We are honored to have Dr. Jennifer Morgan joining us for today’s episode! Dr. Morgan is a Senior Scientist and Director of the Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, MA.

She received her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Duke University, where she worked on mechanisms of neurotransmission. She then carried out her postdoctoral studies on membrane trafficking in the Cell Biology Department at Yale University. In 2007, Morgan joined the Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology at The University of Texas at Austin as an Assistant Professor where she expanded her research program to include spinal cord injury and regeneration mechanisms.

Dr. Morgan received her first research grant from the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund, which eventually led to a Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health that is now in its 11th year of funding. While at UT-Austin, Dr. Morgan received several prestigious awards, including a University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (2011) and the Janett Trubatch Career Development Award from the Society for Neuroscience (2011).

In 2012, Dr. Morgan was recruited to the MBL’s Bell Center to expand her research program in regenerative biology. She continues to study the mechanisms of neurotransmission under both normal conditions, as well as with spinal injury and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Morgan is currently one of the co-directors of the NIH-funded courses at the MBL called “Frontiers in Stem Cells and Regeneration”, and she is a standing member on the NIH Neuronal Communications Study Section. Throughout her career, Dr. Morgan has dedicated her efforts to mentoring students and postdocs and advancing diversity and inclusion in the STEM sciences, and she is actively involved in the MBL Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, which she chaired for the last 3 years.

Marine Biological Laboratory: https://www.mbl.edu/

Many thanks to Dr. Morgan for her work and for being our guest on today’s episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In today's episode we sit down with Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP).

Matthew became an advocate and activist on behalf of the SCI community after his son became quadriplegic from a spinal cord injury in 2008. With a background in healthcare management and community organizing his skills were instrumental in passing the SCI/TBI Research Grant Program in 2015. That success led to establishing and leading Unite 2 Fight Paralysis’ Cure Advocacy Network (successfully passing similar legislation in PA, WA and OH) until being hired as Executive Director in 2017. Rodreick is responsible for management and operations of U2FP’s initiatives, staff and mission to expedite cures for paralysis. Roderick has delivered presentations on SCI advocacy strategies at The National Institutes of Health, National Neurotrauma Society, American Spinal Injury Association, Society for Neuroscience as well as other institutions and organizations across the United States and Canada.

Unite 2 Fight Paralysis: https://u2fp.org/

As mentioned in the podcast, here is a link to Gabriel Rodreick (aka Freaque). Gabriel is a talented musician and songwriter whose music is a raw and honest telling of life with a spinal cord injury: https://gabrielrodreick.com/

Thank you again to Matthew for joining us on todays episode! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio and visual experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In this episode we sit down with the inspiring, Bryon Riesch!

In 1998, as a college freshman, Bryon Riesch suffered a severe spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the chest down with very limited use of his arms. Despite his injury, he graduated from Marquette University in 2002. He currently is part owner of R&R Insurance, where his responsibilities include investigating and implementing new ideas and technologies.

He is also one of the founders and serves as President of the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation (BRPF). Dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis, the BRPF provides funding for the latest in medical research and provides assistance to those that suffer from neurological disorders.

In addition to the BRPF, Bryon serves or has served on the Presidential Advisory Board for Carroll University, the Marquette College of Health Sciences Leadership Council, the Neurological Advisory Board at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Advisory Board for the Waukesha Community Foundation. He has also been involved in Goodwill Industries where he received the Goodwill International Graduate of the Year Award. He has been recognized by Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin with their Hope & Spirit Award and given an honorary doctorate in 2011. Finally, Marquette University honored him with the Spirit of Marquette Award in 2018.

Learn more about the amazing work being done by BRPF here: https://brpf.org/

Thank you again to Bryon Riesch for joining us on Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Today we welcome the incredible duo of Jenni & Lori Taylor to the podcast!

Due to a car accident on November 1, 2002, Jenni experienced a C-1/C-2 spinal cord injury. She is paralyzed from the neck down and breathes using a ventilator. Despite her disability, Jenni is incredibly positive and believes that all things happen for a reason. Following the accident, Jenni created a blog to update people on her life and hopefully help others. If you are interested in taking a closer look, we encourage you to check out the link below!

"Positivity overpowers my disability

I’m like a word on a piece of paper

I hear the ocean waves crash against rocks

I see the sun setting on a windy day

I want to do more than I need

and need more than I want

I venture towards those in times of trouble"

- Jenni Taylor

http://thesitethatbreathes.blogspot.com/

Thank you again to Jenni & Lori Taylor for joining us on Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the MCPF you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

We are excited to present Part 2 of our conversation with the joyful and enthusiastic, Tiffiny Carlson!

Tiffiny Carlson is a C6 quadriplegic from Minnesota. She was injured in a diving accident in 1993 at 14 years old. Helping others with spinal cord injuries has been her passion since her accident. She began mentoring other women with SCI in 1996 while in high school, then became a disability writer while attending Augsburg College, graduating with her BA in 2001. She worked as the "SCI Life" columnist for New Mobility magazine from 2003 – 2017 after graduation.

Tiffiny's work has been featured in dozens of publications since 1999, beginning with the pioneering disability site, Halftheplanet.com, and more recently the Huffington Post. In 2010, she began blogging for SPINALpedia, a nonprofit that helps those with new spinal cord injuries, then became their executive director in 2013. In her free time, Tiffiny enjoys cooking, adaptive yoga (she was featured in adaptive yoga videos from Mind Body Solutions), traveling and adaptive skiing. She lives in New Brighton, Minnesota with her fiancé Kevin. No wedding date set.

Tiffiny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffcarlson/

SPINALpedia: https://spinalpedia.com/

Life After Paralysis Podcast: https://anchor.fm/life-after-paralysis

We'd like to offer a special thank you to Tiffiny for her involvement with Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

In today’s episode we are joined by the incredibly talented and enthusiastic Tiffiny Carlson!

Tiffiny Carlson is a C6 quadriplegic from Minnesota. She was injured in a diving accident in 1993 at 14 years old. Helping others with spinal cord injuries has been her passion since her accident. She began mentoring other women with SCI in 1996 while in high school, then became a disability writer while attending Augsburg College, graduating with her BA in 2001. She worked as the "SCI Life" columnist for New Mobility magazine from 2003 – 2017 after graduation.

Tiffiny's work has been featured in dozens of publications since 1999, beginning with the pioneering disability site, Halftheplanet.com, and more recently the Huffington Post. In 2010, she began blogging for SPINALpedia, a nonprofit that helps those with new spinal cord injuries, then became their executive director in 2013. In her free time, Tiffiny enjoys cooking, adaptive yoga (she was featured in adaptive yoga videos from Mind Body Solutions), traveling and adaptive skiing. She lives in New Brighton, Minnesota with her fiancé Kevin. No wedding date set.

Tiffiny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffcarlson/

SPINALpedia: https://spinalpedia.com/

Life After Paralysis Podcast: https://anchor.fm/life-after-paralysis

We'd like to offer a special thank you to Tiffiny for her involvement with Spinal Cast! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

We proudly present Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Ann Parr from the University of Minnesota!

Dr. Parr received both her undergraduate degree and medical degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. She then completed her PhD studies in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury during neurosurgical residency at the University of Toronto. During this time she was affiliated with the Institute of Medical Science and the Clinical Investigator Program. She then received further training in complex spine at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. After her training Dr. Parr came to the University of Minnesota where she is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, as well as the Vice Chair of Research, Medical Director for Spine, Neurotrauma Systemwide Program Lead, and Principal Investigator of the Parr Lab at the Stem Cell Institute. She is Past-Chair of both the Minnesota Neurosurgical Society and the Section for Women in Neurosurgery, a Joint Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Parr is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon and interested in finding new therapies for spinal cord injury. She is also a faculty member in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and the Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Parr's research centers on transplanting neural stem cells grown from a patient's own skin into the injured spinal cord. She has an active translational research laboratory, and is interested in examining mechanisms of functional recovery using techniques such as histology and immunohistochemistry, cell culture, optogenetics and animal modeling.

Special thanks to Dr. Ann Parr for being our guest! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we interview Dr. Ann Parr from the University of Minnesota!

Dr. Parr received both her undergraduate degree and medical degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. She then completed her PhD studies in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury during neurosurgical residency at the University of Toronto. During this time she was affiliated with the Institute of Medical Science and the Clinical Investigator Program. She then received further training in complex spine at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL. After her training Dr. Parr came to the University of Minnesota where she is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, as well as the Vice Chair of Research, Medical Director for Spine, Neurotrauma Systemwide Program Lead, and Principal Investigator of the Parr Lab at the Stem Cell Institute. She is Past-Chair of both the Minnesota Neurosurgical Society and the Section for Women in Neurosurgery, a Joint Section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Dr. Parr is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon and interested in finding new therapies for spinal cord injury. She is also a faculty member in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and the Stem Cell Institute. Dr. Parr's research centers on transplanting neural stem cells grown from a patient's own skin into the injured spinal cord. She has an active translational research laboratory, and is interested in examining mechanisms of functional recovery using techniques such as histology and immunohistochemistry, cell culture, optogenetics and animal modeling.

Special thanks to Dr. Ann Parr for being our guest! This production is a collaborative effort of volunteers working to create a quality audio experience around the subject of spinal cord injury. A special shout out of appreciation to Clientek for providing studio space and top-notch recording equipment. Most importantly, thank YOU for being part of the Spinal Cast audience!

Interested in watching these episodes?! Check out our YouTube playlist! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL40rLlxGS4VzgAjW8P6Pz1mVWiN0Jou3v

If you'd like to learn more about the Morton Cure Paralysis Fund you can visit our website at - https://mcpf.org/

Donations are always welcomed - https://mcpf.org/you-can-help/

Thanks for listening!

The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund is starting a podcast!

These monthly episodes are designed to provide a new and unique perspective on spinal cord injury and the research being done to uncover a cure.

We're excited about what's to come and we hope you'll join us!

Learn more at: https://mcpf.org/