My research in the Ren Lab focuses on spinal cord injury recovery, where the direct stakeholders can be like patients with spinal cord injuries, healthcare providers, and researchers developing treatments, while the indirect stakeholders are policymakers, rehabilitation centers, and the broader medical community. My connection to this issue comes from my academic background in neuroscience and my clinical volunteering, where I’ve seen the long-term challenges patients face after severe injuries. Most existing research emphasizes cellular and molecular mechanisms but often overlooks patient-centered perspectives on recovery and quality of life. I hope to bring more attention to the human side of these injuries through connecting lab findings and patient experiences to real-world patient needs. I hope to learn more about the clinical aspect as well as the physical aspects of patient care and helping bridge the gap between research and its direct impact on patients’ lives. – Samuel Salib
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