Faculty

Gerald Voelbel

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

Gerald Voelbel

Phone: 212-998-5825
Email:

Gerald Voelbel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. His main research interests focus on the neuropsychological deficits in neurological and psychiatric populations. An area of significant importance for Dr. Voelbel is the development of cognitive remediation techniques to improve cognitive deficits, such as processing speed, executive function and working memory in individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Dr. Voelbel investigates the remediation of the cognitive deficits as they relate to performing everyday tasks and psychological problems. An additional area of interest for Dr. Voelbel is the use of functional and structural imaging methods to identify biomarkers of cognitive deficits in concussions and in more severe traumatic brain injuries.

Faculty Profile


Selected Publications

  • Voelbel, G.T., Genova, H.M., Chiaravalotti, N.D., & Hoptman, M.J. (2012). Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Traumatic Brain Injury Review: Implications for Neurorehabilitation. NeuroRehabilitation, 31(3), 281-293.
  • Yu, T-Y, Hinojosa, J., Howe, T-H, & Voelbel, G. (2012). Contribution of tactile and kinesthetic perceptions to handwriting in Taiwanese children in first and second grade. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 32 (3), 87-94. doi:10.3928/15394492-20111209-02
  • Voelbel, G. T., Goverover, Y., Gaudino, E. A., Moore, N. B., Chiaravalloti, N., & DeLuca, J.(2011). The Relationship between Neurocognitive Behavior of Executive Functions and the Executive Function Performance Test in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. 31(1), S30-S37.
  • Arango-Lasprilla, J. C., Charavalloti, N. D., Balzano, J., Voelbel, G. T., Rogers, H., Cuetos, F., DeLuca, J. (2009). Cognitive rehabilitation intervention: The usefulness of self-generation to improve learning and memory in Hispanics. Journal of Minority Disability Research and Practice 1(1), 47-71.
  • Barbour, R.L., Graber, H.L., Xu, Y., Pei, Y., Wylie, G.R., Voelbel, G.T., DeLuca, J., Medvedev, A.V. (2009). Systems and Strategies for Accessing the Information Content of fNIRS Imaging in Support of Noninvasive BCI Applications. HCI (16), 709-718
  • Genova, H. M., Sumowski, J. F., Chiaravalloti, N., Voelbel, G. T., & DeLuca, J. (2009). Cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: Major issues and the use of fmri to examine cognitive functioning. Frontiers in Bioscience, 14, 1730-1744.
  • Wylie, G. R., Graber, H. L., Voelbel, G. T., Kohl, A. D., DeLuca, J., Pei, Y., Xu, Y., Barbour, R. L. (2009). Using co-variations in the Hb signal to detect visual activation: A near infrared spectroscopic imaging study. NeuroImage, 47(2): 473-481.
  • Chiu, S., Widiaia, F., Bates, M.E., Voelbel, G.T., Pandina, G., Marble, J., Blank, J., Day, J., Brule, N., & Hendren, R.L. (2008). Anterior Cingulate Volume in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder. Biological Psychiatry. Journal of Affective Disorders, 105(1-3):93-9.
  • Voelbel, G.T., Bates, M.E., Buckman, J.F., Pandina, G., & Hendren, R.L. (2006). Caudate Nucleus Volume and Cognitive Performance: Are they related in Childhood Psychopathology? Biological Psychiatry. 60: 942-950.
  • Bates, M. E., Voelbel, G. T., Buckman, J. F., Labouvie, E. W., & Barry, D. (2005). Short-Term Neuropsychological Recovery in Clients with Substance Use Disorders. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. 29(3):367-377.
  • Bates, M. E., Barry, D., Labouvie, E.W., Fals-Stewart, W., Voelbel, G.T, & Buckman, J.F. (2004) Risk Factors and Neuropsychological Recovery in Clients with Alcohol Use Disordered who were Exposed to Different Treatments, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(6), 1073-1080.
  • Bates, M.E., Labouvie, E.W., Voelbel, G.T. (2002). Individual differences in latent neuropsychological abilities at addictions treatment entry. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 16(1), 35-46.
  • Bates, M.E., Voelbel, G.T., Labouvie, E.W., McCrady, B.S., Blanchard, K.A., and Pinsky, I. (2001). Asymmetric patterns of relations between performance on six tests of executive function in persons seeking addictions treatment. Brain and Cognition, 47, 230-233.
  • Pallone, N.J., Hennessy, J.J., and Voelbel, G.T. (1998) Identifying Pedophiles "eligible" for community notification under Megan's law: A multivariate model for actuarially-anchored decisions. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 28(1/2), 41-60.
  • Pallone, N.J., and Voelbel, G.T. (1998) Limbic system dysfunction and inventoried psychopathology among incarcerated pedophiles. Current Psychology: Developmental, Learning, Personality, Social, 17, 57-74.
  • Arango-Lasprilla, J. C., Charavalloti, N. D., Balzano, J., Voelbel, G. T., Rogers, H., Cuetos, F., DeLuca, J. (2009). Cognitive rehabilitation intervention: The usefulness of self-generation to improve learning and memory in Hispanics. Journal of Minority Disability Research and Practice 1(1), 47-71.
  • Wylie, G. R., Graber, H. L., Voelbel, G. T., Kohl, A. D., DeLuca, J., Pei, Y., Xu, Y., Barbour, R. L. (2009). Using co-variations in the Hb signal to detect visual activation: A near infrared spectroscopic imaging study. NeuroImage, 47(2): 473-481.

Latest Research on Concussions

Degrees Held

  • Ph.D. Rutgers University
    Psychology
  • M.S. Rutgers University
    Psychology
  • B.A. Rutgers University
    Psychology

Ongoing Research Projects

Currently Recruiting for the Following Studies

Speed of Information Processing Training in Traumatic Brain Injury

This study is investigating the utility of Speed of Processing training in Adults with Moderate or Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Individuals that participate undergo a neurocognitive assessment prior to the intensive training and after they complete the training.

You may qualify if:

  • You have a traumatic brain injury
  • Between the ages of 18-65 years old
  • Medically healthy
  • Speak and understand English

For more information Contact Gerald Voelbel, Ph.D. at gv23@nyu.edu or  (212) 998-5827.

Research Interests

  • The investigation of cognitive impairment associated with concussions and other brain injuries.
  • Investigations of cognitive remediation methods to improve cognitive deficits and functional impairments in neurological and psychiatric populations.
  • Functional and structural neuroimaging tools to identify biomarkers associated with cognitive impairment and cognitive rehabilitation.

Academic Positions

Department of Occupational Therapy
The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
New York University
Assistant Professor (2008-Present)

Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine
New York University Langone Medical Center
Adjunct Assistant Professor (2011-Present)

Courses

  • OT-GE 2010 - Neuroscience
  • OT-GE 2745 - Mental Health Evaluations and Interventions
  • OT-GE 2039 - Medical and Psychiatric Conditions

Grants

Co-Investigator: “Prospective Longitudinal Study of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS)-Analysis Using Modern Imaging, Neurocognitive and Psychological Testing.” Department of Defense.
Funded: September, 2011 - August, 2013.

Principal Investigator: “Speed of Processing Training for Traumatic Brain Injury.” New York University Research Challenge Fund.
Funded: May 15, 2010 - May 31, 2012.

Co-Investigator: “Neurocognitive function and cerebral perfusion in cardiac surgery.” (R-21) National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Funded: September, 2010 - August, 2012.

Co-Investigator: “Closed-loop fDOT imaging system for TBI.” Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Phase II, STTR). National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Funded: September 30, 2007 - September 30, 2010.

Principal Investigator: “Functional near infrared spectroscopy of mild TBI.” Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Individual Fellowship (F32), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Funded: August 1, 2006 - July 31, 2008.