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Alissa Pacheco, Ph.D., OTR/L

Assistant Professor
Office Location
East Campus, 224 A
Email
alissa.Pacheco@kean.edu
Phone
(908)-737-5846

Education

  • B.S., Health Science Studies, Quinnipiac University, 2009     
  • B.S., Health Science Studies, Quinnipiac University, 2009
  • MOT, Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, 2011
  • M.Phil., Kinesiology,  Columbia University, 2024
  • Ph.D., Kinesiology (Motor Learning & Motor Control), Columbia University, 2025

Courses Taught

  • OT 6406 Brain, Function, and Behavior
  • OT 6405 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology
  • OT 6921 and OT 7921 Adult Rehab Practice
  • OT6520 Research Methods I
  • OT6521 and OT 7521 Research Methods II
  • OT6612 Group Development
  • OT 6223 Conditions 2
  • OT 6200 Introduction to Residency 1 
  • OT 7200 Residency Proposal 1
  • OT 7201 Residency Proposal 2
  • OT 7203 Doctoral Residency

 

 

 


 

Research Interests

  • Physical activity and health management interventions for individuals with Parkinson's Disease & neurological impairments
  • Community-based participatory research (CBPR) to address healthcare disparities in neurological and underserved populations
  • Integration of technology and wearable devices to support self-management strategies for individuals with Parkinson's disease and movement disorders

Peer Reviewed Publications

  • Pacheco A, van Schaik T, Paleyes N, Blacutt M, Vega J, Schreier A, Zhang H, Macpherson C, Desai R, Jancke G, Quinn L      A Wearable Vibratory Device (The Emma Watch) to Address Action Tremor in Parkinson Disease: Pilot Feasibility Study JMIR Biomed Eng 2023;8:e40433.  URL: https://biomedeng.jmir.org/2023/1/e40433
  • Kipnis, D.*, Pacheco, A.*, Delfing, D., Toomer-Mensah, N., Macpherson, C. E., Rieger, J., Parker, A., Coley, R. B., Coley, D., Shah, H., & Quinn, L. (2024). Community-based participatory research approach to address healthcare disparities confronting members of the Black Diaspora with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 119, 105936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105936 * co-first authors
  • Kipnis D, Lin M, Pacheco A, Mensah N, Gu Y, Macpherson C, Kempner K, Parker A, Coley B, Coley D, Shah H, Quinn L.
  • Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Care for Historically Marginalized Communities Affected by Parkinson Disease: A Qualitative Study. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-024-02011-2
  • Macpherson CE, Shih H-JS, Pacheco A, McGill R, Quinn L., On “Updates in Motor Learning: Implications for Physical Therapy
  • Practice and Education.” [Letter to the Editor]. Leech KA, Roemmich RT, Gordon J, Reisman DS, Cherry-Allen KM. Phys Ther. 2022;102:pzab250. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab250, Physical Therapy, Volume 102, Issue 8, August 2022, pzac083, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzac083
  • Wani, D. K., Chandrana, A., Alomar, J. A., Pacheco, A., Macpherson, C. E., Kipnis, D., Fineman, J., Rafferty, M., Katus, L., Shah, H., Quinn, L. (2025). Reliability and variability of self-reported physical activity and exercise self-efficacy measures among people with Parkinson disease. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2460727
  • Macpherson C, Kempner K, King M, Kaplan, M, Pacheco A, Wani D, Kuo S, Quinn L. Feasibility of a Telehealth Physical Activity Coaching Intervention for Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy ():10.1097/NPT.0000000000000516, May 09, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000516          

Publications

  • Pacheco, A. C. (2025). 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 (Order No. 31996157). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3205340664).
  • The PD Movers: We Keep Moving, Living and Thriving with Parkinson’s Disease in Our Black and African American Communities
  • Edited and compiled by Danielle Kipnis, Michele Lin, Hiral Shah, Lori Quinn and Anita Parker. Illustrations by Randell Pearson. Contributions by Alissa Pacheco, Chelsea Macpherson, and Elizabeth Delaney (2022)