Praxis Spinal Cord Institute

02/13/2026

🎉 Milestone Alert!

The Special Issue of Frontiers in Neurology, edited by Praxis’ Dr. Nader Fallah and Dr. Vanessa Noonan, has surpassed 100,000 views!

Featuring 15 articles from 114 authors, the collection highlights new insights in SCI outcomes and the growing role of AI & machine learning in predicting recovery and long-term independence — powered by global data, including the Praxis-led Canadian SCI Registry (RHSCIR).

Thank you to our network for helping this milestone happen and supporting SCI research worldwide!

Learn more: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/52347/epidemiology-evidence-based-care-and-outcomes-in-spinal-cord-injury/magazine

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life altering condition that has a profound effect on an individual’s motor, sensory and autonomic functions which impacts their ability to participate in society and decreases their quality of life. There are emerging innovations that can help restore neurological fu...

02/12/2026

At a September webinar hosted by the FES Cycling Community of Practice, longtime users Ray Royer and Laimons Plumite shared how FES cycling has helped them rebuild strength, improve circulation and sleep, reduce spasticity, and stay active after spinal cord injury.

Ray credits FES with regaining muscle, core strength, and confidence, while Laimons highlights its role in maintaining muscle mass, reducing spasticity, and boosting energy. Both emphasize: every improvement matters — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Watch the webinar recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zQmAP_mfe8

02/11/2026

Today we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

From classrooms to labs to leadership roles, women and girls are shaping discovery, innovation, and the future of science.

Their ideas matter. Their work matters. Their voices matter.

Let’s keep building pathways, removing barriers, and supporting the next generation of scientists today and every day.

02/10/2026

uRSAW Storytelling competition FES cycling CoP

Congratulations to Natalie Vanidour, winner of the University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Artistic Works (uRSAW) Storytelling Competition! 🎉

Her video, Pedaling Forward: Development of a CoP for Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling, shares powerful stories of how FES cycling helps people re-engage with exercise in meaningful ways while supporting both physical and mental well-being.

Praxis is pleased to celebrate Natalie’s achievement and the inspiring work highlighting the impact of neurorestorative therapies in the SCI community.

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ursaw-initiative-usask_pedaling-forward-development-of-a-cop-for-activity-7424118921537978371-l45V/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACr2iWUBUiWNLNjW_YVuSzEDQRN-v1_vwwY

02/09/2026

Innovation moves faster when the right ideas get support.

Praxis Spinal Cord Institute sits down with Tatiana Place from Bowhead Corporation, a member of the cohort, to talk about turning bold ideas into real-world impact for people living with spinal cord injury.

💡 Through the six-month accelerator, Bowhead gained valuable insights from end users and clinicians that helped them rethink product strategy, simplify their website and order forms, and focus on usability and accessibility beyond just technical features.

From product development to navigating the realities of scaling health innovation, it’s a candid look at what it takes to move SCI solutions forward.

👉 Read the full conversation: https://praxisinstitute.org/in-conversation-with-praxis-sci-accelerate-cohort-member-bowhead/

02/06/2026

🔔 ICYMI
The Praxis Neuro Next Fund is rethinking how we invest in disability-focused innovation — shifting the focus from short-term pilots to long-term, scalable impact.

In this article, Arushi Raina explores why a new investment model is needed to better support innovators building solutions shaped by lived experience and real-world needs. It’s a thoughtful look at how capital, collaboration, and intention can work together to move disability innovation forward.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/praxis-neuro-next-fund-new-way-invest-disability-arushi-raina-mmv0c/

02/05/2026

Access to SCI-specific education shouldn’t depend on location.

This webinar series brings together Praxis Spinal Cord Institute and clinicians from GF Strong Rehab Centre to provide SCI-specific education tailored for regional, rural, and remote health care practitioners.

Hosted by James Hektner and Shannon Rockall, the series features rotating clinical experts who share practical insights, evidence-informed approaches, and real-world experience to support consistent, confident SCI care across settings.

🎥 Watch the full webinar series here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc_c0Uolrok2Tk3TQ0YEPgLC2Lvspf94T&si=6nTSs6ihyDEbR-ro

02/04/2026

The 3rd Neuromodulation of Spinal Cord Injury Conference is almost here (Feb 5–6)!

Praxis’ Dr. Vanessa Noonan will moderate a session with Dr. Alexander Rabchevsky on "Enhancing Research Methodology in Neuromodulation Trials." If you’re attending, don’t miss it.

The conference brings together leaders across neuroscience, rehabilitation, engineering, industry, advocacy, and policy to advance neuromodulation for people living with SCI—covering innovative trial designs, mechanistic insights, lived experience perspectives, bioethics, and cross-sector partnerships.

Learn more and view the agenda here 👉 https://web.cvent.com/event/858760ba-bdd9-45ed-8d84-1b016cca2c37/websitePage:467f9017-3724-4851-870c-6a05a2dc09c8

Thank you to the Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the South Florida SCI Model Systems, and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis for organizing this event.

02/03/2026

Don’t miss out on these exciting topics in ABT!

Join us virtually for the Canadian Activity-Based Therapy 2026 Expo on February 27th to learn about:

👉 New sensor-based technologies for tracking rehabilitation activities with Dr. José Zariffa.
👉 Putting evidence to practice: Striving for High Aerobic Intensity in ABT with Dr. Kristin Musselman and Dr. Anita Kaiser.
👉 The CIME Program: A Clinical–Research Integrated Program to Implement Neuromodulation and Activity-Based Therapy in Subacute Spinal Cord Injury Care with Dr. Dorothy Barthelemy & more!

You also won’t want to miss the panel discussion on barriers and solutions for accessing ABT in Canada, which features People with Lived Experience of SCI, Clinicians, Researchers, and Community Clinics!

Register now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WZ9wfhsSSfqrpPwnygMRJQ

02/02/2026

The recent Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT) course brought together more than 75 clinicians and researchers for two intensive days of hands-on training in cutting-edge spinal cord MRI methods.

Participants gained practical experience using validated, open-source tools to quantify structural and pathological changes in spinal cord imaging—skills that are critical to advancing more sensitive and reliable biomarkers of tissue integrity, degeneration, and repair.

The SCT toolkit was downloaded over 100 times following the event. Praxis is pleased to sponsor the course and to contribute imaging data that supported the development of new SCT features through the Praxis-led National Canadian SCI Registry’s Imaging Repository.

By strengthening technical capacity and promoting reproducible methods, the course meaningfully advanced high-quality SCI research and accelerated progress toward future neuro-restorative therapies.
@
Find more information on the Spinal Cord Toolbox here: https://spinalcordtoolbox.com/stable/
Or check out this recording of the course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzEKwu9xUNk

01/31/2026

Innovation isn’t about introducing something new. It’s about solving a real problem that truly matters.

In this episode of our Gore Mutual series, Ean Price of Technology for Living joins Arushi Raina and Tathagata Ray from Praxis to explore how meaningful climate solutions are built by intentionally centring lived experience.

The conversation highlights why the most impactful technology isn’t created for innovation’s sake, but grounded in dignity, safety, and the real needs of people most affected by the changing climate.

🎥 Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-vTCzqGlxA

01/30/2026

Accurate classification supports better care and research.

Did you know there is now an app for ISNCSCI? The newly introduced ISNCSCI Algorithm app supports clinicians in calculating motor and sensory impairment and SCI severity and is now available for free.

👇Follow the link below to download on Apple App Store and Google Play.
https://praxisinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ISNCSCI-Algorithm_postcard_final.pdf