Spinal cord injury research

Making measurable progress in spinal cord injury research.

Pro-SCI proposes rigorous ideas and builds practical solutions alongside the people who live with spinal cord injury.

Two men outdoors, one seated in a wheelchair, laughing together
8
Peer-reviewed publications
19
Team members and alumni
NIH
& NIDILRR-funded research
A wheelchair user on an outdoor trail beside a creek
Science that reaches the trail, not just the journal.
Our purpose

We want to promote impactful science.

By promoting scientific transparency and prohibiting misinformation, we help the community tell the difference between a promising result and a promise. Every study we support publishes its methods, its data, and its limits.

Peer review before press release
Study design led with, not for, participants
Plain-language summaries for every paper

Three research areas that shape every project

More about the lab
01

Therapeutic diets

From ketogenic regimens in acute injury to low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets in chronic SCI — testing how nutrition can improve neurorecovery, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic health.

02

Electrical stimulation

Evaluating whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation can help maintain healthy skeletal muscle size and fiber composition early after SCI.

03

The gut microbiome

Understanding how SCI reshapes gut microbiome composition — and identifying targets like diet, probiotics, and prebiotics to prevent secondary health complications.

The team

Clinicians, scientists, and advocates

Meet everyone
Portrait of Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PhD
Ceren Yarar-Fisher, PhD
Principal Investigator
Portrait of Raquel Minarsch, PT, DPT
Raquel Minarsch, PT, DPT
Senior Clinical Research Coordinator
Portrait of Jia Li, PhD
Jia Li, PhD
Scientist
Portrait of Sana Chahande
Sana Chahande
Medical Student

Have a study, a question, or a result worth checking?

We collaborate with labs, clinics, and community groups. Tell us what you are working on.