About Our Research

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About Our Research

We help individuals with disabilities improve mobility, cognition, quality of life, and gain employment.

Kessler Foundation changes the lives of people with physical and cognitive disabilities through the work of specialized rehabilitation research centers. Our scientists seek ways to overcome obstacles faced by adults and children who live with brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, autism, and other chronic neurological and orthopedic conditions. Researchers also investigate how disabilities affect employment and methods to optimize outcomes.

Participants and their families

Helping Adults and Children With Disabilities

Our research changes care. Kessler Foundation researchers are recognized nationally and internationally in neuroscience, neuropsychology, neurology, bioengineering, public health, and disability employment. We collaborate with clinical partners to identify needs and assess new methods of treatment. Treatments developed by Kessler Foundation scientists are used by rehabilitation professionals in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America.

Research Center Directors

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Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Kessler Foundation's Rehabilitation Research Training Program trains individuals in clinical research whose ultimate goal is to improve the rehabilitation outcomes for traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, and other neurological and physical impairments. The program is designed to be multidisciplinary, and will solicit and enroll post-doctoral fellows and clinicians from a wide variety of fields within rehabilitation. These fellows will receive research training that will facilitate the pursuit of a career in rehabilitation research. 

Research Studies Currently Enrolling Participants

 
 

 

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View our Notice of Privacy Practices (NOPP) for more information about how participant data is used and stored in our secure database.

TBI and SCI Model Systems Provide National Impact

Kessler Foundation, in alliance with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, is one of only 10 U.S. organizations with dual model system grants for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury research. Model systems promote independent and collective research to improve the national standard of care.

Funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, model systems deliver specialized care, conduct innovative research, and collect long-term data to advance rehabilitation. By collaborating nationally, the Foundation shares best practices that improve clinical care and helps individuals with SCI and TBI achieve greater independence and community participation.

Northern New Jersey SCI System Northern New Jersey TBI System

Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center

Living with Spinal Cord Injury Living with Traumatic Brain Injury

 

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Partnerships Help Advance Rehabilitation Research

Collaborations with leading hospitals, universities, and foundations across the country are vital to the success of our rehabilitation research. Close partnerships with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School strengthen our ability to conduct impactful clinical studies and translate findings into real-world care. Collaborations with Veterans Administration hospitals include studies to improve caregiving for veterans with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. 

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Advance Your Knowledge Base with Online Learning at KFLearn.org

Kessler Foundation Learning Center (KFLearn.org) offers flexible, online courses designed for rehabilitation professionals, clinicians, and caregivers. Topics include understanding spinal cord injury, memory training methods, vocational rehabilitation, cognitive assessment, and more. Courses are developed by experts at Kessler Foundation and range from introductory to advanced levels. Many are free, while others require a fee.

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