The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) has awarded a prestigious T32 training grant to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, which will allow for continued funding of a previously awarded NBIB T23 project titled “Integrated Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation Training.” 

The training grant, which has supported the work of the neuroprosthesis and neural engineering faculty in the Department of Biomedical Engineering for 20 years, provides researchers with a unique training program that includes world-class engineering research being performed at Case Western Reserve, and several of its medical center affiliates, that is focused on neural stimulation and neural devices. This environment provides for extensive interactions with clinical collaborators in rehabilitation, neurology, and neurosurgery, as well as a very strong commercialization component. 

Led by Jeffrey Capadona, a professor of biomedical engineering and Research Career Scientist in the Advanced Platform Technology Center at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, the continued funding will facilitate several innovative elements. These include focused instruction in preparing grant proposals, the development of unique new virtual reality-based neuroanatomy instruction methods, the establishment of an external advisory board to review the academic components of the program while also deepening relationships with prominent industrial leaders. Additionally, the funding will aid in establishing a tighter linkage to the Coulter Translational Research Program in the Department of Biomedical Engineering to promote entrepreneurial activities for the trainees.

(From The Daily, 9/11/2020)