Jordan Squair honored with Bayer Foundation award in Medicine

Jordan Squair, senior scientist at EPFL’s .NeuroRestore Center, has received the prestigious Bayer Foundation 2024 Early Excellence in Science Award in Medicine. This annual award, established by the Bayer Foundation in 2009, celebrates early-career scientists driving significant innovation in their fields.

Recognizing Dr Squair’s contributions, the Bayer Foundation praised his “pioneering discoveries and innovations in neuroprosthetics and regenerative medicine, which open novel therapeutic options for patients with neurotraumatic and neurodegenerative disorders.” In addition to the accolade, Squair has been awarded a cash prize of €10,000.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our work focused on providing new therapeutic solutions for people with paralysis. We will continue to work hard to improve the lives of these people.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our work focused on providing new therapeutic solutions for people with paralysis. We will continue to work hard to improve the lives of these people,” says Squair, who conducts his research at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences and the Neuro X Institute on Campus Biotech in Geneva.

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Dr Squair’s research focuses on developing innovative therapies for individuals with spinal cord injuries. During his tenure at .NeuroRestore Center, he has contributed to the design of implants that enable paralyzed patients to regain the ability to walk.

His work also addresses severe symptoms associated with paralysis, such as orthostatic hypotension—a condition characterized by dangerously low blood pressure upon standing. By utilizing spinal cord stimulation via implants, Squair has developed methods to regulate blood pressure, significantly improving patients’ quality of life.

Jordan Squair has also recently been the co-senior author of a groundbreaking research milestone: the ‘Tabulae Paralytica’ project. This ambitious, open-source initiative maps the cellular and molecular dynamics of paralysis in unprecedented detail. By integrating cutting-edge molecular mapping technologies with artificial intelligence, the study charts the complex cellular interactions following spinal cord injuries.

In recognition of his contributions at the intersection of life sciences and entrepreneurship, Squair also received the 2023 BioInnovation Institute & Science Prize for Innovation. This accolade highlights his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into practical applications that benefit patients with neurotraumatic and neurodegenerative disorders.

Squair’s research reflects a sustained commitment to deepening the scientific understanding of spinal cord injuries and translating these insights into practical applications—in perfect alignment with the Neuro X Institute’s goals of translational neuroscience and neurotechnological development. His efforts in neuroprosthetics and regenerative medicine open new possibilities in the field, offering tangible improvements for patients dealing with the complex challenges of paralysis and other neurological disorders.