The three-year grants are aimed at encouraging the development of talented, highly-motivated young scientists in the field of spinal cord repair, in both clinical and basic science research environments.
We have funded over 40 student awards under this grant. Here are the two latest awards.
Restoration of urinary function in spinal cord injury using olfactory cell transplant combined with bladder nerve electrical stimulation: University of Bristol
Bladder function is frequently impaired in people living with paralysis and can severely reduce quality of life.
This research will seek to restore urinary continence following spinal cord injury by combining the transplantion of olfactory ensheathing cells expressing chondroitinase ABC into the spinal cord and repeated daily electrical stimulation of sacral bladder nerves using an implanted neuroprosthesis.
A non-invasive ergogenic neuroprosthesis to improve exercise capacity and therapeutic adaptations in individuals with spinal cord injury:
University of Birmingham
Individuals with higher level spinal cord injuries often have reduced levels of cardiorespiratory fitness which in some cases can require dependence on a carer.
This work will investigate whether transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation is capable of improving cardiorespiratory fitness through modulation of cardiovascular and motor functions in individuals with chronic SCI.
"Spinal Research is funding great projects around the world, meaning a great move towards discovery. I can only say thank you for the great opportunity of having an ISRT Studentship award to fund my work."
These three-year awards encourage the development of talented and highly-motivated young scientists in the field of spinal cord repair, in both clinical and basic science research environments.
The PhD degree must be awarded from a UK university and a high priority is given to collaborative proposals between more than one laboratory or institution. The PhD student is recruited to a team that is already established in the field of spinal cord injury research, where they will receive an excellent quality of training and support.
As well as obligations within their own institution, all students are encouraged to attend and present their data at our own Network Meeting in September each year, and at other research conferences.