South Florida VA Foundation for Research & Education

Spinal Cord

Mary Eaton, Ph.D.

Research Health Scientist, Medical Research Service, Miami VAMC

Assistant Professor, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis,  University of Miami

Research Interests: Neurology & Neurobiology, Spinal Cord Injury

Current Research Studies:

Perpetual Human GABA Neural Cell Line for the Treatment of Spasticity after Spinal Cord Injury

A Human Neuronal Cell Line for Treatment of Chronic Pain After SCI

Reversibly Immortalized Chromaffin Cells for Chronic Pain After SCI

Irene Estores, M.D.

Staff Physician, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Miami VAMC

Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine,  University of Miami

Research Interests: Spinal Cord Injury, Rehabilitation

Current Research Studies: 

The Effect of  Tegaserod on Colonic Transit and Bowel Care Time in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Silver Hydrogel Catheters: Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety in SCI

Angelo Gousse, M.D.

Staff Physician, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Miami VAMC

Associate Professor, Residency Program Director, Urology, University of Miami

Research Interests: Urology, Spinal Cord Injury

Current Research Studies: 

Botulinum-A Toxin Injection for Detrusor Hyperflexia in Spinal Cord Injury: A Non-Surgical Approach

Patrick Jacobs, Ph.D.

Research Health Scientist, Spinal Cord Injury, Rehabilitation R&D, Miami VAMC

Assistant Professor, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Neurological Surgery, University of Miami

Research Interests: Spinal Cord Injuries, Rehabilitative Medicine

Current Research Studies: 

Physiological, Functional, and Quality of Life Effects of a Structured Resistance Training Program in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury

Alberto Martinez-Arizala, M.D.

Staff Physician, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Miami VAMC

Associate Professor, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Neurology, University of Miami

Research Interests: Spinal Cord Injuries, Spinal Cord Disorders

Current Research Studies: 

Efficacy of Topiramate in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Associated with Spinal Cord Injury

Mark Nash, Ph.D.

Researcher, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Miami VAMC

Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, University of Miami

Research Interests: Rehabilitation, Biomechanics

Current Research Studies: 

Niaspan Management of Dyslipidemia and Cardiovascular Disease after Tetraplegia

Salome Perez, Ph.D.

Psychologist, Psychology Service, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Miami VAMC

Voluntary Instructor, Psychology, University of Miami

Research Interests: Spinal Cord Injuries, Rehabilitation

Current Research Studies:

Examining the Relationship of Ethnicity and Gender to Maintenance of Functional Independence in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury 

Marca Sipski, M.D.

Chief, Spinal Cord Injury Service, Miami VAMC

Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Miami

Research Interests: Spinal Cord Injuries, Urology

Current Research Studies:

A Laboratory Based Controlled Analysis of Sexual Arousal and Orgasm in Men with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

RR&D Center for Restoration of Function in Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

A Trial of the Use of Vibratory Stimulation to Decrease Spasticity Following SCI

The Use of Oxandrolone to Improve Function in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Refinement of the International Standards of Neurological Classification in Spinal Cord Injury Through the Use of Quantitative Sensory Testing

Eva Widerstrom-Noga, M.D.

Research Associate, Medical Research Service, Miami VAMC

Assistant Professor, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Neurosurgery, University of Miami

Research Interests: Chronic Pain

Current Research Studies:

Functional Recovery in SCI: Validity and Predictive Ability of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory in Persons with Chronic Pain and SCI

Effects of Venlafaxine on Chronic Neuropathic Pain following SCI