and spinal cord injury survivor with acquired savant syndrome. He is a tetraplegic that miraculously has the ability to paint. While his shoulders and arms have range of motion, he has no movement in his fingers. Together, these non-traditional faculties define the artist’s unique techniques and style. Jean Lengenfelder, PhD, assistant director of Center for Traumatic Brain Injury at Kessler Foundation, welcomes and introduces Mr. Crocker. Funding source: This podcast was supported under a grant from the Nation

Fast Takes – Ep 33 In this episode, Brian Sandroff, PhD, senior research scientist in the Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research at Kessler Foundation, talks about his peer-reviewed article, “The preliminary effects of moderate aerobic training on cognitive function in people with TBI and significant memory impairment: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial,” published on October 27, 2021, in the journal Neurocase. Funding source: the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research (CBIR13PIL013) Learn more about: Dr. Brian Sandroff,  https://kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/foundation-staff/brian-m-sandroff-phd Podcast Host Joan Banks-Smith, kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Joan%20Banks-Smith Read the peer-reviewed article, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13554794.2021.1990964 Co-authors: Carly L. A. Wender, Denise Krch, Glenn Wylie, Christopher M. Cirnigliaro, Jill, Nancy D. Chiaravalloti, and John DeLuca Tuned into our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in

The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System proudly presents “Moving Forward: Personal Perspectives on Life after Brain Injury” virtual speakers series. In this episode, Michael Greenwald, Secretary of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey’s Board of Trustees presents "Mike-at-the-Mike Panel Discussion: Covid-19 and Brain Injury”. Dr. Jean Lengenfelder welcomes and introduces Mr. Greenwald. Funding source: This podcast was supported under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR; grant number no. 90DPTB0003). Learn more about: Michael Greenwald: https://www.bianj.org/team/michael-greenwald-edm Podcast host: Joan Banks-Smith at  https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Joan%20Banks-Smith Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research: https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-traumatic-brain-injury The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury Model System: https://kesslerfoundation.org/researchcenter/tbi/modelsystems

Read the transcript at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/Weasilience-Handling%20Life%27s%20Wild%20Moments%20Brain%20Injury%20Survivor%20-%20Carole%20J%20Starr-TRANSCRIPT_0.pdf The Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury System proudly presents “Moving Forward: Personal Perspectives on Life after Brain Injury,” a virtual speakers series.  In this episode, brain injury survivor Carole J. Starr, author, advocate, educator, and co-founder of, Brain Injury Voices, shares her personal story: "’Weasilience’: Handling Life's Wild Moments.” Jean Lengenfelder, PhD, assistant director of Center for Traumatic Brain Injury at Kessler Foundation, welcomes and introduces Ms. Starr.  Funding source: This podcast was supported under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR; grant number no. 90DPTB0003).  Learn more about: 
Carole Starr: starrspeakerauthor.com   Podcast host: Joan Banks-Smith at  https://kesslerfoundation.org/abou

Ever wonder what it’s like to become a participant in a clinical research study? This podcast outlines all aspects of recruitment, vetting, protocols, and considerations for joining a study and dispels common misconceptions often fostered by Hollywood movies or TV shows. Jessica Ganga, Communications & Digital Media Coordinator at the Foundation, moderates a panel of research coordinators for mobility, spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the Foundation's recruitment manager. They share how volunteers help Kessler Foundation further its clinical research on advancing treatments, which impact the lives of individuals with disabilities worldwide. Volunteers are the heart of our research! Learn more about the panel: Rachel Byrne, Senior Research Coordinator (SCI) https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Rachel%20Byrne Kate Goworek, Research Coordinator (Mobility) https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Kathleen%20Goworek Jenny Masmela, Senior Research Coordinator (Str

Our Senior Vice President for Research and Training, Dr. John DeLuca talked with @RVNTV's Mark Iorio about how @KesslerFdn's mission and leadership continues the work of our namesake, Dr. Henry H. Kessler. Our work helps people with disabilities improve daily functioning and independence, to fully participate in community life. Used by permission RVN Television #RVNTv #RVNTelevision #RainMakersRoundup

Fast Takes - Episode 31 Read the transcript - https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/Prevalence%20of%20spatial%20neglect%20prompts%20call%20for%20screening%20survivors%20of%20right%20and%20left%20brain%20strokes-Ep31.pdf In this episode, Dr. Peii Chen, senior research scientist in our Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research, talks about her peer-reviewed article, “Prevalence of spatial neglect post-stroke: A systematic review,” e-published on September 24, 2021, in the journal Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. Funding source: Part of this work was supported under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR; grant number no. 90IFDV0001). Learn more about: Dr. Peii Chen at kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Peii%20Chen. The peer-reviewed article at www.sciencedirect.com/science/articl…189?via%3Dihub and podcast host Joan Banks-Smith at kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Joan%20Banks-Smith Co-authors: Emily Esp

Welcome to another Kessler Foundation podcast! In this episode, Jessica Ganga our Communications & Digital Media Coordinator, and Joan Banks-Smith our creative producer had the opportunity to speak with Ali Welch, mother, school teacher, and caregiver to her husband Pete who was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury as a result of a traumatic event. Ali is a former participant in one of our traumatic brain injury studies and supporter of the Foundation’s work. She talks about her caregiving role, first as a 23-year-old girlfriend and now as a wife. She also describes how she manages the daily challenges of caregiving. Learn more about Jessica Ganga, kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/found…/jessica-ganga and Joan Banks-Smith, kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Joan%20Banks-Smith For information about the Foundation’s caregiver studies, go to kesslerfoundation.org/research/studies/caregiver or our traumatic brain injury research, go to https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-traumatic-brain-injury Caregiver

Read the transcript - https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/Touch%20the%20Stars%20-%20Accessible%20Astronomy%20with%20Noreen%20Grice-ORIG-Transcript.pdf In this podcast, Jessica Ganga, Communications and Digital Coordinator here at Kessler Foundation spoke with Noreen Grice, astronomer, author and founder of the website You Can Do Astronomy (youcandoastronomy.com), Making Astronomy and Space Science Accessible for All. Noreen is an established astronomy educator, manager, business leader and entrepreneur with an extensive background in informal science education and planetarium management who leads in high-stakes environments. She has been named recipient of the Klumpke-Roberts Award (previously bestowed upon Carl Sagan) by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for “outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy.” Grice brings expertise in designing, training and delivering instructional materials and programs for visitors with disabilities and hol

Fast Takes -Episode 30 In this episode, Dr. Olga Boukrina, Research Scientist in our Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research talks about her peer reviewed article “Brain Network Dysfunction in Poststroke Delirium and Spatial Neglect: An fMRI Study” published on October 8, 2021 in the journal Stroke. Funding source: American Heart Association grant 17SDG33660442 (Dr Boukrina). In kind support provided by grant R24AG054259 (PI: Inouye) from the National Institute on Aging. Learn more about: Dr. Boukrina at https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Olga%20Boukrina The peer-reviewed article at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.035733 and podcast host Joan Banks-Smith at https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Joan%20Banks-Smith Co-authors: Mateusz Kowalczyk, Yury Koush, Yekyung Kong, A.M. Barrett ================================================= Tuned into our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Be sur

In this episode, Dr. Vikram Shenoy Handiru, associate research scientist in our Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research talks about his peer-reviewed article “Graph-theoretical analysis of EEG functional connectivity during balance perturbation in traumatic brain injury: A pilot study” e-published on July 26, 2021 in the journal Human Brain Mapping. Funding source: New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research, Grant/Award Number: CBIR15MIG004 Learn more about: Dr. Shenoy Handiru at https://kesslerfoundation.org/about-us/Vikram%20Shenoy%20Handiru The peer-reviewed article at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hbm.25554 Center for Mobility and Rehabilitation Engineering Research at https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/center-mobility-and-rehabilitation-engineering and podcast host Joan Banks-Smith at https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Joan%20Banks-Smith Co-authors: Alaleh Alivar, Armand Hoxha, Soha Saleh, Easter S. Suviseshamuthu, Guang H. Yue, Didier Allexandre