Studying spinal cord injury from the first days to the long run.
The Pro-SCI Lab at The Ohio State University studies the pathophysiology of traumatic spinal cord injury in the acute and chronic stages — developing novel nutritional and rehabilitation strategies to improve neurorecovery, metabolic function, and microbiome composition.
The questions we’re asking
Can the ketogenic diet improve neurorecovery by decreasing neuroinflammation in the acute stages of SCI?
How does macronutrient modification impact insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and muscle signaling for glucose utilization in the chronic stages of SCI?
Can neuromuscular electrical stimulation help maintain healthy skeletal muscle size and fiber phenotype early after SCI?
How does SCI-induced distorted gut microbiome composition impact metabolic and bowel health outcomes after SCI?
Can we identify therapeutic targets such as diet, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, or fecal microbiome transplants to prevent secondary health complications of SCI?
We integrate SCI demographics, clinical and experimental data, metagenomics, and metabolomics into one comprehensive database — a more complete health picture, and better treatment and prevention strategies for every stage of SCI.
See the researchImpactful, fun, and only possible together.
This kind of work is possible because of our diverse group of scientists working side by side. We inspire each other by freely sharing our data, our expertise, and — most importantly — our ideas. Pro-SCI lab members believe science works best to produce novel insights when influenced by diverse ideas from individuals working together.
Empowerment-oriented, culturally sensitive, excellence-driven.
Dr. Yarar-Fisher strives to ensure that all mentees — including under-represented racial and ethnic minorities and international students — feel supported in their quest for a satisfying and successful career, and confident in their skills and contributions. She encourages independence by introducing trainees to resources that help them thrive on their own, and invites them to take an active role in designing, planning, and executing experiments and interpreting results.
By the end of their training, her trainees can design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments — and interpret the findings — on their own. The lab intentionally harnesses its collective interests toward one goal: contributing discoveries in SCI and improving quality of life for those impacted by the injury, while recognizing and celebrating diverse backgrounds and identities.
Meet the teamColumbus, OH
The fantastic city of Columbus (Go Buckeyes!) — innovative arts scenes and a booming tech industry.
Birmingham, AL
The Magic City — the only place in the world where all three raw ingredients for steel (coal, limestone, and iron ore) occur naturally within a ten-mile radius.