Vivian L. Smith Center for Neurologic Research
The Vivian L. Smith Center for Neurologic Research, in the Department of Neurosurgery, works to develop new insights into disease-mechanisms following brain and spinal cord injury, and new and improved therapies for neurologic injuries and diseases.
The Vivian L. Smith Foundation for Neurologic Research has provided substantial support for the Center since it was established in 1996. This relationship between the Foundation and the Department of Neurosurgery continues the vision of founder Vivian L. Smith to develop new therapies that will enhance the quality of life for those afflicted with neurologic disease. The Foundation has been instrumental in undergirding various research activities of the Department of Neurosurgery.
One of the Foundation’s most fruitful activities is to fund the start-up costs for outstanding scientists. Faculty start-up support from the Foundation has been very productive for scientists in the Vivian L. Smith Center for Neurologic Research, enabling them to conduct their research and lay the groundwork to obtain significant funding from outside sources. The newest scientist to take advantage of this support is Dr. Meredith Moore who is starting a stem cell effort at the Vivian L. Smith Center. Other current faculty members who have benefited from start-up support include Drs. Pramod Dash, Raymond Grill, Nobuhide Kobori, and Rong Yu — all of whom now have NIH grants for their research projects following initial support from the Vivian L. Smith Foundation for Neurologic Research. In addition to the above examples, the Foundation continues to provide support for other important neurologic research in the Department of Neurosurgery.
One of the newest additions to the Vivian L. Smith Center is the Neurosurgery Research Repository (NRR), an extensive clinical database of all hospitalized Department of Neurosurgery physicians’ patients coupled with a tissue repository. Its purpose is to collect information and samples for current and future neuroscience research. This will become a unique and immense resource for future studies involving brain and spinal cord injury. Support from the Vivian L. Smith Foundation for Neurologic Research makes this vital project possible.
