Dr Maya Panisset
Maya is a Trial Coordinator for the TESCoN trial, investigating transcutaneous spinal cord neuromodulation (tSCN) plus physiotherapy to improve upper limb function in people with tetraplegia. Attending ISCoS will help Maya stay current with global research and clinical practice.
Maya shares her experiences from the conference.
The SRI Research Collaboration Grant is more than just travel funding. This annual program provides a cohort experience wrapping around the conference, focussing on collaboration, with each other and with people with lived experience of spinal injury. Before the conference, a private discussion board on the SCORH on-line platform allowed us to introduce ourselves and our work, followed by a Zoom meeting to break the ice, a private workshop on consumer engagement, and then a pre-conference brunch and mentoring session in Sweden with alumni from the program.
ISCOS itself, with its broad interdisciplinary clinical and research attendence, was a rich academic experience. I presented a sub-study of our clinical trial in non-invasive spinal cord stimulation, exploring the use of wearable sensors and EMG muscle recordings to quantify improvements in muscle coordination. My presentation was well-received and two international researchers have reached out to ask more about adapting these novel measures for their own research.
Although I only received a partial grant (conference registration), this was a priceless opportunity. The uniqueness and impact of this program was evident to my University faculty, who awarded me a competitive ECR grant to support my travel expenses.
The SRI cohort experience boosted my confidence and enthusiasm beyond any conference I’d previously attended. This enabled me to reach out and establish connections with world leaders in the Spinal Neuromodulation space, including an invitation by the Research Director of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta to visit as a clinical scholar (accommodation provided). Being from Australia, and having been in Melbourne during Covid Lock-downs, this boost to my international profile and connections was an important step for me as an emerging independent researcher.
My favourite moment was the informal breakfast which Larnie from SRI coordinated towards the end of the conference to facilitate our “Next Steps” thinking. Over 2 hours, we developed exciting ideas for collaboration between the cohort members in the future. I also really valued the Consumer Engagement training provided by the amazing Antonio and look forward to connecting with him to ensure any future proposals are planned appropriately to embed the consumer perspective along the entire research pipeline.
