# Senior Research Career Scientist

> **NIH VA IK6** · LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Dr. Ronald J. Triolo is Senior Research Career Scientist with the Rehabilitation R&D Service, and a Tenured
Full Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. He is Executive Director
of the VA RR&D Center for Advanced Platform Technology which develops novel medical devices and
assistive restorative technologies for individuals with sensorimotor impairments or limb loss. Dr. Triolo has
authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, and has mentored more than 40
graduate and medical students or post-doctoral trainees. He currently leads independent research programs
funded the VA, NIH, DoD and other agencies as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator. Dr. Triolo was inducted
into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, received the Paul B. Magnuson
Award for outstanding achievement in Rehabilitation Research and Development from the VA, and was
named the Outstanding Veterans Health Administration Employee (Honorable Mention) of 2020 by the
Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Dr. Triolo has devised, patented and evaluated assistive devices to
facilitate the sit-to-stand transition and negotiate stairs, ramps or other architectural barriers, and is in the
process of preparing novel interventions for exercising after spinal cord injury (SCI) for dissemination within the
VHA. His research program encompasses five main areas:
1. Implanted Neuroprostheses for Standing and Walking: Dr. Triolo leads an interdisciplinary team
dedicated to developing, deploying, and evaluating the clinical outcomes of surgically implanted motor system
neuroprostheses for lower extremity function after SCI. He quantifies their acute and chronic performances,
and explores novel methods of integrating stimulated and volitional muscle activity. His team creates new
computational tools to analyze the biomechanics of bipedal stance and stepping, and applies them to optimize
control systems for maintaining erect balance or facilitating efficient walking.
2. Seated Balance and Wheelchair Propulsion: This research explores methods to control the paralyzed
pelvis and spine to restore vertebral alignment, extend bimanual reach, provide active sitting balance, and
enhance mechanical efficiency of manual wheelchair propulsion. Dr. Triolo documents the effects of
modulating stiffness of the trunk on regulating upright posture to prevent falls from the wheelchair and expand
control over objects in the environment.
3. Selective Peripheral Nerve Interfaces: Dr. Triolo has designed and verified the safety and performance
of new, highly selective multicontact peripheral nerve electrodes capable of isolating functionally distinct
fascicular groups within a common nerve trunk. Selectivly activating of independent groups of neurons can
elicit multiple joint motions, or discrete sensations perceived as arising from the missing limb, from a common
surgical site on the proximal nerve, and alternating between synergistic motor unit ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10315818
- **Project number:** 1IK6RX003844-01
- **Recipient organization:** LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** RONALD J TRIOLO
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-10-01 → 2028-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10315818

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10315818, Senior Research Career Scientist (1IK6RX003844-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10315818. Licensed CC0.

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