Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, director of Neuropsychology, Neuroscience and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) research at Kessler Foundation, and director of the Northern New Jersey Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model System, gave the Mitchell Rosenthal Memorial Lecture at the 2017 Rehabilitation Psychology Mid-Winter Conference in Albuquerque, NM.

"Having had the privilege of working with Dr. Rosenthal early in my career, it is very meaningful to be chosen to give this memorial lecture in his name," said Dr. Chiaravalloti. "Dr. Rosenthal's mentorship is fundamental to what I have been able to accomplish as a clinical researcher. His leadership in brain injury research and education remains an inspiration to those of us who follow his path."

Honorees for this bi-annual award are selected by the Rehabilitation Psychology planning committee of the American Psychological Association Division 22. The award recognizes candidates whose lasting contributions honor Dr. Rosenthal's legacy of TBI research and his commitment to teaching and mentorship. Dr. Chiaravalloti was selected for her contributions to advances in cognitive rehabilitation research in TBI, and her successful mentoring of postdoctoral fellows at Kessler Foundation.

For this lecture, Dr. Chiaravalloti chose the topic: "Treating New Learning and Memory Deficits in Rehabilitation Populations: The modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT)." As a result of her research on the application of the mSMT in TBI and MS populations, this technique is being used by professionals in eight countries, as well in facilities across the U.S.

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About Dr. Chiaravalloti

Dr. Chiaravalloti is director of Neuropsychology, Neuroscience & Traumatic Brain Injury Research at Kessler Foundation, and director of the Northern New Jersey TBI Model System. An expert in cognitive rehabilitation research, she has focused on finding new ways to treat cognitive deficits in the brain injury and multiple sclerosis populations. Dr. Chiaravalloti has begun exploring cognitive issues affecting the population with spinal cord injury (SCI) in collaboration with colleagues in SCI Research at Kessler Foundation, also the site of the Northern New Jersey SCI Model System. Kessler Foundation is one of only nine centers in the U.S. with federally funded model systems for both TBI and SCI.

About Kessler Foundation:

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes--including employment--for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

For more information on Kessler Foundation's research, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

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Contacts:

Carolann Murphy, PA; 973-324-8382; CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org

Laura Viglione, MS; 973-323-3675; LViglione@KesslerFoundation.org