# Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation

> **NIH VA I50** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2023 · —

## Abstract

The mission of the Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CVNR) is to improve health
and quality of life in Veterans with visual and cognitive disorders by engaging an alliance of
researchers and clinicians to advance evidence-based rehabilitation. For the past 35 years, CVNR
research has dynamically advanced, following emerging science through a primary focus on aging (1986 –
1998), vision/aging (1998-2012), and visual and cognition (2012-present). CVNR capacity nearly doubled in
this funding cycle. We aim to expand the impact of VA science and VA research investment (currently, more
than 18-fold return on Center dollars compared to VA and other grants received). Over 30% of CVNR
scientists are full Professors at Tier 1 institutions. In addition, the CVNR is rapidly building research capacity
with 25% of CVNR members career development awardees (CDAs). Former CDA researchers from 2018-
present continued in academic positions, >90% in the VA. The CVNR has three strategic research themes:
Restoring eye and brain function, Exercise to improve function, and Neuro-biomarkers for personalized
rehabilitation. The synergy of visual and cognitive rehabilitation science across the strategic research themes
reveals common core principles for use across neurorehabilitation and supports CVNR investigators to rapidly
define elements that are necessary to build personalized Veteran rehabilitation. Aligned with the VA Research
Mission, the three CVNR strategic research themes span the translational continuum from preclinical, clinical
research, and clinical practice research. In this cycle, through intentional activities that promote the
investigators at all career development levels within the strategic research themes, the CVNR will analyze the
progress of scientific projects and plan how to advance the research findings to real-life utilization in VA
clinics. By setting goals and milestones in translation and implementation, and integrating self-evaluation and
quality control, the CVNR will build upon past success and continuously increase the impact on Veteran
clinical services, as well as the direct response to Veteran and caregiver needs. CVNR Executive Director
A.M. Barrett, MD, who brought research treatments developed in her laboratory to current use in VA
healthcare, takes responsibility with Executive Associate Director, Machelle Pardue, PhD to lead alignment of
strategic planning and operational decision-making. Director of Scientific Programs, Joe Nocera, PhD, has an
expanded role in this cycle to lead scientific project development in the three strategic research themes
through meetings, retreats and self-evaluation. Five Cores provide services to investigators and steward
resources: Neuroimaging (Director, Bruce Crosson, PhD); Molecular Biology (Director, Jeff Boatright, PhD);
Physical Exercise (Director, Joe Nocera, PhD); and an Administrative Core, (Director and CVNR Administrator
Officer, Lisa Calas). The Connectivity Core (Direc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10347498
- **Project number:** 2I50RX002358-07
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Joe Robert Nocera
- **Activity code:** I50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-10-01 → 2028-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10347498

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10347498, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (2I50RX002358-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10347498. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*