We strive to create and evaluate interventions to improve social engagement and wellness for individuals with disabilities including autism, traumatic brain injury, and multiple sclerosis.
Helen Genova, PhD, directs the Social Cognition and Neuroscience Laboratory and Kessler Foundation's Center for Autism Research, where she is associate director. Lab researchers apply principles of positive psychology to foster positive outcomes for people with disabilities. Using a variety of techniques, including virtual reality, web-based interventions, neuroimaging, eye tracking, and mixed-methods approaches, Dr. Genova and her team seek to address the complex challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Lab researchers are dedicated to working directly with the disability community. By involving stakeholders, the team makes sure their research is meaningful and accessible. Community feedback is incorporated into the development and improvement of interventions, ensuring that the research aligns with the needs and perspectives of the people it aims to help.
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
Reitman Foundation
New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research
Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Foundation
The Values in Action Institute on Character
Research Studies
Laboratory Team
