Grant Recipients
2024 Research Grant Recipients
21st Century
A Quantitative Blood Test for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Co-Primary Investigators: Tej Azad, MD, MS; Nicholas Theodore, MD, MS; Chetan Bettegowda, MD, PhD; Lee Riley, III, MD
Johns Hopkins University
Dietary Intervention over Microglial Activation and Progression of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in a Mouse Model
Primary Investigator: Pia Vidal, PhD
Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción; Krembil Research Institute
Seed Starter
The Creation of a Digital Spine Consultant Using Large-Language Models
Primary Investigator: Srikanth Divi, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Image Analysis of Patients Undergoing Laminoplasty
Primary Investigator: Brian Goh, MD
Emory University
Dynamic Imaging, Electrophysiological and Cardiovascular Tests for Evaluation of Individuals with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Prospective Pilot Study
Primary Investigator: Julio Furlan, MD, LLB, MBA, MSc, PhD
Lyndhurst Centre, KITE Research Institute, University Health Network
Resident/Fellow
Bioengineering Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles to Target and Protect Neurons in Spinal Cord Injury
Primary Investigator: Jose Castillo, MD
UC Davis Medical Center
Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Inflammation, Bone Metabolism, and Fusion after Posterolateral Fusion in Type 2 Diabetes
Primary Investigator: Rajkishen Narayanan, MD
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University
Prospective Assessment of Sleep Patterns of Surgically Treated Cervical Myelopathy in the Perioperative Period
Primary Investigator: Stephen Barchick, MD
Emory University
Defining Sleep Pattern Dysregulation in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Primary Investigator: Travis CreveCoeur, MD
Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medical Center
Additional Topics
20-Year Comparison of Long-term Differences in Dysphagia: Cervical Arthroplasty and Anterior Cervical Fusion
Primary Investigator: Rick Sasso, MD
Indiana Spine Group
2023 Research Grant Recipients
21st Century
Surgical Approaches for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Impact of Radiographic Characteristics on Pain, Disability, Functional Status, and Quality of Life via an Analysis of the Quality Outcomes Database
Columbia University
Primary Investigator: Andrew Chan, MD
Does Axial Cervical Pain Improve with Surgical Fusion?
Thomas Jefferson University
Primary Investigator: James Harrop, MD, MSHQS
Seed Starter
Investigation of the Altered Lipid Metabolism in the Intervertebral Disc Under Dyslipidemia
University of Maryland
Primary Investigator: Joe Kodama, MD, PhD
Defining the Severity and Need for Advanced Swallow Studies for Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Cervical Disc Replacement
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Philip Louie, MD
In Vivo Changes in Disc Stress and Stiffness After One- and Two-Level Cervical Arthrodesis
University of Pittsburgh
Primary Investigator: Jeremy Shaw, MD, MS
Resident/Fellow
Exploration of Appropriate Combinatorial Rehabilitation With Neural Circuit Modification Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Krembil Research Institute
Primary Investigator: Soichiro Takamiya, MD, PhD
Use of Tractography and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Primary Investigator: Adam Leibold, MD
Accuracy and Safety of Robot-Assisted Cervical Pedicle Screw Placement: A Cadaveric Study
Hospital for Special Surgery
Primary Investigator: Greg Kazarian, MD
Spinal Cord Injury Research
The Potential Association Between the APOE Æ4 Gene and the Development of C5 Palsy After Surgical Treatment for Degenerative Cervical myelopathy: A Pospective Case-control study.
KITE Resarch Institute (University Health Network), University of Toronto
Primary Investigator: Julio Furlan, MD, LLB, MBA, MSc, Ph
2022 Research Grant Recipients
21st Century
Analysis of Piezo1-Dependent Mechanotransduction in Spinal Fusion and Pseudoarthrosis
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Primary Investigator: Ganesh Shankar, MD
Seed Starter
Sleep Quality in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy
Texas Back Institute
Primary Investigator: Alexander Satin, MD
Quantifying and Classifying Quality-Associated Waste in the Care of Cervical Myelopathy
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Primary Investigator: Ahilan Sivaganesan, MD
Resident/Fellow
Patient Preoperative Health Confidence and Postoperative Outcomes After Cervical Spine Surgery: A Quantitative Analysis
Northwestern University
Primary Investigator: Erik Gerlach, MD
Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) in Cervical Spine Surgery: Establishing MCID for NIH PROMIS Assessments and Development of Machine Learning Algorithms For Prediction of MCID After Cervical Spine Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital
Primary Investigator: David N. Bernstein, MD, MBA, MEI
The Comparative Effect of NSAIDs and Opioids on Spinal Fusion: A Rodent Model
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Primary Investigator: Mark Lambrechts, MD
Motorized Cervical Traction Versus Weight and Pulley Traction: A Cadaveric Biomechanical Comparison
University of Utah
Primary Investigator: Brandon Sherrod, MD
Spinal Cord Research
Therapeutic Effect of Immunoreceptor CD300a Blockade for Acute Spinal Cord Injury
University of Tsukuba
Primary Investigator: Hiroshi Takahashi, MD, PhD
2021 Research Grant Recipients
21st Century
Conventional-therapy & FES-therapy In-Veritas Effects Study (C-FIVE Study): Rehabilitation of the upper extremity for new persistent C5 palsy after surgical treatment of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network; University of Toronto
Primary Investigator: Julio Furlan, MD, MBA, MSc, PhD
Glycemic dysfunction in a cervical model of rodent spinal cord injury
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Bernadette Grayson, PhD
Seed Starter
Objective functional status changes following decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Emory University
Primary Investigator: Sandra Hobson, MD
Resident/Fellow
Osteogenic effects of varenicline: an in vitro study of human mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute
Primary Investigator: Brian Karamian, MD
Using Ecological Momentary Assessment and Digital Phenotyping to Create a Novel Cervical Radiculopathy Disease Profile
Washington University in St. Louis
Primary Investigator: Jacob Greenberg, MD, MSCI
The Effect of Cervical Orthoses on Intervertebral Kinematics
University of Pittsburgh
Primary Investigator: Stephen Chen, MD
A Patient Centered Quantitative Analysis of Preoperative Expectations and Postoperative Satisfaction in Cervical Fusion
Northwestern University
Primary Investigator: Nicholas Arpey, MD
Spinal Cord Research
The impact of timing of surgery on neurological and functional outcome in traumatic spinal cord injury: a prospective, observational multicenter study (D-SCIRET: Database of Spinal Cord Injury on Recovery and Evaluation of Timing)
Leiden University Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Charlotte Adegeest, MD
2020 Research Grant Recipients
21st Century
Quantitative histomorphological characterization of human cervical nerve roots to determine the relationship with postoperative C5 palsy
Department of Neurosurgery, Georgetown University Medical Center
Primary Investigator: P. Justin Tortolani, MD
Exploring prognostic brain biomarkers for cervical myelopathy: A resting-state functional MRI multicenter study
Osaka University
Primary Investigator: Takashi Kaito, MD, PhD
Seed Starter
Randomized Trial of Opioid vs. Non-Opioid Postoperative Pain Regimens After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Amir Abtahi, MD
3D Printed 2D Piezoelectric Materials to Deliver Stem Cells for Bone Repair and Regeneration
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Primary Investigator: Silvia Minardi, PhD, MS
Resident/Fellow
Assessing global upper extremity function before and after decompressive surgery in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).
University of California, Irvine
Primary Investigator: Angie Zhang, MD
Radiographic Evaluation of the Cervical Neck Surgical Approach and Its Relationship with BMI and Operative Characteristics following ACDF.
Rush University Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Michael Nolte, MD
Prediction of Admission Costs following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Utilizing Machine Learning
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Primary Investigator: Anirudh Gowd, MD
The Role of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Intervertebral Disc Neurogenic Inflammation: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Discogenic Pain
Jefferson University/Rothman Institute
Primary Investigator: Jose Canseco, MD
2019 Research Grant Recipients
2019 21st Century Research & Education Grant
Regeneration of Cervical Relay Circuits after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Principal Investigator: Michael Fehlings, MD
Amount: $75,000.00
2019 21st Century Research & Education Grant
Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury With Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Exosomes
Principal Investigator: Ankit Mehta, MD
Amount: $74,999.24
2019 Resident/Fellow Grant
Cervical Spine Research Society-Cervical Stiffness Disability Index (CSRS-CSDI): A Novel Cervical Scoring System Quantifying the Effect of Post-Arthrodesis Stiffness on Patient Quality of Life
Principal Investigator: Andrew Jack, MD
Amount: $12, 139.83
2019 Resident/Fellow Grant
Microstructural imaging and mechanistic microRNA biomarkers to assess the severity of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy and to predict the outcomes of surgery; a combined quantitative imaging and serum biomarker approach.
Principal Investigator: Jamie Wilson, MD
Amount: $15,000.00
2019 Resident/Fellow Grant
Can Circulating microRNAs Predict Severity and Progression in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy?
Principal Investigator: Srikanth Divi, MD
Amount: $14,451.80
2019 Seed Starter Grant
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Reduce Chronic Opioid Use Prior to Elective Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Andrew Pugely, MD
Amount: $24,645.00
2019 Seed Starter Grant
Space Available for the Cord During Pre-hospital Management of the Cervical Spine Injured Patient
Principal Investigator: Laura Zdziarski-Horodyski, MD
Amount: $25,000.00
2018 Research Grant Recipients
2018 Medtronic
Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure Management in Acute Cervical SCI
Principal Investigator: Brian Kwon, MD
Amount: $100,000
2018 21st Century Research and Education Grant
New Approaches in Salamanders as Platforms for Uncovering Spinal Cord Regeneration Factors
Principal Investigator: Kimberly Johnson, MD
Amount: $75,000
2018 Seed Starter Grants
Is Vaporized Nicotine as Detrimental to Spinal Fusions as Cigarette Smoke?
Principal Investigator: Jesse Bible, MD
Amount: $25,000
CT Osteoabsorbptiometry Assessment of Subchondral Bone Density Predicts Intervertebral Subsidence in a Human Cadaver Model
Principal Investigator: Matthew Colman, MD
Amount: $25,000
Morphological, Biochemical and Biomechanical Characterization of Human Cervical Endplate in Degenerated Disc
Principal Investigator: Yongren Wu, PhD
Amount: $25,000
Assessment of Variation in Preoperative Expectations and Subsequent Fulfillment for Patients Undergoing Elective Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Inamullah Khan, MD
Amount: $25,000
Reorganization of Brain Architecture and Networks as Biomarkers for Cervical Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Ammar Hawasli, MD
Amount: $25,000
Resident Fellow Grants
Evaluating the Influence of Impaired Cervical Cord Blood Perfusion on Clinical Severity of Cervical Myelopathy Using Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI
Principal Investigator: Shuo Niu, MD
Amount: $14,400
Advanced Quantitative MRI to Measure Cervical Cord Tissue Injury and Predict Outcomes
Principal Investigator: Muhammad Ali Akbar, MD
Amount: $14,319
2017 Research Grant Recipients
2017 Medtronic
Randomized, Controlled Trial of Posterior C1-2 Fusion Versus Bracing Alone for Treatment of Type II Odontoid Process Fractures in the Elderly
Principal Investigator: Christopher Kepler, MD
Amount: $72,000
2017 21st Century Research and Education Grant
Biodegradable Microspheres and Hydrogel Drug Delivery System of Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics for the Treatment of Chronic Degenerative Disc Disease
Principal Investigator: Ana Chee, PhD
Amount: $75,000 (year one of two years totaling $150,000)
2017 Seed Starter Grants
Exosomes from Hypoxic Pre-conditioned Bone Marrow Stem Cell Media for Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Principal Investigator: Ankit Mehta, MD
Amount: $25,000
Development of an Innovative Diagnostic Tool for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Using Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Elicited by Proprioceptive Stimulation: A Proof-of-Concept Pilot Study
Principal Investigator: Julio Furlan, MD
Amount: $24,993
Effect of Cervical Decompression Surgery on Neuromuscular Control and Kinematics During Gait in Adult Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Ram Haddas, PhD
Amount: $24,999
2017 Resident Fellow Grants
Factors that Influence the Prevalence and Severity of Urologic Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Elective Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Lieberman, MD
Amount: $11,900
Evaluation of C1-C2 Biomechanics: Comparison of Facet Distraction and C1-C2 Arthrodesis
Principal Investigator: Michael Karsy, MD
Amount: $12,150
2016 Research Grant Recipients
2016 Medtronic
The Confounding Burden of Psychological Impairments in Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Peter G. Passias, MD
Amount: $50,000
Analysis of the Human Serum Proteome in Cervical Radiculopathy Patients to Predict Who Will Fail Conservative Treatment and Require Surgery
Principal Investigator: Steven Presciutti, MD
Amount: $50,000
2016 21st Century Research and Education Grants
Resveratrol as a Therapeutic to Reverse the Adverse Effects of Cigarette Smoke on Bone
Principal Investigator: Erin L. Hsu, MD
Amount: $74,981.00
Exploration for Novel Molecular Biomarkers of Acute Spinal cCord Injury
Principal Investigator: Masao Koda, MD
Amount: $45,000
2016 Seed Starter Grants
Loss of Range of Motion Following Cervical Fusion: Effect on Activities of Daily Living Kinematics and Patient Satisfaction
Principal Investigator: Kevin Bell, PhD
Amount: $25,000
Evaluation of Gait Recovery and Energy Expenditure Following Decompression and Stabilization for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Hamid Hassanzadeh, MD
Amount: $10,400
2016 Resident Fellow Grants
In Situ Tissue Engineering Approach to Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
Principal Investigator: Sapan Gandhi, MD
Amount: $15,000
Prevalence of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in Elderly Patients with Fragility
Principal Investigator: Samuel Adams, MD
Amount: $15,000
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Principal Investigator: Zachary NaPier, MD
Amount: $14,944
Comparisons of Anterior and Posterior Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy – A Propensity Score Matched Analysis Using AOSpine CSM International Database
Principal Investigator: So Kato, MD
Amount: $15,000
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Feasibility and Efficacy of a Web-Based Calculator as a Shared Decision-Making Tool for Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Ahilan Sivaganesan, MD
Amount: $14,995
2015 Research Grant Recipients
2015 21st Century Research and Education Grants
2nd Year – Therapeutic Approaches to Protect against Ischemia/reperfusion Injury Following Surgical Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy(CSM): A Potential Solution to Attenuate Perioperative Neurological Complications following Decompressive Surgery
Principal Investigator: Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Pia M. Vidal, BS, PhD, Spyridon K. Karadimas, MD, PhD, Joannis K. Kallitsis
Amount: $75,000
PLA2-Responsive Multifunctional Micelles for the Targeted Treatment of Pinful Radiculopathy
Principal Investigator: Beth A. Winkelstein, PhD
Zhilang Cheng, Andrew Tsourkas, PhD
Amount: $75,000
2015 Seed Starter Grants
Elucidating Metabolite Changes in the Spinal Cord of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM) Patients using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Principal Investigator: Izabela Aleksanderek
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $25,000
A Randomized Trial of Early Home Exercise versus Usual Care after Anterior Decompression and Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Spine Conditions
Principal Investigator: Rogelio A. Coronado, PT, PhD
Kristin R. Archer, DPT, PhD, Clinton J. Devin, MD, Joseph S. Cheng, MD, MS, Oran S. Aaronson, MD
Amount: $25,000
2015 Resident Fellow Grants
Driving after Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Saqib Hasan, MD
Afshin Eli Razi, MD, Yong H. Kim, MD, Themistocles S. Protopsaltis, MD
Amount: $15,000
Prospective Comparason of NIH PROMIS Physical Function, Upper Extremity and Pain Interferance Item Banks in Patients with Cervical Spine Complaints
Principal Investigator: Sravisht Iyer, MD
Han-Jo Kim, MD, Jayme C. Burket, PhD
Amount: $15,000
Improvement in Grip and Pinch Strength Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Procedures
Principal Investigator: Daniel D. Bohls, MD, PhD
Benjamin C. Mayo, BA, Junyoung Ahn, BS, Kern Singh, MD
Amount: $1,400
Vitamin D Levels in Subaxial Cervical Fusion: Prospective Study of Fusion with Subjective and Radiographic Outcomes
Principal Investigator: Vijay Ravindra, MD
Meic H. Schmidt, MD, John Kestle, Erica F. Bisson, MD, Joel MacDonald, Robert S. Hood, Mark Mahan, Jakub Godzik
Amount: $15,000
2014 Research Grant Recipients
2014 21st Century Research and Education Grants
Chemokine-Directed Homing of Peripheral Blood Mobilized Stem Cells to Enhance Cervical Spine Fusion
Principal Investigator: Kevin Baker, PhD
Daniel K. Park, MD, Jeffrey S. Fischgrund, MD
Amount: $75,000
The Effects of Peri-Operative Steroids on Dysphagia following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind Study
Principal Investigator: Sanford E. Emery, MD, MBA
John C. France, MD, Scott D. Daffner, MD
Amount: $47,371 (year two of two years totaling)
2014 Seed Starter Grants
Can Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevent or “Rescue” Intervertebral Disc Cells from the Inflammatory Changes Associated with Disc Degeneration?
Principal Investigator: Christopher K. Kepler, MD, MBA
D. Greg Anderson, MD, Dessislava Markova, PhD, John Koerner, MD
Amount: $23,500
Disc Regeneration: Evaluation of Growth and Differentiation Factor-5 (GDF-5; BMP14) Production and Expression Pathways in Human Disc Cells Exposed to Proinflammatory Cytokines
Principal Investigator: Helen Gruber, PhD
James H. Norton, PhD, Edward N. Hanley, Jr., MD
Amount: $25,000
2014 Resident Fellow Grants
Elucidating the Interaction between Marrow-Derived Stem Cells and Calcium Phosphate-based Graft Materials in a Chimeric Rat Model of Posterolateral Fusion
Principal Investigator: Okezie Aguwa, MD
Kevin Baker, PhD, Jeffrey S. Fischgrund, MD, Daniel K. Park, MD
Amount: $15,000
A Single Blind, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Local Steroid Application versus Intravenous Steroids on Dysphagia Following Anterior Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)
Principal Investigator: Reuben Nair, MD
Jason Savage, MD, Alpesh A. Patel, MD, Wellington K. Hsu, MD
Amount: $15,000
Patients that Develop a Post-Operative C5 Palsy will Demonstrate Evidence of both Edema and Demyelination while Patients with Severe or Permanent Deficits will have Significant Loss of Axonal Density
Principal Investigator: Ammar H. Hawasli, MD, PhD
Wilson Z. Ray, MD, K. Daniel Riew, MD, Neil M. Wright, MD, Sheng-Kwei (Victor) Song, PhD, Michael P. Kelly, MD
Amount: $15,000
Creating a Neuronal Relay in the Injured Spinal Cord with Human Neural Stem Cells Derived from Embryonic Stem Cells
Principal Investigator: George M. Ghobrial, MD
James S. Harrop, MD, Itzhak Fischer, PhD
Amount: $15,000
2013 Research Grant Recipients
2013 21st Century Research and Education Grant
Therapeutic Approaches to Protect Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Following Surgical Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Potential Solution to Attenuate Perioperative Neurological Complication Following Decompressive Surgery
Principal Investigator: Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $75,000
2013 CSRS Seed Starter Grants
Evaluating Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM) through Novel Sensitive Upper Limb and Gait Assessments: Elucidating the Mechanisms of Disrupted Manual Dexterity and Locomotion in Humans
Principal Investigator: Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan, MD
Spyridon Karadimas, MD, Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $25,000
Osteogenic Gene Expression of Autograft Bone Harvested During Spine Surgery and After in vitro Culture
Principal Investigator: Brandon Lawrence, MD
Darrel S. Brodke, MD, Sarina Sinclair, PhD
Amount: $24,750
C2 Fractures in the Elderly: Complications, Costs and Regional Variations
Principal Investigator: Adam Pearson, MD
Brook I. Martin, PhD, MPH; Todd Albert, MD
Amount: $25,000
2013 CSRS Resident Fellow Grants
Evaluation of Metabolic Changes with NSAID Treatment on Intervertebral Disc Matrix
Principal Investigator: Tiffany Dugan, MD
James Kang, MD, Gwendolyn Sowa, MD/PhD, Nam Vo, MD
Amount: $15,000
Therapeutic Approaches to Protect Against Vascular Dysfunction and Neural Injury in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Spyridon Karadimas, MD, Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $15,000
The Use of Purified Heparan Sulfate in Combination with a Heparin-Binding Biodegradable Nanogel to Reduce the Requirement for Exogenous BMP-2 in Spinal Fusion
Principal Investigator: Michael Nickoli, MD
Wellington K. Hsu, MD, Erin L. Hsu, PhD
Amount: $15,000
Evaluation of Spinal Cord White Matter in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Before and After Decompression using Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey B Stambough, MD
Amount: $15,000
2012 Research Grant Recipients
2012 21st Century Research and Education Grant
The Effects of Peri-Operative Steroids on Dysphagia following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind Study
Principal Investigator: Sanford E. Emery, MD
Scott D. Daffner, MD
Amount: $75,136 (year one of two years totaling $109,756)
2012 Seed Starter Grants
Ameliorating the Inflammatory Response to BMP-2 with a BMP Binding Protein
Principal Investigator: Michael D. Daubs, MD
Samuel S. Murray, MD, Jeffrey C. Wang, MD
Amount: $25,000
Improving Patient Safety During Management of Spine Trauma
Principal Investigator: Bryan P. Conrad, PhD
MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, Gianluca Del Rossi, PhD, Mark Prasarn, MD, Glenn R. Rechtine, II, MD
Amount: $25,000
2012 Resident Fellow Grant
Is Postoperative Bracing Beneficial following One and Two level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) using Allograft and Anterior Cervical Plate? A Prospective, Randomized Study
Principal Investigator: Evan O. Baird, MD
Sheeraz A. Qureshi, MD, MBA, Andrew C. Hecht, MD, Samuel K. Cho, MD, Steven M. Koehler, MD
Amount: $14,900
2011 Research Grant Recipients
2011 21st Century Research and Education Grants
Determination of the True 5-year Incidence of Adjacent Segment Disease after Total Disc Arthroplasty for Cervical Myelo-radiculopathy at One and Two Levels
Principal Investigator: Pierce D. Nunley, MD
Ajay Jawahar, MD, Darrel S. Brodke, MD
Amount: $80,715
A Novel Bioengineered Biomaterial to Treat Painful Neural Trauma via Modified Thrombin Activity for Improving Neuronal Function & Treating Pain
Principal Investigator: Beth A. Winkelstein, PhD
Paul Janmey, PhD
Amount: $75,000
2011 Seed Starter Grant
Timing of Local versus Distal Transplantation of Human Neuronal Stem Cells following Spinal Cord Injury
Principal Investigator: Ivan Cheng, MD
Amount: $25,000
2011 Resident Fellow Grants
Neuroprotective Effects of Riluzole to Enhance Recovery in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Spyridon K. Karadimas, MD
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $15,000
Relationship Between Pre-Operative Expectations and Post-Operative Outcomes and Satisfaction in Cervical Spine Surgery
Principal Investigator: Alexandra Soroceanu, MD
Mitchel Harris, MD, Kevin McGuire, MD
Amount: $15,000
Surgical Training using Three-Dimensional Real-Time Navigation in Placement of Cervical Lateral Mass Screws
Principal Investigator: S. Tim Yoon, MD
John M. Rhee, MD, Daniel Park, MD
Amount: $12,000
2010 Research Grant Recipients
2010 21st Century Research and Education Grants
High-Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Alpesh A. Patel, MD
Eun-Kee Jeong, PhD
Amount: $40,530; year 2 of 2 years
Novel Use of Individualized Genomics to Screen and Predict Adjacent Level Degeneration after Cervical Spine Fusion
Principal Investigator: Ahmad Nassr, MD
Matthew P. Abel, MD, Bradford L. Currier, MD, Michael J. Yaszemski, MD, PhD, Mark B. Dekutoski, MD, Paul Huddleston, MD, Peter S. Rose, MD
Amount: $75,000; Duration 2 years
2010 Seed Starter Grant
Investigation of the Neuroprotective Effects of Thioredoxin for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
Principal Investigator: Eftekhar Eftekharpour, PhD
Soheila Karimi-Abdolrezae, PhD, Brian J. Schmidt, MD, Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $25,000
2010 Resident Fellow Grants
Determinants of Outcomes from Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Development of a Novel Classification System to Facilitate Clinical Trials and Improved Therapeutic Strategies
Principal Investigator: Jeffrey R. Wilson, MD
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $15,000
In-hospital Complications Related to Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: National Experience Before and After FDA Approval
Principal Investigator: Sergiy Nesterenko, MD
Richard L. Skolasky, ScD, Lee H. Riley, III, MD
Amount: $15,000
A Comparison of Complications and Reoperation following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Cervical Total Disc Arthroplasty
Principal Investigator: Michael P. Kelly, MD, K. Daniel Riew, MD, Nelson F. Soohoo, MD
Amount: $15,000
Ultrastructural Manifestations of Normal Aging in Human Cervical and Lumbar Intervertebral Discs
Principal Investigator: Ricardo BV Fontes, MD
Edson A. Liberti, PhD, Vincent C. Traynelis, MD
Amount: $15,000
2009 Research Grant Recipients
2009 21st Century Research and Education Grants
High-Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principal Investigator: Alpesh A. Patel, MD
Eun-Kee Jeong, PhD
Amount: $40,530 Duration: 2 years
In Vivo Mechanics of Pain Resolution following Conservative Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
Principal Investigator: William Anderst, MS
James D. Kang, MD, William F. Donaldson, MD, Joon Y. Lee, MD
Amount: $62,304 Duration: Year 2 of 2 years 2009 Provisional Approval
In Vivo Quantification of Adjacent Level Cervical Disc Integrity following Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion and Laminoplasty: A Matched Pair Analysis and Comparison using T1rho-weighted MRI
Principal Investigator: Joshua D. Auerbach, MD
K. Daniel Riew, MD, Baron S. Lonner, MD
Amount: $35,000 Duration: Year 2 of 2 years 2009 Provisional Approval
2009 Seed Starter Grant
Validation of Cervical Spine Surgery Simulation
Principal Investigator: Paul A. Anderson, MD
Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD
Amount: $29,701 Duration: 1 year
2009 Resident Fellow Grants
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of the Injured Human Spinal Cord: An Assessment of Recovery and Functional Plasticity
Principal Investigator: David W. Cadotte, MD
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $14,980 Duration: 1 year
Atlanto-Axial Kinematics: Is Motion Preservation at C1-C2 Possible in Cases of Congenital or Acquired Atlanto-Axial Instability?
Principal Investigator: Kyle Mitsunaga, MD
Robert Hart, MD
Amount: $15,000 Duration: 1 year
Dizziness Associated with Cervical Spondylopathy: Prevalence and Outcome Following Surgical Intervention
Principal Investigator: Jon T. Willie, MD, PhD
Neill M. Wright, MD, Timothy Huller, MD, Ian Dorward, MD
Amount: $15,000 Duration: 1 year
2008 Research Grant Recipients
2008 21st Century Research and Education Grants
In Vivo Mechanics of Pain Resolution following Conservative Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy
Principal Investigator: William Anderst, MS
James D. Kang, MD, William F. Donaldson, MD, Joon Y. Lee, MD
Amount: $62,304; Duration: 2 years
In Vivo Quantification of Adjacent Level Cervical Disc Integrity Following Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion and Laminoplasty: A Matched Pair Analysis and Comparison Using T1rho-weighted MRI
Principal Investigator: Joshua D. Auerbach, MD
K. Daniel Riew, MD, Baron S. Lonner, MD;
Amount: $35,034.05; Duration: 1 year
2008 Seed Starter Grants
A Comparison C1-C2 Transarticular Screw Placement after Self-education and Mentored Education of Orthopaedic Residents
Principal Investigator: John Kirkpatrick
Amount: $22,100; Duration: 1 year
Economic Impact of Early Surgical Decompression after Traumatic Cervical SCI: Cost-effectiveness and Cost-utility Analyses using Ontario-based Health Costing Data
Principal Investigator: Julio C. Furlan, MD, PhD, MBA
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $25,477; Duration : 1 year
2008 Resident Fellow Grants
T2 Mapping as a Noninvasive Biomarker for Degeneration of the Intervertebral Disc
Principal Investigator: Harvey E. Smith, MD
Todd J. Albert, MD, William B. Morrison, MD
Amount: $15,000; Duration : 1 year
Defining Neural Precursor Cell-Host Interactions to Optimize Repair of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Principal Investigator: Gregory Hawryluk, BSc, MD
Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD
Amount: $14,852.32; Duration : 1 year
2007 Research Grant Recipients
2007 21st Century Research and Education Grants
The Role of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUCB-MSC) in Cervical Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
Yejia Zhang, MD, PhD, D. Greg Anderson, MD Philadelphia, PA
Amount: $32,500
Novel Imaging Approach Using 3D Stress MRI to Detect Altered Biomechanics in Patients with Evoked Neck Pain
Beth A. Winkelstein, PhD, Jayaram K. Udupa, PhD, Alan S. Hilibrand, MD,
James M. Schuster, MD, PhD
Amount: $60,310
The Delphi Trial-I (RCT)2: International Randomized Clinical Trial of Rheumatoid Craniocervical Treatment Intervention Prognostic (cost-)Effectiveness Trial Comparing ‘Early’ Surgery with Prolonged Conservative Treatment
W. C. Peul, MD, Jasper F. C. Wolfs, Michael G. Fehlings, MD, PhD, Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, Marcel Dvorak, MD, PhD, Alan S. Hilibrand, MD
Amount: $50,000
2007 Seed Starter Grants
High-Resolution Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of the Cervical Spine Cord in the Setting of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Alpesh A. Patel, MD, Darrel S. Brodke, MD
Amount: $18,750
Resorbable Polymer Nanocomposites as Structural Bone graft Substitutes in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Harry N. Herkowitz, MD, Rangaramanujam M. Kannan, PhD, Kevin C. Baker, MS
Amount: $16,573.50
2007 Resident Fellow Grant
Assessment of Tumor Metastasis by Multi-Modality Imaging of a Novel Isolated Metastatic Spine Disease Model
Shen-Ying (Richard) Ma, MD, Francis H. Shen, MD, Theresa A. Guise, MD,
Bijoy K. Kundu, PhD
Amount: $13,000
2006 Research Grant Recipients
2006 21st Century Research and Education Grants
The Role of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUCB-MSC) in Cervical Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
Principle Investigator: Yejia Zhang, MD, PhD
D. Greg Anderson, MD
Amount: $32,500
Duration: 2 years
New Imaging and Diagnostic Modalities: A New Technique of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Assessment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Principle Investigator: Armin E. P. Curt, MD
Marcel F. Dvorak, MD, FRSC, Alex L. McKay, PhD
Amount: $65,932
Duration: 1 year
Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor Suppresses Neuronal and Glial Apoptosis and Promotes Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury
Principle Investigator: Masao Koda, MD, PhD
Sumio Goto, MD, PhD, Akihiko Okawa, MD, PhD, Masashi Yamazaki, MD, PhD
Amount: $33,400
Duration: 1 year
2006 Seed Starter Grants
The Adjunctive Effect of a Binding Peptide on Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) in a Rat Spinal Fusion Model
Principle Investigator: Jeffrey C. Wang, MD
Ahmet Alanay, MD, Samuel S. Murray, MD
Amount: $24,432
Duration: 1 year
Novel Elastic Scaffold for Intervertebral Disc Tissue Regeneration
Principle Investigator: Xudong Joshua Li, MD
Francis H. Shen, MD, Yuqing Wan, MS, PhD
Amount: $25,000
Duration: 1 year
2006 Resident Fellow Grant
Clinically Insignificant Epidural Hematoma following Elective Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion
Principle Investigator: James A. Sanfilippo, MD
Amount: $15,000
Duration: 1 year
2005 Research Grant Recipients
Medtronic Sofamor Danek Named Research Grant
The Delphi Trial – I(RCT)^2: International Randomized Clinical Trial of Rheumatoid Craniocervical Treatment. An Intervention-Prognostic Trial Comparing ‘Early’ Surgery with Natural History.
Principle Investigator: W.C. Peul, MD
Secondary Authors: J.F.C. Wolfs, MD, M. Boers, MD, PhD (The Netherlands)
Award Amount: $30,000.00
DePuy Spine Named Research Grant
Neural Peptides in vitro Improve Metabolism and Proliferation Disc Cartilage Cells Principle Investigator: Paul A. Anderson, MD
Secondary Authors: Karen Myung, MD, Ray Vanderby, PhD (Madison, WI)
Award Amount: $30,000.00
Synthes Spine Named Research Grant
White Matter Fiber Tracking and Assessment of White Matter Integrity in the Cervical Spinal Cord – Pilot Study
Principle Investigator: Henning Voss, PhD
Secondary Authors: Roger Hartl, MD, Francis W. Gamache, Jr., MD, Aziz M. Ulug, PhD, Douglas Ballon, PhD (New York, NY)
Award Amount: $30,000.00
Aesculap Named Research Grant
Promotion of Spinal Cord Repair and Regeneration in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy by Targeting the Fas Pathway
Principle Investigator: Wen-Ru Yu
Secondary Authors: Michael G. Fehlings, MD (Toronto, Canada)
Award Amount: $29,154.92
Stryker Named Research Grant
Cell Based Gene Therapy to Promote Regeneration of the Intervertebral Disc in the Rabbit
Principle Investigator: Yejia Zhang, MD, PhD
Secondary Authors: Frank M. Phillips, MD (Chicago, IL)
Award Amount: $29,746.00