CSI Faculty Receive $1.7M for Spinal Cord Injury Research

The New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center Spinal Cord Injury Research Board (CART Research Grant) has awarded faculty members in the College of Staten Island’s Physical Therapy Department major support for their innovative research.

Dr. Maria Knikou received $1,443,000 for her research entitled ” Mechanisms Underlying Locomotor Recovery after Step training in SCI.” The main objective of this research project is to identify through non-invasive electrophysiological techniques the neural mechanisms underlying locomotor recovery in individuals with a spinal cord injury after repetitive step training. This project will promote the establishment of successful rehabilitation strategies of people with an SCI based on neurophysiological data.

Dr. Zaghloul Ahmed received $309,600 for his research regarding the effects of combined magnetic stimulation and acrobatic exercises on an animal model of spinal cord injury. It is hoped that this research may lead to improved care in humans, as spinal cord injuries are devastating and its effects are far-reaching for the individual and their families.

Commenting on the grants, Professor Jeffrey Rothman, PT, EdD, Chairman of the Department of Physical Therapy at the College of Staten Island and co-director of the Clinical Doctorate Physical Therapy Program in the Health Sciences Doctoral Programs at the CUNY Graduate Center, says, “These grants recognize the excellent quality of the College, the program, its faculty, and students. The two faculty who have received this support are outstanding researchers with the primary goal to improve the life of those with an injury to the spinal cord.

“The Department of Physical Therapy at the College of Staten Island/ Graduate Center of CUNY,” Rothman adds, “provides an invaluable service to the community by providing much-needed physical therapists who provide important rehabilitation services for our aging population, developmentally disabled, and the physically challenged throughout the lifespan.”