Blue banner with white Kessler logo and shapes

Social Cognition and Neuroscience Laboratory

Body

 

female research scientist director with brown hair at Kessler Foundation wearing a white blouse

Helen Genova, PhD

Laboratory Director

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.

 

Areas of Focus

Helen Genova, PhD, directs the Social Cognition and Neuroscience Laboratory and the Center for Autism Research at Kessler Foundation. Researchers here incorporate principles of positive psychology to promote positive outcomes for study participants. By employing a wide range of techniques, including virtual reality (VR), web-based interventions, neuroimaging, eye tracking, and mixed-methods, lab research scientists aim to address the complex issues facing individuals with disabilities.

What sets this lab apart is the researchers’ commitment to engaging with the disability community directly. By involving stakeholders, the team ensures that its research is meaningful and accessible. Community feedback is integrated into the development and refinement of interventions, ensuring that the research aligns with the needs and perspectives of the individuals it aims to benefit.

 

Current Funding Support

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
Reitman Foundation
New Jersey Commission on Brain Injury Research
Alfiero and Lucia Palestroni Foundation
The Values of Action Institute on Character (VIA)