Kessler Foundation Podcasts

SIlvana Costa, PhD presenting at the 2016 Fellow Symposium "Information Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis"

Meghan Caulfield, PhD presents at the 2016 Fellow Symposium "Changes in Functional Connectivity Following Prism Adaptation Therapy"

Ghaith Androwis, PhD presenting at the Fellow Symposium "Advances in Wearable Robotics & Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research" Ghaith joined the Human Performance and Engineering Lab at Kessler Foundation, with interest to work on Exoskeleton robotics (Ekso) for walking rehabilitation in adults after stroke, TBI and children with CP; Functional electrical stimulation for rehabilitation of foot drop (WalkAide device). Another area of interest includes the application of novel interventions (i.e. vestibular stimulation, Whole body vibration) on individuals with neuromuscular disability with the aim to reduce their level of disorder (i.e. Spasticity, Dystonia and muscle tone).

A quick word from Congressman Scott Garrett at the 2016 Ridgewood Wheelchair 10K.

Larry Bram and Nathaniel Corbin from Easter Seals presents at our Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, May 13, 2016 and share how funding from Kessler Foundation impacts US veterans and their families.

Dr. Gail Forrest is associate director of Human Performance and Engineering Research at Kessler Foundation and is also Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School. Over the last 6 years Dr Forrest has continued to receive state and federal funded grants concentrating on the neuroplasticity, improvement in secondary consequences and restoration of function for individuals after SCI. She has presented and published extensively in the area of neuroplasticity and musculoskeletal changes for individuals after SCI. Dr Forrest has other key interests in the area of biomechanics as related to modeling algorithms for under standing control mechanisms in upper extremity (i.e. arm reaching after stroke), and postural control during locomotion. All her areas of research are ultimately focused towards the improvement of functional mobility.

Dr. Karen Nolan is a Senior Research Scientist in Human Performance and Engineering Research at Kessler Foundation, Assistant Professor of PM&R at Rutgers NJMS, Clinical Research Scientist at Children’s Specialized Hospital, and Affiliated Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dr. Nolan has extensive experience in leading the design and implementation of biomechanics research and strong expertise in balance, gait, movement analysis, neuromuscular physiology, rehabilitation robotics, and peripheral motor control.

 Welcome to a 2016 Kessler Foundation Research Speakers series. Guest speakers for today, April 4th, 2016 are Drs. Gail Forrest and Karen Nolan presenting: “Powered Robotic Exoskeleton Research in the HPER”.   Dr. Karen Nolan is a Senior Research Scientist in Human Performance and Engineering Research at Kessler Foundation, Assistant Professor of PM&R at Rutgers NJMS, Clinical Research Scientist at Children’s Specialized Hospital, and Affiliated Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dr. Nolan has extensive experience in leading the design and implementation of biomechanics research and strong expertise in balance, gait, movement analysis, neuromuscular physiology, rehabilitation robotics, and peripheral motor control. Dr. Gail Forrest is associate director of Human Performance and Engineering Research at Kessler Foundation and is also Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School. Over the last 6 years Dr Forrest has continued to receive state and federal funded grants concentrating on the neuroplasticity, improvement in secondary consequences and restoration of function for individuals after SCI. She has presented and published extensively in the area of neuroplasticity and musculoskeletal changes for individuals after SCI. Dr Forrest has other key interests in the area of biomechanics as related to modeling algorithms for under standing control mechanisms in upper extremity (i.e. arm reaching after stroke), and postural control during locomotion. All her areas of research are ultimately focused towards the improvement of functional mobility.   This presentation was recorded on Monday, April 4th, 2016 at the Kessler Foundation Conference Center, West Orange, NJ and is sponsored by Kessler Foundation.

Today is April 1, Jobs Friday, and we’ve just issued our monthly report on Trends in Disability Employment – or #nTIDE. We’re exploring today’s nTIDE with Dr John O’Neill, director of Disability & Employment Research at Kessler Foundation. Dr. O’Neill looks at the six-month trends, finding reason to be cautiously optimistic, and describes an interesting new pilot study aimed at getting individuals with spinal cord injury back to work by intervening with vocational services during their inpatient rehab.

We’re INSIDE KESSLER FOUNDATION with Justin Stanley, Research Recruitment Specialist – a new position here at the Foundation. Justin talks about our caregiver studies and what Kessler Foundation is learning about stress, burden, and the potential for negative health outcomes for them. Interested in becoming a research participant? Sign up at http://www.kesslerfoundation.org/joinourresearchstudies.php

We’re INSIDE KESSLER FOUNDATION with Justin Stanley, Research Recruitment Specialist – a new position here at the Foundation. KESSLER FOUNDATION is a major center for cognitive research in traumatic brain injury – the most common neurological disorder among young people. Justin, tells us about our studies aimed at improving treatment for individuals with cognitive deficits due to TBI. Interested in becoming a research participant? Sign up at http://www.kesslerfoundation.org/joinourresearchstudies.php

We’re INSIDE KESSLER FOUNDATION with Justin Stanley, Research Recruitment Specialist – a new position here at the Foundation. KESSLER FOUNDATION is a major center for cognitive research in multiple sclerosis – the most common neurological disorder among young people. Justin tells us about our studies aimed at improving treatment for individuals with cognitive deficits due to MS. Interested in becoming a research participant? Sign up at http://www.kesslerfoundation.org/joinourresearchstudies.php

Welcome to a 2016 Kessler Foundation Research Speakers series. Guest speaker Dr. Denise Krch presents: “Development of a virtual-based cognitive rehabilitation treatment” Dr. Krch is a Research Scientist in the Traumatic Brain Injury Laboratory at Kessler Foundation Research Center, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School, The State University of New Jersey and is a licensed psychologist in the state of New York. Dr. Krch has recently been awarded funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to develop an innovative, virtual reality-based intervention to treat impairments in executive function in individuals with TBI. Dr. Krch also receives funding from the New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research to investigate the role of cognitive reserve in TBI. This presentation was recorded on Monday, February 1st, 2016 at the Kessler Foundation Conference Center, West Orange, NJ and is sponsored by Kessler Foundation.

Welcome to the 2016 Estabrook Distinguished Research Lectureship “Vocational and Community Integration after Acquired Brain Injury” Presented by James F. Malec, PhD, ABPP-Cn, Rp, Professor & Research Director of PM&R at Indiana University School of Medicine & Rehabilitation Hospital and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the Mayo Clinic. This lecture was recorded on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Kessler Conference Center, West Orange, NJ and is sponsored by Kessler Foundation and the Estabrook Distinguished Research Lectureship. The Estabrook Lecture Series memorializes Kenneth Estabrook (1924-2003), who supported Dr. Henry H. Kessler’s efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Estabrook, an attorney, served as trustee, vice president, and president of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation from 1967-1986, as well as chairman of Kessler Rehabilitation Corporation and member of the Board of Trustees for Kessler Foundation.  His wife, Anne, established this lectureship in 2001 to commemorate his 75th birthday.

Join us for our first 2016 SCI grand rounds podcast series sponsored by Kessler Foundation. Guest speaker Sandra Wojeciehowski, discusses: “Advances in Rehabilitation Technology” Sandra is an Advanced Clinical Specialist and NeuroRecovery Network Clinical Supervisor at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Physical Therapist at Kessler Foundation. This lecture was recorded on Wednesday, January 20th, 2016 and is presented by the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System, which is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90SI5011-01-00).  NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).