2025 Executive Council Delegate Nominees
Cristian Arvinte
My motivation to serve the spinal cord injury (SCI) community, as a medical professional, and the dad of a 27 year-old son with traumatic quadriplegia is that there is a lot of work that our SCI community continues to need in:
1. SCI Science:
I had known in my profession as a critical care physician, and then I re-discovered while my son was in a metropolitan community trauma hospital during the acute phase of his post-traumatic SCI, that there are not many certainties in how to care for acute SCI. Beyond these few certainties, there are additional possibly-helpful things that might help, but not yet proven in highest-quality standardized studies, and therefore still topics of debate in journals and conferences, and not uniformly upheld or practiced as standards of medical care.
My son and I discovered, while rehabbing at one of the premiere SCI neuro-rehab hospitals in the US, of how limited still is the access to enrolment in clinical medical research in chronic SCI. Research registries are part of individual institutions, and finding them is a needle-in-the-haystack feat. Individual registries do not communicate amongst themselves, and there is no federal/national registry to govern them. All the .gov and .org research databases are populated with trials most of which are active only in name, not recruiting subjects, and not replying to potential candidates’ inquiries.
Above-limitations are not a reflection on individual hospitals or practitioners, but on the general state of pre-clinical and clinical SCI science. Governmental regulatory and funding agencies’ safety and efficacy standards are well-intended, but incentivizing publish-or-perish over tangible progress, and so inflexible in research regulation that it might explain why we are reading the same brilliant-level research in 2024 journals that had already been published in 2014, with not much progress to show in the lives of our SCI community.
2. Society’s Support, Inclusion, and Equity:
Even when medically-insured, the labor market for skilled professional home-help (while family is trying to remain employed) is quasi-inexistent for the SCI community. Traveling by plane in a wheelchair remains a risky adventure not only for the human, but the wheelchair, too. Finding an elevator in a mall amounts at times to a scouting mission.
Dr. Dennis Bourbeau
Dr. Bourbeau is a Staff Scientist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the MetroHealth System, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and a research investigator in the Research Service at the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
His research focuses on developing approaches that use electrical stimulation to restore pelvic autonomic functions, including bladder and bowel functions, lost to spinal cord injuries or other neurological disorders. With his collaborators, he has conducted chronic studies in human study participants with spinal cord injury using electrical stimulation to inhibit unwanted bladder contractions and improve urinary continence. Other projects include electrical stimulation to inhibit unwanted reflex sphincter contractions to improve bladder emptying; a wireless bladder pressure and volume sensor for automatic control of these electrical stimulation approaches; and electrical stimulation to improve colonic motility for individuals with chronic constipation. This research program provides new insights into the neurophysiological pathways and mechanisms underlying pelvic autonomic functions.
Dr. Bourbeau is an outstanding scientist and a world leader in spinal cord injury research. He is know only strongly committed to translating treatments to people living with spinal cord injury in his clinical research program, but he is a strong advocate for people living with SCI. As a clinical researcher, he works closely with people living with SCI on a very revalue basis and serves on a committee that aims to streamline the effective translation of life changing treatments. He will be an excellent representative for NASCIC, that will be deeply committed to the societies mission and goals.
George McIntire
George McIntire is a passionate advocate with deep-rooted dedication to advancing the needs and rights of the spinal cord injury (SCI) community. Based in White Sulphur Springs, WV, George has built an impressive record of service and advocacy. He currently serves as Chair of his local Awareness Action Committee and as State Secretary for the Paralyzed Veterans of America, West Virginia Chapter. George has also represented his community on Capitol Hill, actively lobbying for SCI-related issues.
Six years ago, George sustained a C-6 incomplete ASIA D spinal cord injury, and in 2020, he was one of 29 participants in the RENETX AXER 204 clinical trial. Now, he faces new challenges as he seeks surgery for spinal stenosis, and he is currently advocating for consideration as a volunteer in Northwestern University’s “dancing molecules” project. George’s experience underscores the importance of pushing for research that drives transformative medical breakthroughs. He is determined to advocate for fewer regulatory barriers, so SCI patients can access innovative treatments without placebos, echoing his belief that SCI patients deserve the opportunity to participate directly in promising trials.
George brings a strong commitment to change and a willingness to stand up for SCI science and research, hoping to bridge the gap between current treatments and the breakthroughs on the horizon.
Ignacio Montoya
Ignacio Montoya is not just a survivor of spinal cord injury; he is an innovator and advocate who is reshaping the future of SCI research. Originally from Cuba, Ignacio moved to the United States at six, fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a U.S. Air Force pilot. In 2012, a motorcycle accident resulted in a T4/T5 complete spinal cord injury and a right brachial plexus injury. Rather than accept the limitations of paralysis, Ignacio redirected his efforts toward transforming SCI recovery.
Educational Background and Research: While earning his Master’s in Biomedical Innovation and Development at Georgia Tech, Ignacio developed a pioneering training protocol using a Hocoma Lokomat robotic orthosis. He later earned a second Master’s in Kinesiology at California State University, Los Angeles, where he explored the functional reorganization of neural networks post-severe spinal cord injury through non-invasive spinal neuromodulation and activity-based training, focusing on integrating sensorimotor autonomic systems involved in sexual behaviors. His groundbreaking work has garnered recognition from the Georgia House of Representatives, and he regularly presents at global neuroscience research symposiums like the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), challenging conventional beliefs about SCI rehabilitation.
Continued Innovations: Now collaborating with Dr. Reggie Edgerton at UCLA and Rancho Research Institute, Ignacio continues to push the boundaries of SCI recovery. He is set to begin his Ph.D. in the Joint Biomedical Engineering program at Georgia Tech and Emory University in Fall 2025, conferred through the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, emphasizing an integration of life sciences, engineering, and mathematics.
Advocacy and Leadership: In addition to his research on neuroplasticity, Ignacio is a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion, particularly in commercial space travel. He envisions a future where individuals with disabilities can fully participate in society—both on Earth and beyond—and is committed to ensuring that accessibility and functional independence are fundamental to progress.
As a delegate on the NASCIC Executive Council, Ignacio brings his lived experience, innovative research, and passionate advocacy to represent the voices of the SCI community. His mission is clear: to improve care, enhance accessibility, and champion a future where functional recovery and independence are attainable for all.
Bailey Negron
At 27 years old, I bring a unique blend of lived experience with spinal cord injury (SCI) and a dedication to lifelong learning and advocacy. I am a C-4 / C-5 quadriplegic with a T 11 / L1 fracture. Over the past eight years, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the SCI community. My journey has inspired me to help shape a future where all individuals with SCI are empowered, represented, and provided the resources to thrive. Through community engagement and advocacy work, I aim to support others navigating their own paths within the SCI community.
Personal Advocacy & Community Building:
Since my own SCI, I’ve actively engaged in advocacy, focusing on building support networks and ensuring individuals’ voices are heard. I have firsthand knowledge of the barriers and opportunities within our community, and I’m committed to creating positive change.
Community Engagement & Empowerment:
I actively build and participate in support networks within the SCI and broader communities, advocating for resources that empower individuals to overcome barriers and succeed. Through understanding and empathy, I aim to uplift and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Resilience, Life Skills, and Representation:
My life experiences have fostered deep resilience, adaptability, and empathy, which allow me to meaningfully connect with and advocate for those facing hardships. I have represented the SCI community in various forums, sharing stories that resonate and build understanding, while fostering relationships grounded in shared experiences.
Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Growth:
As a dedicated lifelong learner, I constantly strive to expand my skills and perspectives. I value learning from others within the SCI and broader communities and use these insights to drive impactful advocacy efforts that make a positive difference.
I am honored by the opportunity to serve as a Delegate on the NASCIC Executive Council. With my lived experience and passion for continuous growth, I bring a fresh and insightful perspective, one rooted in advocacy and a commitment to uplifting others. My goal is to amplify the voices of those in the SCI and other marginalized communities, helping to build a community that is heard, respected, and supported at every step. Through collaboration with NASCIC members, I look forward to championing initiatives that foster inclusivity, improve accessibility, and promote wellness. Together, I believe we can create a society where everyone has the resources and respect they deserve.
