About Us

Learn about our team

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  Marianne Farkas , ScD

  Co-Principal Investigator

  Dr. Farkas is the Co-Principal Investigator of the Research and Training Center and Professor in Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University. She is a nationally and internationally recognized educator and innovator with over 100 published articles, 10 textbooks and training curricula, and 7 multi-media training packages to her name, with both academic and professional awards for her work, particularly in the area of psychiatric rehabilitation, recovery oriented practice and employment. She has developed processes for Implementation and Knowledge Translation throughout her career, particularly with respect to systematic end user involvement, workforce development and conceptualization of scaling up approaches. 

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  Marsha Langer Ellison , PhD

  Co-Principal Investigator

  Dr. Ellison brings over 30 years of expertise in rehabilitation research, during which she co-authored A Handbook for Participatory Action Researchers, the first of its kind in psychiatric disabilities. As Deputy Director for KT for the NIDILRR-funded Learning and Working During the Transition to Adulthood RRTC, she has led the development of the RRTC’s robust program of TA, dissemination, and training, which fully uses end-user voice in their design.

• Zachary Cutler , MBA

  Marketing and Technology Administrator

  Mr. Cutler brings expertise in cognitive remediation research, Business and Marketing, as well as technology use and development to the KT Center.  He will help to create technology relevant to training and coaching as well as contribute to appropriate web pages and social media marketing, as needed by the development, utilization, and training projects.

• Lyn Legere , MS

  Senior Training Associate

  Ms. Legere will bring her expertise as a nationally recognized peer leader, trainer, and advocate to her role on our utilization project. As an expert in developing and implementing training, particularly peer coaching, certification and benefits counseling, Ms. Legere will participate in delivering coaching services, as well as teach in the KT Academy.

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  Debbie Nicolellis , MS, CRC, CPRP

  Training Director

  Training Director, UMass Chan Medical School, Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Ms. Nicolellis has led projects within NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers at UMass Chan and at Boston University to support the manualization of knowledge and tools and provide competency-based training and TA to organizations and providers. Ms. Nicolellis is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance within NIDILRR-funded Learning and Working RRTC and provides TA and facilitates the currently ongoing Community of Practice on Effectiveness of Training within the Center for Knowledge Translation in Employment Research (CeKTER).

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  Zlatka Russinova , PhD

  Research Associate Professor

  Dr. Russinova will be the second co-Project Director of the scoping review research project. She has extensive experience developing and managing successful grants and innovative research studies. Dr. Russinova has published extensively about employment for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, with significant experience in developing and testing new interventions in vocational services and outcomes.

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  Robin Tasca , BA

  Communication Specialist

  Robin is a seasoned Communication Specialist with the iSPARC Communication Program, bringing over 25 years of expertise in marketing communications. She is passionate about thought leadership and storytelling, particularly through LinkedIn. Her primary focus is managing and enhancing the CeKTER website to effectively promote its mission and vision. With extensive experience in website development and digital accessibility, Robin ensures that all materials, websites, and information technology tools meet accessibility standards. She is well-versed in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d) and ensures that electronic materials align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0/2.1 AA success criteria.