The UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine received $3 million to further spinal cord research.
The Louis and Harold Price Foundation made the gift to fund the research of Daniel Lu, an associate professor of neurosurgery. Lu studies the flow of electric currents throughout the spinal cord, which plays an important role in controlling muscle function in motor systems. He will use the funds to test treatments and potential new therapies on larger patient groups by observing how treatments improve the strength, limb mobility and bladder control of patients with spinal cord injuries.
Lu also helped create a stimulator implant inserted next to the spinal cord to improve finger strength, grip and mobility. He also created a noninvasive device that magnetically stimulated a part of the spine to help male patients improve bladder control.
The Price Foundation was established in 1951 by philanthropists Harold and Louis Price. They have made contributions to UCLA for more than 50 years through the foundation.
The gift is part of the UCLA Centennial Campaign, which recently surpassed its goal of raising $4.2 billion by December 2019.