About Us

The Center on Knowledge Translation for Employment Research (CeKTER) is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Our goal is to generate new materials and methods for greater utilization of knowledge translation in services and policies to successfully promote employment outcomes for people with disabilities. CeKTER is co-located in the Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation (BU CPR) and the Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center (iSPARC) at UMass Chan Medical School.

Knowledge translation (KT) refers to strategies that move research into practice by improving the relevance, reporting, accessibility, interpretation, and application of research results. We recognize that there is a wide range of shareholders or target audiences for NIDILRR-funded disability employment research, including policymakers, professionals, persons with lived experience, family members, researchers, and industry, so the messaging and delivery method of findings must be tailored.

CeKTER utilizes the expertise of an advisory council comprised of professionals in implementation science, representatives of national associations of people with disabilities, as well as prominent NIDILRR disability employment researchers.

To help shareholders meet their identified needs within those areas, CeKTER investigates and tests knowledge translation (KT) strategies. CeKTER also provides technical assistance to grantees in planning and engaging in KT activities. Other Center activities include developing and evaluating a capacity-building strategy to strengthen knowledge translation expertise delivering this strategy for broader utilization and conducting communities of practice with NIDILRR employment research grantees.

The Center aims to enhance grantees' understanding of KT strategies, and then support them to conduct their own research, development, and dissemination. Dissemination activities highlight the NIDILRR grantees’ work, and the Center actively promotes CeKTER activities and products to ensure utilization.

Learn about our team

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.
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.
Paula Darlington

Communication Specialist

Paula Darlington is a Communications Specialist with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, as well as iSPARC and CeKTER. With over 30 years of experience in multimedia communications, she began her career in advertising and trade book publishing in New York City. Passionate about the power of storytelling in marketing, Paula is dedicated to sharing CeKTER’s vital role in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities.
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.
Joe Marrone , MS

Project Director

Mr. Marrone was the Senior Program Manager for Training/Technical Assistance Policy, at the Institute for Community Inclusion, Center on State Systems and Employment (RRTC) and the National Center for Workforce and Disability UMass for over 25 years. He has extensive experience implementing employment programs and consulting to state VR systems. Well respected nationally and highly knowledgeable about employment issues, he is ideally suited for his role as co-Project Director providing technical assistance as well as coaching.
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).
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.
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.