Spinal Cord Injury Research

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From 2015 to 2018, I worked across three labs at Central Michigan University studying therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injury, with a focus on mesenchymal and neural stem cell transplantation. The work progressed from entry-level research assistance to an independent honors capstone with two peer-reviewed publications.

What we were trying to do

Spinal cord injury results in permanent motor and sensory deficits because the adult central nervous system has minimal capacity for self-repair. The labs I worked in were investigating whether transplanted stem cells could create a more permissive environment for recovery, by secreting growth factors, myelinating damaged axons, or bridging the injury site.

Positions and progression

Neuroscience Research Assistant | Dunbar & Rossignol Labs, Field Neurosciences Institute (2016-2017)

Contributed to multiple projects evaluating mesenchymal and neural stem cell transplantation strategies, including SDF-1 chemokine therapy to guide cell migration to the injury site. Worked alongside graduate researchers performing cell culture, post-mortem tissue analyses, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and behavioral assessments. Assisted with manuscript development, including figure preparation and literature review.

Senior Honors Capstone | Rossignol Lab, Program in Neuroscience (2017-2018)

Designed and evaluated gradient transplantation of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) overexpressing mesenchymal stem cell grafts for motor recovery in a rat model of complete spinal cord transection. Performed cell culture, tissue preparation, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, and animal behavioral testing. Contributed to experimental design, data analysis, and figure preparation for publication. Awarded the CMU Undergraduate Research & Creative Endeavors Grant.

Chemistry Research Assistant | Jensen Lab (2015-2016)

Investigated enzymatic mechanisms involving nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) electron carriers. Developed foundational proficiency in organic chemistry techniques, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectrometry.

Publications

Stewart AN, Kendziorski G, Deak ZM, et al. Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells that Overexpress NT-3 Produce Motor Improvements without Axonal Regeneration following Complete Spinal Cord Transections in Rats. Brain Research. 2018;1699:19-33.

Stewart AN, Kendziorski G, Deak ZM, et al. Co-Transplantation of Mesenchymal and Neural Stem Cells and Overexpressing Stromal-Derived-Factor-1 for Treating Spinal Cord Injury. Brain Research. 2017;1672:91-105.

Presentations

Deak ZM, Kendziorski G, Stewart AN, Dunbar GL, Rossignol J. Engineering Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Overexpress Neurotrophin-3 as a Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury. Capitol Scholars Exhibition, Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, MI. March 2018.

Deak ZM, Kendziorski G, Stewart AN, Dunbar GL, Rossignol J. Transplantation of Neurotrophin-3 Overexpressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Rostral and Caudal to the Epicenter Following Spinal Cord Injury. CMU Student Creative Research & Endeavors Exhibition, Mount Pleasant, MI. April 2018.