Research

Scholarly Inquiry and Research

A culture of discovery is woven into the fabric of our residency program. We believe that every physiatrist should be a critical thinker and a contributor to the advancement of our field. Our integration with the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute provides an unparalleled platform for residents to engage in meaningful scholarly activity.

A Formal Research Curriculum: As part of the core didactic series, residents receive formal training in research methodology, biostatistics, and the critical appraisal of scientific literature. This curriculum provides the foundational knowledge necessary to design and execute a successful scholarly project.

Dedicated Mentorship: Each resident is paired with a faculty mentor early in their training. This mentor, chosen from either the Department of PM&R or the broader scientific community at the RNI, provides guidance throughout the research process, from refining a research question to preparing a manuscript for publication.

Protected Research Time: The residency schedule includes dedicated research time during the PGY-2, PGY-3, and PGY-4 years, providing protected time for residents to focus on their projects without competing clinical demands.

Opportunities for Discovery: Residents have the opportunity to participate in the wide array of research being conducted at the RNI, from clinical trials of new rehabilitation interventions to foundational science projects exploring the mechanisms of neural recovery.
National Recognition and Support: The department provides funding and administrative support for residents whose research is accepted for presentation at major national conferences, such as the annual meetings of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) and the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP).

Optional Physician-Scientist Pathway: For residents with a strong interest in pursuing a career in academic medicine and research, the program offers a dedicated research track. This pathway provides additional protected time and mentorship to develop a competitive research portfolio, preparing the resident for a successful transition to a clinician-scientist career, similar to programs at other leading institutions.

Pioneering Research and Technology at the RNI

Residents at WVU will be exposed to a stunning array of advanced technologies and research initiatives that are redefining the boundaries of neuroscience:

Focused Ultrasound (FUS): The RNI is a global leader in the application of focused ultrasound. Researchers here are conducting groundbreaking work using FUS with microbubbles to temporarily and safely open the blood-brain barrier, a major obstacle in treating neurological disease. This technology is being applied in world-first clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, where it is combined with anti-beta amyloid antibodies to enhance the clearance of plaques from the brain. In another pioneering effort, the RNI led the world's first human trial using FUS to modulate the brain's reward center (the nucleus accumbens) for the treatment of severe substance use disorder, with promising results in reducing cravings. This technology holds immense promise for neuro-restoration and targeted drug delivery for a host of conditions relevant to physiatry.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): DBS is an established, FDA-approved procedure for treating movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, a core patient population in rehabilitation medicine. The RNI team is building on this expertise to study the use of DBS for other challenging conditions, including treatment-refractory substance use disorder, by placing electrodes in the brain's reward center to modulate neural circuits and reduce cravings. Residents will gain an understanding of the application and management of this advanced neuromodulation therapy.

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) and Advanced Neural Implants: In a landmark study, the RNI became the first in the United States to successfully test Precision Neuroscience's novel "Layer 7 Cortical Interface," a thin-film microelectrode array with 1,024 channels that can decode speech and language signals directly from the brain's surface. This research represents a significant leap toward creating artificial speech and language devices for patients disabled by conditions like ALS or stroke. For physiatry residents, this is a frontline view of the ultimate goal of rehabilitation: restoring function through technology when biological recovery is limited.

The Human Operating System (HOS) and Digital Health: The RNI has developed a sophisticated digital ecosystem called the Human Operating System (HOS). This platform integrates data from electronic medical records, wearable devices (smart rings, watches), ingestible sensor pills, and a custom mobile app to provide real-time, personalized health monitoring. Powered by artificial intelligence, the HOS can provide predictive insights and alerts for individuals.