# Training Program in Translational Neuromodulation

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2022 · $269,049

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Neuromodulation is a rapidly growing field of study that encompasses a wide spectrum of neurotechnology that
can manipulate neural circuits for treating nervous system disorders. To accelerate clinical translation of
neuromodulation therapies, there is a strong need to train the next generation of scientists, engineers, and
clinicians who have the knowledge base and circuit-interrogating tools to investigate nervous system disorders,
the principled biophysical understanding of how neuromodulation affects neural tissue, the communication and
scientific skills to work in multi-disciplinary teams, and the ability to navigate the translational pathways
necessary to bring new discoveries and technologies to clinical practice. The mission of this T32 program is to
train a diverse group of post-doctoral fellows, provide them with world-class opportunities to develop and
translate neuromodulation technologies, and launch their careers as the next generation of leaders in the field
of translational neuromodulation research. The training program will pair post-doctoral fellows with faculty co-
mentors from (1) fundamental neuroscience or neuroengineering fields and (2) clinical disciplines. Fellows will
conduct translational research with program faculty who are pioneers in the clinical translation of (a) deep brain
stimulation therapies for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, (b) spinal cord stimulation for post-injury
restoration of volitional movement and autonomic function, (c) peripheral nerve stimulation for treatment of
cardiometabolic and inflammatory disorders, and (d) techniques for manipulating the spread of brain cancer.
Fellows will participate in a clinical immersion and have the opportunity to integrate and lead aspects of
research projects that are already in human clinical trials or near the threshold for first-in-human studies. The
training program will also engage a cohort of resident- or fellowship-level physicians (“clinical associates”) who
can devote one year of protected and already funded research time. All trainees will further develop their skills
in rigorous statistical data analysis, experimental design methodologies, research quality assurance, and
responsible conduct of research through hands-on workshops. We will also train the cohort of fellows and
clinical associates through a translation and commercialization bootcamp with follow-up workshop sessions.
This program will tap into outstanding translational neuromodulation research programs and facilities at the
University of Minnesota and integrate our fellows into the unique medical device ecosystem of Minnesota,
which is home to many global medtech companies that are developing neuromodulation technologies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10412589
- **Project number:** 1T32NS121920-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Douglas Johnson
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $269,049
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10412589

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10412589, Training Program in Translational Neuromodulation (1T32NS121920-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10412589. Licensed CC0.

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