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Bladder dysfunction resulting from neurological disease or spinal cord injury can have a devastating clinical impact.

Our goal is to understand the complex interactions involved in the systems-level neural organization and control of bladder and urethral function. We use this information to develop neural prostheses or rehabilitative techniques that interface with the nervous system and restore genito-urinary function at the earliest opportunity.

Our research interests are focused in four parallel areas:

• Basic neurophysiology studies to discover and characterize the neural pathways involved in bladder and urethral function.
• Translational research projects to develop methods to conduct investigations in humans and lead to clinical implementation.
• Clinical studies in individuals with and without neural dysfunction.
• Neural engineering studies to design and develop neural prostheses appropriate for the expected clinical applications.

Research Programs

• Electrical Activation of Afferent Nerves to Restore Bladder Function
• Producing micturition by combined afferent and efferent electrical stimulation
• Development of a muscle-powered piezoelectric energy convertor.

Co-Investigator Programs

• Ohio Neurostimulation and Neuromodulation Partnership, National Institutes of Health
• Enhancing Neuroprosthesis Performance with Cuff Electrodes, National Institutes of Health
• Electrical Treatment of Reflex Incontinence, Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service
• Development and testing of a novel device for diagnosis of urinary incontinence.
• Development of a muscle powered cardiac assist device, NASA

Publications (Select)