Oral Presentations 7
Tracks
Breakout 6
| Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| 2:45 PM - 4:00 PM |
Overview
Neuromodulation, Regeneration, and Emerging Biomarkers
Presenter (only the submitting author is listed below; co-presenters, where applicable, will be listed in the conference app)
Prof Mary Galea
Professorial Fellow
The University of Melbourne
Functional electrical stimulation reduces myelin abnormalities in peripheral nerves after spinal cord injury.
Biography
Professor Mary Galea, AM FAHMS FACP, is a physiotherapist and neuroscientist whose research in basic and clinical neuroscience has contributed to understanding the organisation and development of the motor system and its recovery from injury following nervous system disorders such as spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. She is Professorial Fellow in the Department of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, with Honorary appointments in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Victorian Spinal Cord Service, Austin Health. She leads the Program in Restorative Neuroscience in the Graeme Clark Institute for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne. Her current major project is an early phase adaptive trial of transcutaneous spinal cord neuromodulation to improve hand function following spinal cord injury. Prof Galea is past Chair of the Stroke Association of Victoria, and member, Scientific Advisory Committee of SpinalCure Australia, and Clinical Governance and Research Committee of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia.
Assoc. Prof. Anastasia Shulga
Reserach Group Leader, neurologist
Helsinki University Hospital
Paired associative stimulation improves outcomes when applied at the subacute stage after incomplete cervical spinal cord injury
Biography
https://fi.linkedin.com/in/anastasiashulga
Mrs Siti Nurfaezah Binti Zahari
Phd Candidate
University Of Toronto
Feasibility, Safety, and Reliability of Computer-Controlled Electrical Perceptual Threshold (CCEPT) Test in Spinal Cord Injury
Biography
Siti Nurfaezah Binti Zahari is a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, with a Collaborative Specialization in Neuromodulation, and a trainee at the KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – University Health Network. Her research focuses on the development of an automated computer-controlled electrical perceptual threshold (CCEPT) device for sensory assessment in individuals with spinal cord injury. Her work aims to improve the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of sensory testing and to support better clinical evaluation and monitoring of neurological function. Her broader interests include neurotechnology, rehabilitation engineering, quantitative sensory assessment, and the application of data-driven methods to improve outcomes in spinal cord injury care.
Dr Ryo Ogaki
MD / PhD Candidate
Keio University School Of Medicine
Clinically Relevant Human iPSC-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Reconstruct Motor Circuits and Restore Forelimb Function in Chronic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Biography
Ryo Ogaki, MD, PhD candidate, is an orthopaedic surgeon at Keio University School of Medicine, Japan. His research focuses on regenerative therapies for spinal cord injury, particularly chronic cervical SCI, using human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells. He received the 1st Place Basic Science Award from the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) in both 2024 and 2025.
Mr Manikandan Shenbagam
Research Student
Indian Institute of Technolgy Delhi, New Delhi, India
Paralyzed but Not Silent: Sonomyography for Residual Muscle Activity Detection in Cervical Motor Complete SCI
Biography
I am a researcher specializing in assistive technology and neurorehabilitation, with a strong focus on developing non-invasive human–machine interfaces for individuals with spinal cord injury. My research centers on designing advanced Muscle–Computer Interfaces (MCIs) using ultrasound-based muscle imaging to accurately decode muscle activity and functional intent.
I actively work with machine learning and deep learning techniques to develop robust, real-time control models that enable seamless interaction between MCIs and rehabilitation systems. My goal is to translate cutting-edge engineering solutions into practical rehabilitation technologies that enhance motor recovery and quality of life.
Prof Jivko Stoyanov
Group Leader
Swiss Paraplegic Research
SwiSCI Biobank: Maturation into a Longitudinal Discovery Platform
Biography
Prof. Dr Jivko Stoyanov leads the SCI Population Biobanking and Translational Research Group at Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, and the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Biobank. He is Titular Professor at the University of Bern. His research focuses on translational medicine, biomarker discovery, multi-omics, and precision rehabilitation in spinal cord injury.