Dr Ned Jenkinson

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Studying how the brain controls movement and how it allows us to — seemingly effortlessly — learn new motor skills. I want to understand how the brain controls movements for its own sake, but also to better comprehend how dysfunction of the brain produces the symptoms of movement disorders.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: laid-back, technique-orientated, supportive, student-centred, collaborative, guiding, teaching, understanding & inclusive.

Provision of Training

Training will be tailored to build toward your independence as a research scientist.

Progression Monitoring and Management

As a lab-based group, we see a lot of our students, and we encourage frequent interaction. As such, management of progression is less formally structured.

Communication

Frequent interaction is encouraged. We use whatever form of communication that the students are happy to use, for example Teams, email and WhatsApp are all commonly used in the group.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per fortnight. These meetings will be face-to-face. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Understanding upper-limb function with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Understanding upper-limb function with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Tom Nightingale

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

Understanding upper-limb function with transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

Background — Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) is a technique where electrodes are placed on the skin over specific vertebral levels targeting the posterior spinal roots. Stimulation is thought to increase the excitability of spinal interneurons and motor-neurons, though the exact mechanisms are not clearly understood. While TSCS is a promising tool to investigate the human motor system, much of the research is still in the early stages. This fact is especially true in healthy populations, as most research has focused on patient populations, such as people with spinal-cord injury.

Project Outline — This project will test different forms of TSCS e.g. direct current, or carrier-wave driven, different stimulation parameters and different electrode configurations to:

i) understand the neural mechanisms of TSCS

ii) investigate how TSCS influences the control of the upper limbs

iii) investigate the differences in response between young and older adults

We will use the following techniques:

• Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation

• Electromyography (EMG) and High-density EMG

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation

• Transcranial direct-current stimulation

• Behavioural motor testing

• Physiological testing— i.e. motor reflexes

To investigate how TCSCS influences:

• Cortico-spinal-motor excitability

• Non-voluntary control of the upper limbs, e.g. the H-reflex

• Motor thresholds and excitability

• Voluntary motor control of the upper limbs

APPLY HERE

Co-supervisor on a project with: Dr Eduardo Martinez-Valdes