Event Date
VIVIAN MUSHAHWAR, PH.D.
Canada Research Chair in Functional Restoration
Professor, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine
Director, Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network
Director, Smart Technology (ST) Innovations
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta
Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/Neuroeng-Med-Mar
ABSTRACT
Spinal cord injury leads to devastating losses of function, most prominent of which is the loss of the ability to stand and walk. Our lab has been investigating ways to tap into spinal networks below and above the level of injury to restore standing and walking. In this talk, I will describe two of our engineering and rehabilitation efforts for activating spinal networks: one focused on a micro-implant for restoring standing and walking after severe spinal cord injury, and one focused on the engagement of neural networks throughout the spinal cord after moderate and mild spinal cord injury. The outcomes to date have been very promising, compelling us to begin the path for translating the interventions to the clinic.
BIO
Dr. Vivian Mushahwar is the Director of the SMART Network and ST Innovations. She is also a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Functional Restoration and a Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta.
Her work focuses on developing intelligent wearable and implantable neural prostheses that restore mobility and prevent secondary complications. She also focuses on developing creative rehabilitation interventions that are both efficacious and cost-saving. She pioneered the development of micro-implants for stimulating the spinal cord to restore standing and walking after paralysis, as well as the development of the wearable garments, Smart-e-Pants and the SOCC (Smart Ongoing Circulatory Compressions), for preventing pressure injuries and deep vein thrombosis, respectively.
Dr. Mushahwar has spun off Biotechnology and Health Innovations Inc. (Bio HI) and co-founded two other spin offs, Prev Biotech and DepthSee.