Traumatic Brain Injury Research

My Life as A Research Assistant at Kessler Foundation Series: Christian Lucca on Balancing Research and Clinical Skills

Read the transcript

*** Originally recorded on March 29, 2016, updated August 5, 2020.***

*** Currently, Christian is a neuropsychology extern at Staten Island University Hospital.***

Welcome to our podcast series, “My Life As A Research Assistant”. This series is brought to you by Kessler Foundation, where we are changing the lives of people with disabilities.

Research assistants are on the front lines of our research studies—collecting data, conducting interviews, testing subjects—and are the face of Kessler Foundation to our research study participants. In 2020, Kessler Foundation was ranked among one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For and Best Places to Work in New Jersey (kesslerfoundation.org/press-release/…ork-new-jersey)!

Throughout this series, we’ll meet up with research assistants from our centers for mobility, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neuroscience and neuropsychology who have been with the Foundation for over a year, and some who are now senior research assistants, nurses, medical students, graduate students, and post docs, and those who applied their experience to other professions.

In this episode, I met up with Christian Lucca who worked as a research assistant in our Center for traumatic Brain Injury from 2015-2017, where he recruited participants for inpatient and outpatient traumatic brain injury studies; Collected and analyzed data from participants, including neuropsychological test scores; Ran experimental cognitive and motor interventions with volunteers in inpatient rehabilitation. Listen in as Christian talks to Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation about his experience at the foundation.

Read more about Christian Lucca

*** The sleep study mentioned in this podcast in no longer recruiting participants. We are however, recruiting for our “Motor Learning and Sleep in TBI“ study. To sign up, go to https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/studies/motor-learning-and-sleep-tbi .

For more about the Host: Joan Banks-Smith

*** The sleep study mentioned in this podcast in no longer recruiting participant. We are however, recruiting for our “Motor Learning and Sleep in TBI“ study. To sign up, go to https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/studies/motor-learning-and-sleep-tbi .

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Interested in working at Kessler Foundation?  Check out our career opportunities.

Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. 

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast was recorded on Friday, March 29, 2016 at 300 Executive Drive, West Orange, NJ and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

My Life as A Research Assistant at Kessler Foundation Series: Andrea Trotta Gagliano On A First Look at TBI Research

Read the transcript

*** Originally recorded on March 31st, 2016, updated July 13, 2020 ***

*** Andrea is currently a Research Coordinator in the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation***

Welcome to our newest podcast series, “My Life As  A Research Assistant”. This series is brought to you by Kessler Foundation, where we are changing the lives of people with disabilities.

Research assistants are on the front lines of our research studies collecting data, conducting interviews, testing subjects, and are the face of Kessler Foundation to our research study participants. In 2020, Kessler Foundation was ranked among one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For and Best Places to Work in New Jersey (https://kesslerfoundation.org/press-release/kessler-foundation-ranks-among-best-nonprofits-work-and-best-places-work-new-jersey)!

Throughout this series, we’ll meet up with research assistants from our centers for mobility, spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neuroscience and neuropsychology who have been with the Foundation for over a year, and some who are now senior research assistants, nurses, medical students, graduate students, and post docs, and those who applied their experience to other professions.

In this first episode, I met up with Andrea Trotta Galliano, (Ms. Gagliano was a research assistant when this podcast was recorded) is a Senior Research Coordinator in the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research. She has worked at the Foundation since 2012 and is also a Licensed Professional Counselor on several current TBI protocols. Her main responsibilities are inpatient recruitment for two national projects, along with data collection & management, and administration of clinical assessments and interventions. She also volunteer as a facilitator for a Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) sponsored brain injury support group where she provides psychological and psychoeducational support for survivors of brain injury and their caregivers.

Read more about Andrea Trotta Gagliano

For more about the Host: Joan Banks-Smith

Join a research study

Interested in working Kessler Foundation?  Check out our career opportunities

Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. Listen on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast was recorded on Thursday, March 31st, 2016 at 300 Executive Drive, West orange, NJ and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on society can interfere with sleep in a variety of ways, making existing issues more difficult for people with disabilities and/or bringing about new challenges. Listen as Dr. Erica Weber interviews neuropsychologist Dr. Anthony Lequerica, senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation, and an expert in sleep disturbances after brain injury, about the importance of quality sleep and how to maintain proper sleep hygiene during this stressful time.

Read the transcription at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2020-05/Optimizing-healthy-sleep-habits-during-the-COVID-19-pandemic-TRANSCRIPTION.pdf
 
To learn more about our experts click on their bio links below:
Dr. Anthony Lequerica (kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Anthony%20Lequerica)
Dr. Erica Weber (kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Erica%20Weber)

Join a study - https://kesslerfoundation.org/research/studies/motor-learning-and-sleep-tbi

Podcast Resources
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General information about sleep hygiene:  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-hygiene
For Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I):  Provider search tab at https://www.behavioralsleep.org/
To find an accredited Sleep Disorders Clinic:  http://sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility
Traumatic Brain Injury resources from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center: 
https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/sleep-and-traumatic-brain-injury
https://msktc.org/lib/docs/Info_Comics/MSKTC_SleepComic_508.pdf

Mindful Meditation

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Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Be Present -  www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToicYcHIOU
Jon Kabat Zinn Body Scan Meditation GUIDED MEDITATION - www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4gZgnCy5ew
3/30 Livestream Meditations with Jon Kabat-Zinn -  www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcKGv06U_KU
Headspace - www.headspace.com/meditation/10-minute-meditation

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Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. In new episodes, our experts weigh in on the impact of COVID-19 on people living with disabilities. And they talk about how research that changes lives continues at Kessler Foundation. Check back soon to listen to more COVID-19 podcasts on our playlist at https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/resilience-and-disability-in-the-time-of-covid-19

Listen on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 remotely and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

 In this podcast, we discuss with Dr. Genova how problems with social cognition (referring to the brain's ability to interpret and react to interactions with others) may be exacerbated during quarantine, and how to reduce the impact of these difficulties on relationships in the household. Dr. Weber also provides insight into how individuals with MS and TBI may be feeling socially isolated right now, and how to find social outlets and resources to improve mental health in this stressful time.

Read the transcription at https://kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/social-distancing-with-MS-or-a-TBI_Difficulties-with-being-too-close-and-too-far-TRANSCRIPTION.pdf

To learn more about our experts click on their bio links below:
Dr. Helen Genova (https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Helen%20Genova)
Dr. Erica Weber (https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Erica%20Weber)
Nicky Miller (https://kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/nicki%20miller)

Podcast Resource links….

National Organization
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National Multiple Sclerosis Society - https://www.nationalmssociety.org
Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ) - https://bianj.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html 

Mental Health
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New Jersey Mental Health emotional support during COVID 19 - https://www.njmentalhealthcares.org
866-202-HELP (4357), 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm (EST)

Headspace.com (Mindfulness for your everyday life) - https://www.headspace.com/

Mindful Meditation
====================
Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Be Present -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToicYcHIOU
Jon Kabat Zinn Body Scan Meditation GUIDED MEDITATION - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4gZgnCy5ew
3/30 Livestream Meditations with Jon Kabat-Zinn -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcKGv06U_KU
Headspace - https://www.headspace.com/meditation/10-minute-meditation
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Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. In new episodes, our experts weigh in on the impact of COVID-19 on people living with disabilities. And they talk about how research that changes lives continues at Kessler Foundation. Check back soon to listen to more COVID-19 podcasts on our playlist at https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/covid-19

Listen on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 remotely and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

These experts discuss challenges often faced by caregivers of persons with TBI and how symptoms may be exacerbated during sheltering in place, along with recommendations to reduce stress in the household while remaining vigilant, safe, and healthy.

Read the transcription at kesslerfoundation.org/sites/default/…NSCRIPTION.pdf

To learn more about our experts click on their bio links below:
Dr. Nancy Chiaravalloti (kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Nancy%…0Chiaravalloti)
Dr. Denise Krch (kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Denise%20Krch)
Dr. Erica Weber (kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Erica%20Weber)

Podcast Resource links….
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Upcoming Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ
Virtual Support Groups - bianj.org/support-groups/

Caregiver newsletter with some COVID-19 info:
mailchi.mp/caregiver.com/leading-love?e=c30a6d44c8

Join a TBI-caregiver tele-study through Kessler Foundation (PI: Denise Krch, PhD):
"Comparison of Two Group Wellness Interventions in Partner Caregivers of Individuals with TBI"
The purpose of this research study is to compare the effect of two different types of group wellness interventions for partner caregivers of individuals with TBI.
kesslerfoundation.org/research/studi…ndividuals-tbi

COVID-19 Consumer Warnings and Safety Tips - www.fcc.gov/covid-scams

Tuned in to our podcast series lately? Join our listeners in 90 countries who enjoy learning about the work of Kessler Foundation. In new episodes, our experts weigh in on the impact of COVID-19 on people living with disabilities. And they talk about how research that changes lives continues at Kessler Foundation. Check back soon to listen to more COVID-19 podcasts on our playlist at soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/resilience-and-disability-in-the-time-of-covid-19

Listen on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 remotely and was edited and produced by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation.

Welcome to the 2019 Brain Injury Conference - Brain Injury Rehabilitation: The Health & Wellness Connection sponsored by Kessler Institute Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation.

In this lecture podcast Irene Ward, PT, DPT, NCS, Brain Injury Clinical Research Coordinator at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation presents “BMI in TBI: When is it Safe to Exercise?”.

Program Summary

Each year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury and face a wide range of physical, functional, emotional and social challenges. This course will focus on the importance of an individual’s overall health and wellness in rehabilitation and recovery. Topics will include personal identity, cognition and memory, maintaining relationships and the capacity to return to fitness and other physical activities.

Objectives

• Identify brain injury as a chronic condition

• Define the role of a dedicated physiatrist in the trauma unit and the benefits of

acute medical rehabilitation

• Analyze the challenges of re-establishing personal identity and the impact on

personal relationships

• Assess the impact of cognition and memory on recovery and quality of life for the

person with brain injury

• Describe how body mass index (BMI) affects recovery and rehabilitation outcomes

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Chester Campus, Chester, New Jersey.

To listen to more conference podcasts, go to https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-traumatic-brain-injury-conference

For more information about Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, go to www.kessler-rehab.com

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org.

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

Welcome to the 2019 Brain Injury Conference - Brain Injury Rehabilitation: The Health & Wellness Connection sponsored by Kessler Institute Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation.

In this lecture podcast Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, Director of Neuropsychology, Neuroscience Research and Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Kessler Foundation presents “Cognition and Memory after TBI”.

Program Summary

Each year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury and face a wide range of physical, functional, emotional and social challenges. This course will focus on the importance of an individual’s overall health and wellness in rehabilitation and recovery. Topics will include personal identity, cognition and memory, maintaining relationships and the capacity to return to fitness and other physical activities.

Objectives

• Identify brain injury as a chronic condition

• Define the role of a dedicated physiatrist in the trauma unit and the benefits of

acute medical rehabilitation

• Analyze the challenges of re-establishing personal identity and the impact on

personal relationships

• Assess the impact of cognition and memory on recovery and quality of life for the

person with brain injury

• Describe how body mass index (BMI) affects recovery and rehabilitation outcomes

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Chester Campus, Chester, New Jersey.

To listen to more conference podcasts, go to https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-traumatic-brain-injury-conference

For more information about Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, go to www.kessler-rehab.com

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org.

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

Welcome to the 2019 Brain Injury Conference - Brain Injury Rehabilitation: The Health & Wellness Connection sponsored by Kessler Institute Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation.

Each year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury and face a wide range of physical, functional, emotional and social challenges. This course will focus on the importance of an individual’s overall health and wellness in rehabilitation and recovery. Topics will include personal identity, cognition and memory, maintaining relationships and the capacity to return to fitness and other physical activities.

Listen to the lecture podcasts on “Maximizing Recovery After Brain Injury”, “Relationships after TBI”, “Cognition and Memory after TBI”, and “BMI in TBI: When is it Safe to Exercise?” presented by experts from Kessler Institute Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation. See faculty below.

To listen to more conference podcasts, go to https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-traumatic-brain-injury-conference

For more information about Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, go to www.kessler-rehab.com

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org.

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

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Faculty
Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD (read bio kesslerfoundation.org/aboutus/Nancy%…0Chiaravalloti)
Director of Neuropsychology, Neuroscience Research and
Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Kessler Foundation

Neil Jasey, MD
Director of Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

Kelly Kearns, PsyD
Neuropsychologist
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

Irene Ward, PT, DPT, NCS
Brain Injury Clinical Research Coordinator

Welcome to the 2019 Brain Injury Conference - Brain Injury Rehabilitation: The Health & Wellness Connection sponsored by Kessler Institute Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation.

In this lecture podcast Neil Jasey, MD, Director of Brain Injury Rehabilitation at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation presents “Maximizing Recovery After Brain Injury”.

Program Summary
Each year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury and face a wide range of physical, functional, emotional and social challenges. This course will focus on the importance of an individual’s overall health and wellness in rehabilitation and recovery. Topics will include personal identity, cognition and memory, maintaining relationships and the capacity to return to fitness and other physical activities.

Objectives
• Identify brain injury as a chronic condition
• Define the role of a dedicated physiatrist in the trauma unit and the benefits of
acute medical rehabilitation
• Analyze the challenges of re-establishing personal identity and the impact on
personal relationships
• Assess the impact of cognition and memory on recovery and quality of life for the
person with brain injury
• Describe how body mass index (BMI) affects recovery and rehabilitation outcomes

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Chester Campus, Chester, New Jersey.

To listen to more conference podcasts, go to https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-traumatic-brain-injury-conference

For more information about Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, go to www.kessler-rehab.com

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org.

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!

Welcome to the 2019 Brain Injury Conference - Brain Injury Rehabilitation: The Health & Wellness Connection sponsored by Kessler Institute Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation.

In this lecture podcast Kelly Kearns, PsyD, Neuropsychologist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation presents “Relationships after TBI”.

Program Summary
Each year, an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury and face a wide range of physical, functional, emotional and social challenges. This course will focus on the importance of an individual’s overall health and wellness in rehabilitation and recovery. Topics will include personal identity, cognition and memory, maintaining relationships and the capacity to return to fitness and other physical activities.

Objectives
• Identify brain injury as a chronic condition
• Define the role of a dedicated physiatrist in the trauma unit and the benefits of
acute medical rehabilitation
• Analyze the challenges of re-establishing personal identity and the impact on
personal relationships
• Assess the impact of cognition and memory on recovery and quality of life for the
person with brain injury
• Describe how body mass index (BMI) affects recovery and rehabilitation outcomes

This presentation was recorded, produced, and edited by Joan Banks-Smith, Creative Producer for Kessler Foundation on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Chester Campus, Chester, New Jersey.
 
To listen to more conference podcasts, go to https://soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation/sets/2019-traumatic-brain-injury-conference

For more information about Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, go to www.kessler-rehab.com

For more information about Kessler Foundation and our researchers, go to www.KesslerFoundation.org.

Like us on FaceBook, follow us on Instagram, listen to us on Soundcloud, and tweet with us on Twitter!