CERSE at a Glance
Accelerating research that drives rehabilitation breakthroughs
With the expertise, connections and compassion to advance our fields and improve the lives of those we serve, the Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering (CERSE) is one of Virginia Commonwealth University’s premier research centers. We bring together dedicated researchers and lead innovative, interdisciplinary studies across multiple institutions, schools, departments, private organizations and government agencies. Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to learn more about what is happening at CERSE. Visit our newsletter archive for past issues of CERSE Communications.
What We Do
Our mission is to connect researchers and accelerate rehabilitation breakthroughs that empower people to overcome barriers and thrive.
Dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve, CERSE research helps people with:
- Traumatic brain injury to self-manage their health and improve their relationships
- Life-altering diseases and injuries to use exoskeletons and other assistive devices to walk
- Developmental neuromuscular conditions to sit and stand upright and interact with others
- Parkinson’s disease to avoid falls and walk safely in their homes and communities
- Low back pain to find relief, increase mobility and return to activities
- Cancer to regain their strength and stamina and re-engage in life
- Developmental and intellectual disabilities to obtain skills and maintain work
- Addictions and self-control issues to develop resilience and make healthy decisions
How We Do It
CERSE delivers on its mission by providing the following methods of support:
CERSE connects researchers with resources they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. With our help, researchers can garner seed money, start-up funds and financial support for salaries, equipment and software.
We also provide data management, statistical, writing, research coordination, grant application preparation and regulatory and compliance support.
Using our own research experience, we offer other researchers face-to-face consulting and mentoring with open-door advisory services and a constant connection to the CERSE team.
Our team guides emerging inventors and researchers with career development advice through individual and group mentoring, workshops and seminars. Subject matter experts provide consultation on study design, project implementation, problem-solving, biostatistics and grant application pre-submission reviews.
CERSE leaders reach across academic and professional silos to connect great minds. We are proud to serve as a liaison for interdisciplinary rehabilitation collaborations across VCU schools and departments, throughout the community and across the world.
Innovation with Impact: A Message from our Director
Research, Accelerated
Innovative health solutions from our diverse, dynamic consortia
The embodiment of CERSE's mission is our dedication to developing cutting-edge research that advances rehabilitation and improves lives.
CERSE currently supports eight research consortia:
- Veterans’ health and wellness
- Regenerative and rehabilitation medicine
- Health services and policy
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Physical function and health
- Participation and adaptation
- Personalized rehabilitation
- Digital health
A Collaborative Effort
In rehab science, collaboration leads to innovation and life changes.
By working together, CERSE’s interdisciplinary research consortia have received more than $20 million per year in grant and contract research sponsorship. And that number continues to grow.
Schools involved in this ongoing venture include:
- VCU School of Medicine
- VCU School of the Arts
- VCU School of Education
- VCU College of Engineering
- VCU College of Health Professions
- VCU College of Humanities and Sciences
- VCU School of Nursing
- VCU School of Pharmacy
- VCU School of Public Health
We also maintain close relationships with the following Richmond-area facilities and organizations:
From its home base in Richmond, CERSE works closely with Central Virginia VA Health Care System, which leads research in the following areas:
- Regenerative medicine
- Applied robotics
- Artificial intelligence
- Virtual reality
- Alternative medicine
- Stem cell therapies
Here, CERSE researchers seek to improve veterans’ health related to traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), pain, radiation oncology, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addictions, movement disorders and aging.
We provide knowledge translation support and conduct clinical research for Sheltering Arms Institute, a new 114-bed facility in the West Creek Medical Park about 15 miles west of downtown Richmond.
Thanks to a generous gift from the Children’s Hospital Foundation, which funds and advocates for projects that improve that quality of life for children in Central Virginia, CERSE supports the advancement of pediatric TBI care, research and training at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
Make an Impact Today
CERSE is changing lives, and we need your help to do it.
Interested in contributing to the long-term success of CERSE and its dedicated researchers? You can make your mark on the center today.
Learn how you can make an impactReal People; Real Results
With cutting edge initiatives, CERSE accelerates research that makes tangible impacts on the people we serve.
