TIRR Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of Mission Connect’s 2024 grant cycle.  The eleven investigations launching this year are funded by Mission Connect’s Founders Award and the Robert Allan Shivers, Jr. Integrating Perspectives in Neurotrauma Research Award (IP Award).  

The following Mission Connect researchers are receiving a $100,000, 2-year grant through the Founders Award:

Argy Stampas, MD, MS

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Vivally® for Spinal Cord Injury Neurogenic Bladder: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation pilot trial

David Meyer, MS, MD

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Long-Term Outcomes for Randomized, Controlled Trial of Hemodynamic Management

Anibal Garza Carbajal, PhD

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

L-type voltage-gated calcium channel blockers as a novel therapeutic target to alleviate neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

Dylan McCreedy, PhD

Texas A&M University

Elucidating the sex-dependent roles of neutrophils in functional recovery after spinal cord injury

Jeffrey Yau, PhD

Baylor College of Medicine

Intracortical microstimulation for artificial bimanual touch

Dimitry Sayenko, MD, PhD

Houston Methodist

Optimizing Corticospinal Connectivity through Non-Invasive Neuromodulation following Spinal Cord

Justin Lee, PhD, MD

Baylor College of Medicine

Optimization of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as a potential therapeutic for spinal cord injury

Chuansheng Zhang, D, SC

Baylor College of Medicine

Cell-type specific inhibition of proteolysis for neuroprotection 

Diana SL Chow, PhD

University of Houston

Unlocking Riluzole's Potential in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Care: Integrated Covariate Analysis, Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling, and App Development for Acute Spinal Cord Injury Care

The following two Mission Connect researchers are receiving a $200,000, 2-year grant through the IP Award:

Pramod Dash, PhD

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Contribution of epigenetic methylation to TBI pathophysiology

Cedric Geoffroy, PhD

Texas A&M University

Locomotor, Cognitive and Colonic Functions Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury Through Treatment with Naturally Occurring Gut Metabolite Kynurenic Acid