1 hr
S4 E6: Research Pioneers ft. Ian Burkhart & Benjamin Stecher SKRAPS of Science & Innovation
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- Life Sciences
Most of us can pretty certainly say that we are alone within our heads. We may joke about inner voices, but what really happens when there genuinely is an external influence deep within a brain? The answer?
In the case of two research pioneers, Ian Burkhart and Benjamin Stecher, the answer is nothing short of a miracle. These two souls both underwent life altering surgeries - not just in terms of literally allowing a device to tap into their brains, but surgeries that would do for them what no pill, no prayer, and no person could do for them.
Ian Burkhart was paralysed after a spinal cord injury endured while on holiday. What should have been a celebratory day at the beach, enjoyed, recorded, and then stored in his memory bank for future reflection ended in severe physical disability. Ian now serves as a Vice President of the North American Spinal Cord Consortium and is an advocate, speaker, and research pioneer.
Benjamin Stecher was handed a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease at the impossibly early age of 29. He should have been enjoying what many of us believe are the prime years of adulthood when, instead, he was trying desperately to hold on to a “normal” life. He scoured manuscripts, spoke to experts, tested pharmaceutical cocktails to curtail the progression of his disease. Benjamin is an author, advocate, and chair of the Rune Labs Patient Advisory Board.
Both of these lionhearted men decided to do what few have done - they have invited a device to take up residence in their respective brains. Listen in to hear the first hand accounts of the what, why, and how they have gone to such lengths. We’ll share with you their stories and their triumphs, and certainly their challenges along the way. At the end of this tale, you will know that both are superhuman, but not for the reasons you may think. You’ll hear about their journeys that have turned them into authors and advocates, and above all, men of science.
Learn more about Ian Burkhart through the Ian Burkhart Foundation and read Benjamin’s book, “Brain Fables”.
Special thanks to our sponsors, CorTec Neuro & Cirtec Medical.
Research & Interviews: JoJo Platt
Script: Arun Sridhar
Editing: Arun Sridhar
Sound design: Arun Sridhar & Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam
Audio engineering/mastering: Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam
Most of us can pretty certainly say that we are alone within our heads. We may joke about inner voices, but what really happens when there genuinely is an external influence deep within a brain? The answer?
In the case of two research pioneers, Ian Burkhart and Benjamin Stecher, the answer is nothing short of a miracle. These two souls both underwent life altering surgeries - not just in terms of literally allowing a device to tap into their brains, but surgeries that would do for them what no pill, no prayer, and no person could do for them.
Ian Burkhart was paralysed after a spinal cord injury endured while on holiday. What should have been a celebratory day at the beach, enjoyed, recorded, and then stored in his memory bank for future reflection ended in severe physical disability. Ian now serves as a Vice President of the North American Spinal Cord Consortium and is an advocate, speaker, and research pioneer.
Benjamin Stecher was handed a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease at the impossibly early age of 29. He should have been enjoying what many of us believe are the prime years of adulthood when, instead, he was trying desperately to hold on to a “normal” life. He scoured manuscripts, spoke to experts, tested pharmaceutical cocktails to curtail the progression of his disease. Benjamin is an author, advocate, and chair of the Rune Labs Patient Advisory Board.
Both of these lionhearted men decided to do what few have done - they have invited a device to take up residence in their respective brains. Listen in to hear the first hand accounts of the what, why, and how they have gone to such lengths. We’ll share with you their stories and their triumphs, and certainly their challenges along the way. At the end of this tale, you will know that both are superhuman, but not for the reasons you may think. You’ll hear about their journeys that have turned them into authors and advocates, and above all, men of science.
Learn more about Ian Burkhart through the Ian Burkhart Foundation and read Benjamin’s book, “Brain Fables”.
Special thanks to our sponsors, CorTec Neuro & Cirtec Medical.
Research & Interviews: JoJo Platt
Script: Arun Sridhar
Editing: Arun Sridhar
Sound design: Arun Sridhar & Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam
Audio engineering/mastering: Swaminathan ThiruGnanaSambandam
1 hr