Kessler Foundation researcher Guang Yue, PhD, has received a 5-year, $735,000 grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to train doctoral-level rehabilitation researchers.

The grant funds an Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) Project in Rehabilitation Neuroscience and Engineering in partnership with Rutgers University, to help improve overall health and function of individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal (NM-MSK) diseases and injuries.

“The need for rehabilitation scientists continues to grow, underscoring the increasing demand for postdoctoral research training programs,” states Yue, director of Human Performance and Engineering Research at Kessler Foundation, in a media release.

“Fellowship training at Kessler Foundation allows talented postdoctoral fellows to gain research experience while learning the skills necessary to pursue a career in a rehabilitation-related field. Our fellows complete at least one independent research project and two collaborative research projects studies, with access to the latest technologies, such as robotics, virtual reality, 3D printing, and brain imaging. They have opportunities to present their findings to professional and consumer audiences, and submit papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Most importantly, they participate in writing extramural grant proposals, including their own grant applications,” he adds.

“By funding these fellowships, the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research supports the education of specially trained scientists who can conduct rigorous clinical studies aimed at improving the lives of people recovering from serious illnesses and injuries,” says Steven Kirshblum, MD, chair of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, senior medical officer of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and the Foundation’s chief medical officer, per the release.

“Kessler Foundation, in partnership with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, provides the ideal environment for inspiring young professionals to pursue meaningful and productive careers in rehabilitation research.”

[Source(s): Kessler Foundation, EurekAlert]