Our team of scientists, researchers, clinicians and staff work tirelessly to achieve extraordinary scientific progress in our quest to find a cure for paralysis.
The Education department provides information about research programs, clinical studies, resources for living with paralysis, rehabilitation resources, clinical care referrals, and advice on worldwide investigational treatments and research. They also offer educational tours, lectures and additional outreach events to promote scientific awareness.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis was co-founded by Barth A. Green, M.D., world -renowned neurosurgeon, and Nick Buoniconti, NFL Hall of Fame linebacker after Nick’s son, Marc, sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game.
Research at The Miami Project has changed the landscape of knowledge and therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.
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.
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.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery and Medicine
Understanding the signaling pathways that regulate axon growth, and identifying components of those pathways that can be targeted with drugs to induce robust axon regeneration
Scientific Director
Neuroprotection and Improved Recovery of Function following Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
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.
Neuromodulation is a rapidly growing field of research that is exploring the use of electrical stimulation to modulate the activity of the nervous system. This approach has shown promise in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated center of excellence at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, has several faculty members conducting research on the use of neuromodulation to improve motor function in people with SCI and other neurological conditions.
New research at The Miami Project indicates that there is a bidirectional relationship between the brain and the gut. This means that people with existing gut conditions—like colitis or irritable bowel syndrome—may exhibit an increased vulnerability to develop a neurodegenerative condition like Alzheimer’s Disease or cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke. Interestingly, people with existing neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease, or who have suffered a stroke, are also more likely to develop gut related disorders.