Study Investigators
Dr. David Darrow, MD, MPH
Background: Dr. David Darrow is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and is the principal investigator (PI) for the E-STAND Clinical trial. He received bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Mathematics at Texas A&M University, and then completed medical school at University of Texas Medical Branch, in addition to a master’s degree in public health with a focus on biostatistics. His interest in combining his background in mathematics and engineering with reducing human suffering led him to the University of Minnesota.
Research Interests: Dr. Darrow is interested in functional neurosurgery and the treatment of functional diseases of the central nervous system including epilepsy, movement disorders, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and psychiatric diseases. Through his research, he works directly with biomedical engineers to unify noninvasive and invasive forms of neuromodulation with validated, model-based approaches and control theory. He specializes in clinical trials and the application of novel devices and algorithms to optimize and understand neuromodulation approaches to treating
disease.
Why Spinal Cord Research? Through spending considerable time caring for patients at Hennepin County Medical Center, Dr. Darrow has repeatedly experienced the paucity of treatments for patients suffering from spinal cord injury, usually secondary to trauma. Unfortunately, these patients are young, and the devastating consequences of spinal cord injury are long lasting. The aforementioned studies utilizing epidural spinal cord injury to facilitate volitional movement provide a new avenue for which he is able to apply principles of neuromodulation toward improving the lives of my patients and their families.
@daviddarrow on twitter
Dr. Uzma Samadani, MD, PhD
Background: Dr. Samadani has dedicated her career to helping people with brain and spinal cord injury. She has 14 years of clinical and translational research experience providing her with a unique perspective on the relevance and profound need for improved management of profoundly morbid conditions such as spinal cord injury. Her interest in researching epidural stimulation for spinal cord injury stems from a need to be able to help people who are paralyzed and have few options without research trials.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Dr. Samadani performs epidural stimulator implantation surgeries at CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital and the VA hospital. She has seen firsthand the potential in epidural stimulation for functional recovery, and will utilize the resources of the E-STAND laboratory to continue our efforts in bringing this technology closer to practice.
Dr. Aaron Phillips, PhD
Background: Dr. Phillips’ research examines the integrated cardiovascular consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI). Dr. Phillips has extensively researched various drugs to manage autonomic cardiovascular control after SCI, and has become interested in the capacity of neurostimulation to modulate and control autonomic function in this population. Dr. Phillips provides unique expertise in performing translational research of autonomic dysfunction after SCI, as well as in spinal electrical stimulation
Role on E-STAND: Dr. Phillips’ translational background allows him the opportunity to apply his observations in clinical research to preclinical models in order to better understand the mechanisms responsible for autonomic dysfunction and further advance the technology through invasive experimentation. He and his team from the University of Calgary work with the iCORD team from Vancouver as a large collaboration with the E-STAND trial to provide SCI autonomic dysfunction expertise. They direct autonomic examination of the trial participants and analyzes results to elucidate the therapeutic effects of epidural stimulation on autonomic dysfunction.
Dr. Andrei Krassioukov, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Background: Dr. Krassioukov is a Professor of Medicine and Chair of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of British Columbia and a staff physician at the spinal cord injury (SCI) program at the GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre in Vancouver. He is the head of the Autonomic Dysfunctions Laboratory and Co-Director of ICORD, Vancouver. In addition, he is the president of the American Spinal Injury Association. Both Dr. Krassioukov’s research and clinical work are related to spinal cord injury, autonomic dysfunctions and disability issues. Dr. Krassioukov has received a number of recognitions for the best published research in the area of SCI (ASIA Awards 2003, 2014). He developed the International Autonomic Standards after SCI3 , and implemented these standards around the world to improve evidence-informed healthcare practices. His research on the effect of autonomic dysfunction on exercise performance in athletes with SCI has led to the creation of autonomic assessments for athletes, which are currently being proposed to the IPC for inclusion into their classification.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Dr. Krassioukov’s research examines the integrated cardiovascular consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI). Dr. Krassioukov and his iCORD team work with Dr. Phillips and his team from the University of Calgary as the autonomic experts on the ESTAND team. They direct autonomic examination of the trial participants and analyzes results to elucidate the therapeutic effects of epidural stimulation on autonomic dysfunction.
Dr. Ann Parr, MD, PhD
Background: Dr. Parr is a board certified neurosurgeon, with a fellowship in Complex Spinal Neurosurgery and as such, she has a unique perspective on human spinal cord injury (SCI), and the motivation and knowledge required for clinical translation. The overall goal of her research is to develop new therapies for SCI. She is most interested in studying chronic SCI as this is an unmet need in public health, and any advances would have significant impact. Dr. Parr pursued her interest in SCI at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis while she was the David Cahill Fellow in Complex Spinal Neurosurgery. She participated in efforts to secure approval from the FDA for a clinical trial utilizing Schwann cell transplantation.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Dr. Parr is a co-investigator on the ESTAND trial bringing her expertise in SCI research and resources from the University of Minnesota. She makes decisions on subject enrollment and overall study plan.
Dr. Michael Park, MD, PhD
Background: Dr. Park has extensive experience with neuromodulation — deep brain stimulation. This surgical therapy for brain conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia, modulates brain activity to treat symptoms. He also uses neuromodulation to stimulate the spinal cord and to deliver intrathecal drug therapy to treat cancer and chronic pain. This expertise has allowed Dr. Park to provide expertise and guidance to the group as to how the study can progress.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Dr. Park is a co-investigator on the ESTAND trial bringing his expertise in SCI research and resources from the University of Minnesota. He makes decisions on subject enrollment and overall study plan.
Engineering Team
Dr. Theoden Netoff, PhD
Background: Dr. Netoff is a professor in the the Biomedical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota. The Netoff lab focuses on developing tools for optimization of therapies for treatment of epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and autonomic and volitional control with spinal cord stimulation. The lab currently has 7 graduate students and has graduated 5 students with over 19 papers published by graduates students from the lab.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Dr. Netoff and his lab staff are responsible for the selection and optimization of epidural stimulation settings in the E-STAND trial. They rely on Bayesian mathematic modeling to determine optimal settings for both volitional movement and autonomic control for each individual subject based on remote data collection.
Dr. Zixi Zhao, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate
Background: Dr. Zhao received her PhD in CHemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She now is working as a postdoctoral associate at the University of Minnesota on the E-STAND clinical trial
Role on E-STAND Trial: Dr. Zhao works with Dr. Netoff selecting and optimizing device settings for the participants based on their subjective responses to settings and their objective home exercise data.
Clinical Research Team
Dr. David Freeman, MD, PhD
Background: Dr. Freeman earned his MD and PhD from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. His thesis-driven master of science project focused on neurogenesis in the adult murine spinal cord following transient ischemia.
Role on E-STAND Trial: His interest in spinal cord research has brought him to E-STAND. He has works with the individual patients from screening to surgery and all follow ups. He also plays a role in study decision making to determine next enrolled subjects and potential study aims.
Tara Nash, MSN, RN
Background: Tara Nash is the Research Manager for the team. She is responsible for the day to day activities pertaining to the E-STAND study. Tara received her Masters of Science in Nursing from Simmons University and is a registered nurse in the state of Minnesota. Tara brings her nursing experience to the team to ensure there is integration between research and subject experience.
Role on E-STAND Trial: On the E-STAND trial, she is responsible for study administration including patient communication, staff activities, grant administration, protocol maintenance and adherence, patient recruitment, institutional review board communication, and FDA communication.
Aliya Ahmadi
Background: Aliya received a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in May of 2018. She has since been working on the E-STAND trial. Aliya is very interested in medicine and plans to attend medical school in the near future.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Aliya is responsible for patient recruitment, administration of study assessments during appointments, management of grant funding, as well as IRB/FDA correspondence. In addition, she connects patients with research clinicians and engineers to ensure the study is cohesive and advancing in the appropriate direction.
Patricia McCracken, PT, DPT
Background: Patricia McCracken PT, DPT received her BA from Bates College and both her Master’s in Physical Therapy and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Baylor University. She currently serves as a lecturer for the US Army Baylor Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy and works as a clinical researcher for the Center for Veterans Research and Education at the Minneapolis Veterans Health Care System.
Role on E-STAND Trial: Patricia is the research physical therapist and assists with the E-STAND study recruitment, subject screening, and study visits. She provides additional clinical consultation to the study.