Tucked away in an unassuming hallway of Atwell Hall on Ohio State’s medical campus hides the Rehab Lab . Upon entering, the air is filled with joyous concentration as Dr. Wengerd and her team conduct a study with patient Shane Goddard. Paralyzed in the arms, he pinches clips, moving them from surface to surface as the team assesses his success. The team, which is made up of engineers, data scientists, and occupational therapists, works as one unit to analyze the data being produced just feet away. Ultimately, that is what Dr. Wengerd’s new space provides: collaboration. Funded by the ‘ Department of Defense Congressionally directed medical research Program/Spinal Cord Injury Research Program’ , Dr. Wengerd’s current study focuses on patients with quadriplegia. “We use [the technology] to try to restore hand function in people who have spinal cord injuries,” Dr. Wengerd explained. The study measures muscular electroactivity and clinical outcomes to determine a change in progress over a period of time. The hope is that, after further results, the technology will be able to be used in patient homes, allowing them more independence in their everyday lives. Already, results are appearing. Shane stated, “Through this clinical trial… after regaining strength and mobility in my right hand, it makes me continue to attempt new things outside the clinical trial.” He went into further detail explaining how, through successfully completing various exercises in the study, Shane transferred those positive outcomes into his everyday life, prompting him to attempt new, previously daunting, movements. For example, just the night before, he successfully picked up his iPad, something he would have never attempted without participating in the study. These incredible outcomes are propelled by the research space Dr. Wengerd and her team are creating. The large, open space is intended to be interdisciplinary, having multiple labs in one space. “We can all learn from each other and build off of each other,” Dr. Wengerd explained. Historically, research was conducted in a smaller room, only allowing for one research participant at a time. However, the new space allows for the study to run multiple participants at a time, making a more collaborative and social atmosphere. She stated, “we want people to feel like they can build off of each other’s energies,” and undoubtedly, the space has accomplished this. Providing adequate resources to both researchers and patients conducting research studies is crucial to the development of necessary medical technology. With results already apparent, the excitement is palpable in Dr. Lauren Wengerd’s Rehab Lab. At its core, the lab promotes collaboration amongst professionals and patients, allowing for important changes to be made in real time. The research at NeuroTech Institute quickly propels lives forward, instilling hope and ultimately reshaping neurotechnology.

NeuroTech Institute is excited to announce our new research location at the newly constructed Pelotonia Research Center (PRC). Located at 2255 Kenny Road, PRC is made up of 305,000 square feet filled with new facilities and resources for integrative research across multiple fields. Just next door, our administrative team is located at the Energy Advancement and Innovation Center. Both buildings are some of the first to open at Ohio State's developing innovation district, Carmenton; a space dedicated to fueling growth in the central Ohio region. We are thrilled to have our team working so closely together and look forward to using this cross-disciplinary environment to facilitate collaborative problem-solving.  Being fully embedded with clinical disciplines like psychiatry, neurology, and radiology, as well as hard sciences like engineering and cell biology creates an atmosphere of cross-pollination that will accelerate innovation. NTI will be able to collaborate with talented physicians and experts from various fields which is crucial in the development of disruptive and transformative technologies that can solve real-world problems. In addition, the parking is extremely close to the building!

At its core, Neurotech Institute is driven by a team of dedicated experts who believe in the importance of developing the deserved level of technology for those suffering from neurological conditions. Among those experts is Dr. Sarah Anderson, an occupational therapist and Post-Doctoral Fellow specializing in pediatric and neurological rehabilitation. “My goal is always to help people live their lives fully and safely within their homes and communities,” she stated. At NeuroTech Institute, Dr. Anderson works with principal investigator Dr. Lauren Wengerd researching neurorehabilitation via a novel EMG/FES neuro-orthosis device. Specifically, Dr. Anderson works directly with participants by delivering therapeutic activities in conjunction with the device, improving motor skills and assessing the difficulty of each action. Ultimately, the goal of her research is to have a direct impact on the patients’ lives such as improving physical and cognitive neurorehabilitation, home and community safety, and rehabilitation and assistive technologies. As a student, Dr. Anderson described being frustrated with the inaccessibility of technology due to slow research advancements in the field. “Now, as a post-doctoral fellow at OSU and NTI, I am able to capitalize on all the supports available to me as a researcher at OSU and combine them with the outcomes-focused initiative at NTI to accelerate my research and hopefully make a broader community impact,” she explained. As a Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dr. Anderson and others alike are incredibly valuable to our mission. We are constantly looking for more brilliant and unique minds who seek to fill the gaps left behind by current medical technology. If you or anyone you know are interested in learning more about how to participate in NeuroTech Institute’s mission, please reach out to innovation@neurotechinstitute.org.

NeuroTech Institute is honored to welcome Dr. Lin Du as the newest member of our NeuroTech research team. Joining us as Principal Investigator, Dr. Du brings extensive knowledge of the development of multiscale medical systems and human health monitoring and has a passion for improving the quality of lives of those suffering from neurological diseases through innovative solutions. Our collective mission will allow her to work closely with patients, physicians, and field experts to translate her discoveries of important practical medical solutions: “This collaborative environment is crucial in the development of disruptive and transformative technologies,” Dr. Du stated. Before she joined the NeuroTech team, Dr. Lin Du received her Ph.D. in Electrical and Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Following her doctoral studies, she researched the integration of DNA and semiconductor techniques at the University of California, Berkley to help develop a point of care sepsis diagnostic platform. In her new role at NeuroTech Institute, Dr. Du will lead innovative research on micro-nano implantable medical systems for paralysis patients, DNA technologies for pathogen diagnoses, and the use of DNA nanostructures to repair damaged neurons for those suffering from neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Du’s dedication and expertise are vital to our continued mission of maximizing human potential and we look forward to having her join our team: “I am committed to bridging the gap between engineering and medicine, with the goal of developing biomedical systems that not only enhance human health monitoring but also […] save lives.”

Dr. Keiser’s interest in neuroscience began at the age of 11 when she witnessed her grandmother’s invisible battle of early-onset Alzheimer’s; “…it really got me thinking about how mysterious and powerful the brain [is.]” To this day her goal is to improve the lives and futures of patients with neurological disabilities through neurological innovation. Originally from Iowa, Dr. Keiser attended the University of Iowa where she received both her Bachelors in Integrative Physiology and her doctorate in Neuroscience under Dr. Beverly L. Davidson. Here, Dr. Keiser stated, is where she “learned that a scientist can be successful and innovative while still being empathetic and kind.” With her research on AAV-based therapies for neurodegenerative disorders and past leadership as Director of Translational Neuroscience at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, her extensive expertise in the neuroscience field plays a crucial role at NeuroTech Institute. As Principal Investigator specializing in gene therapy, Dr. Keiser works with other members of the NeuroTech research team to scientifically translate specific problems faced by the patient into specialized, practical medical solutions. Some projects Dr. Keiser will be working on include the use of optogenetics in combination with the integration of a budding novel device to reanimate the muscles of patients with paralysis. Additionally, she will be working on a project that uses extracellular vesicles as a non-viral vehicle for various gene therapies to assist in the healing of both chronic traumatic brain and spinal injuries. Dr. Keiser’s dedication to compassionate innovation is essential to NeuroTech Institute and our commitment to revolutionizing neurotechnology. Her specialization in gene therapy allows us to better understand the patient and develop life-changing medical treatments faster. As Dr. Keiser stated, “knowledge opens up a whole new world.”

Join us in welcoming Dr. Lauren Wengerd to the NeuroTech Institute team! Dr. Wengerd is an Assistant Professor who brings with her a wealth of knowledge in neurotechnologies for rehabilitation. In her new collaborative role, she will be working with engineers, data scientists, and other healthcare professionals to conduct clinical trials and investigate neurotechnologies for people with paralysis and other neurological impairments. As an occupational therapist specializing in neurorehabilitation, Dr. Wengerd has worked extensively with a variety of neurological conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Her current work primarily focuses on using electromyography (EMG) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) to restore hand and arm function in adults with upper extremity paralysis. "I was drawn to the NeuroTech Institute because of its commitment to innovation and its focus on developing cutting-edge technologies for people living with neurological conditions," Dr. Wengerd said. Collaborating with other like-minded individuals to break down barriers to clinical translation was inspiring to her, and joining the NTI team gives her the opportunity to share her passion of improving the lives of others while bringing new solutions for neurological conditions to market faster. “My patients have always been my 'why,' and I feel confident that working in the Neurotech Institute will enhance my ability to make meaningful change."