Cleveland FES Center

06/26/2026

Look for us at the Expo!

In 1981, 77 heroes gathered to compete in seven events. Now, in two weeks, ~500 athletes will convene in , , for the 45th National Veterans .

This is undoubtedly a milestone anniversary for what has grown into the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event designed exclusively for U.S. military with disabilities, but if you ask those who keep coming back what draws them, the answer is rarely the medals.

So, what motivates hundreds of athletes to participate in this life-changing event every year? Read on to find out: https://bit.ly/4etKitD.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | Detroit VA Medical Center | Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America

06/26/2026

Earlier this week, FES Investigator Imad Najm MD appeared on Fox 8 News Extra discussing the landmark Cleveland Clinic Brain Study recruiting thousands of healthy volunteers over age 50, to better understand pre-symptomatic causes of neurogenerative diseases. Find out more:

Fox 8 anchor Stefani Schaefer has a fascinating conversation with C...

06/24/2026

Congratulations to FES Investigator Dennis Bourbeau, PhD, on being awarded Research & Development - US Department of Veterans Affairs Translational Development funding to develop a device that uses electrical stimulation to restore bladder control for people with spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions.

This innovative research reflects the VA's commitment to improving the lives of Veterans while advancing technologies that may ultimately benefit civilian populations and help shape the future of clinical care.

06/22/2026

We were so proud to host Jeffrey Schall PhD, Professor of Biology at York University and Canada Research Chair in Translating Neuroscience last week! Dr. Schall presented at our Neural Prosthesis Seminar on Thursday, discussing how specific brain waves might be interpreted. Sending thanks to Dr. Schall for an outstanding presentation and to all those in attendance! Watch the replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moPnlzMJjXc

06/18/2026

Please join us in congratulating FES Investigators Emily Graczyk PhD, Nathan Makowski PhD, Varun Sundaram MD,PhD, and Cynthia Kubu PhD on receiving funding from this new program dedicated to innovative applications of ! Research & Development - US Department of Veterans Affairs

06/12/2026

Sending a shoutout to FES member and Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering doctoral candidate Sebastián Correa, featured in a CWRU Newsroom profile article this week. Sebastián is at MetroHealth Old Brooklyn Medical Center researching gait impairments after stroke with an eye to future rehabilitation opportunities. Separately, he saw an opportunity and founded a community organization especially for Latine grad students at Case Western Reserve University and is involved in yet another social organization especially for grad students studying engineering. So inspiring! Learn more about Sebastián:

Sebastián Correa grew up in Pittsburgh, far from the tropical flora and fauna of the Galápagos Islands, but his mamá’s tales of her experiences a...

06/09/2026

Prospective study participants often have lots of questions. For example, what can clinical trial participants expect in the short and long term? We have a full Bioethics Core on board with professionals who can help provide answers to these and many other questions. Find out more about our Bioethics Core at https://pgk.kwr.mybluehost.me/website_d226d4e0/research-and-participants/bioethics/

06/03/2026

The Monday-afternoon poster session at American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2026 Biennial Meeting was one for the record-books, with dozens of posters from FES Investigators and Trainees on display.
A selection of poster topics included:
Using deep-brain stimulation to improve vergence
Using ablative therapy for movement disorders
Music as a rehabilitative therapy in Parkinson's Disease
Evoking touch sensation after spinal cord injury with intracortical microstimulation plus peripheral nerve stimulation
How exercise changes the brain in Parkinson's Disease
Using light to manage pain
Congratulations to all the presenters!

06/01/2026

Day Two of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2026 Biennial Meeting and we've heard from multiple FES Center investigators on the use of implants to reconnect neural pathways, brain computer interface technology, electrodes to restore sensory inputs and upper extremity function, bioethical considerations, and more. Some 800 attendees are attending this outstanding event in our own hometown this year, focusing on functional neuro-technologies.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to FES Investigators Megan Moynahan, Kyle Chepla and Harry Hoyen, members of the KeyGrip Team at MetroHealth on this groundbreaking clinical trial! Visit https://www.keygrip.co/home for details.