Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Kean University
Dr. Alissa Pacheco is a Licensed and Board-Certified Occupational Therapist (OT) with over 15 years of clinical experience in acute care, inpatient, and outpatient settings, working with both adults and pediatric populations. She also holds a certification in the Yoga for the Special Child® method.
Alissa is passionate about community engagement and has provided occupational therapy services internationally, including in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Virgin Islands. In addition to her academic and clinical work, she runs her own private practice, where she works with individuals with:
-
Parkinson’s disease
-
Movement disorders
-
Long COVID
-
Post-concussion syndrome
-
Visual-vestibular integration dysfunction
-
Sensory integration impairments
Education
-
B.S. in Health Science, Quinnipiac University, 2009
-
M.S. in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, Magna Cum Laude, 2011
-
Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Motor Learning & Control), Teachers College, Columbia University, 2025
While at Teachers College, Alissa was a member of the Neurorehabilitation Research Lab (NRL) and served as lab manager from 2021 to 2024. She remains an active research collaborator with the NRL. Her dissertation, titled “Implementation of consumer wearable devices as a self-management tool in a physical activity coaching program for people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease: A mixed methods study,” reflects her commitment to advancing innovative, technology-based interventions for people with neurological conditions.
At NRL, Alissa Worked in:
Alissa has published multiple peer-reviewed articles and abstracts and has presented her research at international conferences. She is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Research Interests
-
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) to address healthcare disparities in neurological and underserved populations
-
Physical activity and health management interventions for individuals with neurological impairments
-
Integration of technology and wearable devices to support self-management strategies
Outside of work, Alissa is a strong advocate for movement in all forms. She encourages people of all ages and abilities to stay active, have fun, and enjoy life. She enjoys traveling, swimming, and playing sports. She also loves ballroom dancing with her husband and hikes daily with her loyal pup, Logan.