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Committed to finding a cure for paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury and to seeing millions worldwide walk again, the Buoniconti family established The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis in 1992. The Buoniconti Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise funds and awareness to help The Miami Project achieve its primary focus; to repair and restore function to the injured and diseased nervous system, thereby improving the quality of life to patients throughout the world.
41st Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner to be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at the New York Hilton in New York City. For sponsorships and tables, call 305-243-4656.
Philanthropist Lois Pope Gives $10 Million to the University of Miami to establish a fund for neuroscience research in memory of her daughter and will focus on research into Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases and disorders
The gift will name the Lois Pope Laboratory Wing in Memory of Lorraine Pope in the Lois Pope LIFE Center.
We’re delighted to share some spectacular news with you. The Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial was named the number 1 rehabilitation hospital in Florida and South Florida by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026–2027 Best Hospitals rankings. The Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project was also ranked number 15 in the entire nation.
This extraordinary recognition is a testament, first and foremost, to the visionary generosity of Christine E. Lynn, whose transformative lead gift brought this world-class facility to life. It also reflects the unwavering commitment of the many doctors, therapists, researchers, donors and supporters whose belief in the center’s mission and vision made this remarkable achievement possible.
The Miami Project presents Meet the Researcher, a periodic video series where each video introduces a new researcher. We will hear from the brilliant up and coming scientists and researchers that are part of The Miami Project’s dynamic international team.
Watch our Faculty Highlight video.
Director of Education and Outreach, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery
Understanding and treatment of secondary complications of SCI; community research partnership
Scientific Director, The Miami Project
Kinetic Concepts Distinguished Chair in Neurosurgery
Senior Associate Dean for Discovery Science
Co-Director, Institute for Neural Engineering
Professor, Neurological Surgery, Neurology, Biomedical Engineering and Cell Biology
Neuroprotection and Improved Recovery of Function following Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
Biomaterial Approaches for Spinal Cord Repair
PARALYSIS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.
Watch our stories of hope and inspiration from a few of our researchers and participants as they live and fight paralysis.
Dr. Deena Cilien, DPT, PT, is a graduate of the University of Miami's top-ranked clinical physical therapy program and currently works as one of our resident neuro physical therapists, specializing in spinal cord injury.
I chose to participate because I think it's pretty neat being part of finding a cure for something that is so big and affects so many lives.
I first fell in love with The Miami Project in 1986, while volunteering as one of the first research participants. I continue to return to participate in studies.
I suffered a spinal cord injury in 1983. The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis really made a difference in my life.
Jerrod, was paralyzed in a car accident on his way to work a few years ago. He was left a T-12 paraplegic as a result of the incident.
Faces of Paralysis subject, Jazzmin, was diagnosed as a teenager with Neuromyelitis optica which occurs when immune system cells and antibodies attack the optic nerves and the spinal cord.
Richard was paralyzed as a result of a motorcycle accident on the way home that left him with a C-2 incomplete injury.
As part of June's recovery process at The Miami Project, she has been participating in research training programs to improve outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury.
September is National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month – a time to honor people living with spinal cord injury, recognize their families and caregivers, and celebrate the researchers working to improve lives and advance recovery.
At The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, decades of discovery have helped move the field from understanding spinal cord injury to testing promising therapies in people. Today, our scientists and clinicians are advancing neural repair and regeneration, neuromodulation, brain-computer interfaces, rehabilitation, and other emerging approaches—many already moving toward or underway in clinical trials.
SCI Awareness Month is a reminder of why this work matters. Progress is possible because of years of discovery, collaboration, and the extraordinary commitment of people living with spinal cord injuries who participate in research. While much remains to be done, there has never been greater reason to believe in what science can make possible.
New University of Miami Miller School of Medicine research shows that Schwann cell–derived exosomes significantly improve recovery after severe peripheral nerve injuries, but offer little benefit for milder nerve damage.
Peripheral nerve injuries can dramatically affect movement, sensation and quality of life, yet treatment options remain limited. This is especially true for severe injuries involving large gaps in damaged nerves.
New research led by University of Miami Miller School of Medicine neurosurgeons Allan Levi, M.D., and Shelby Burks, M.D., suggests that a promising experimental therapy may work best when matched carefully to the type of injury.
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine recently served as a focal point for international efforts to advance neuromodulation and neurotechnology for spinal cord injury and showcased The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s contributions.
International experts convened at the University of Miami to examine how neuromodulation and neurotechnology are reshaping spinal cord injury (SCI) research, clinical trials and patient‑centered care.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the Miller School’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)-funded South Florida SCI Model System co-hosted a multi‑day scientific symposium bringing together researchers, clinicians, engineers and individuals with lived experience of SCI.