This position will focus on clinical research and knowledge translation within the cardiovascular autonomic laboratory at ICORD. The postdoctoral fellow will consult on the development and evaluation of a web based education module for paramedics. This knowledge tool will be designed to improve knowledge of the management of cardiovascular and autonomic emergencies in persons with spinal cord injury.

The appointment is for one year, with possibility of continuation. Salary will depend on available funding and be commensurate with experience.

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Andrei Krassioukov at krassioukov@icord.org.

Dr Andrei Krassioukov is currently recruiting a PhD student in his discovery science laboratory at the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD). ICORD is an interdisciplinary UBC research centre focused on spinal cord injury (SCI). ICORD’s research activities span the continuum from basic, preclinical discovery, to human-based discovery, to acute clinical interventions, to chronic care and rehabilitation, to community integration and participation.

Research in Dr. Krassioukov’s Cardiovascular Autonomic Laboratory is focused on examining the mechanisms of various autonomic dysfunctions that occur following SCI, using experimental animal models or evaluating individuals with this devastating trauma. For the last twenty years, Dr. Krassioukov’s research has focused specifically on examination of unstable arterial blood pressure control and the life threatening phenomenon known as autonomic dysreflexia.

The PhD project will focus on the mechanisms underlying changes in vascular function following experimental SCI and in response to exercise using rodent models. The ideal candidate for this position will have a Masters degree in physiology/neurophysiology/zoology or a related field. Experience with animal handling, tissue histology, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry is paramount.

Funding will be available for the first year of the program, however, the potential candidate will be expected to apply for external funding in subsequent years.

For more information, please contact Dr. Christopher West, Postdoctoral Researcher, at west@icord.org or 604-675-8816.

The lab website has been updated with member and project information. Please feel free to look around and find out what exciting things are happening in the Krassioukov lab. Enjoy!

Congratulations to Shirley and Dr. Krassioukov, who have just received a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to create a web based education module on clinical management of autonomic dysreflexia. This project will be tailored to practicing paramedics and paramedic students across Canada. As these emergency medical providers are the first to treat individuals with SCI in emergency situations, it is crucial that they know how to diagnose and manage the life threatening condition.

On February 23, 2011, 120 clinicians, researchers, students and community members participated in the first ever International Symposium on Autonomic Dysfunctions following Spinal Cord Injury. The event focused on the latest advances in basic science and clinical research, as well as management of various autonomic dysfunctions that affect individuals with spinal cord injury. Invited speakers were international experts in the field, including Dr. Larry Schramm from John Hopkins University, Dr. Fin Biering-Sørensen from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Dr. Susan Harkema from the University of Louisville. Through generous donations from ICORD, the UBC Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the Rick Hansen Institute and various industry sponsors, we were able to achieve our aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the devastating complications that result from injury to the autonomic nervous system. For details on the event and to view the full symposium program, please click here.

Congratulations to Dr. Rajiv Reebye, Dr. Kim Waspe,  Dr. Andrei Krassioukov and Dr. G. Vorobeychik, who are recipients of the $15,000 William Fraser Research Award from the BC Rehab Foundation for their project entitled “Pilot Study: Assessment of Autonomic Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis with and without Spinal Cord Involvement”.

These awards allow rehabilitation professionals the opportunity to undertake clinical research in their field of interest or expertise, and honour Mr. William Fraser who contributed immensely to rehabilitation in BC, and was the former president of the BC Rehab Society.

ICORD Investigators Drs. Tania Lam and Andrei Krassioukov have received funding from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia for a collaborative research project. The title of the joint research project is Pharmacological interventions and rehabilitation for spinal cord injury. The project will involve both faculty exchanges and graduate student training. Dr. Lam expects that the collaborative research will start with Saudi students coming to ICORD labs to learn techniques or complete aspects of the projects, and eventually lead to UBC ICORD graduate students going to Riyadh to work in their facilities.

Drs. Lam and Krassioukov, and ICORD Acting Director Dr. Tom Oxland, recently visited the King Saud University campus in Riyadh. There they gave presentations about ICORD research, and also met with the University Rector.

Dr. Lam is excited about the project, saying this could the start of larger collaborations. “My feeling is that when they see our commitment to work collaboratively with them, this partnership could expand to include other groups at ICORD and UBC, depending on our initial success.”