Praxis PLEx Fellowship

As a Fellow in the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute’s Persons with Lived Experience (PLEx) program (April–July 2024), Jacob worked closely with the institute’s innovation and PLEx teams to set priorities and provide lived‑experience insight. The PLEx program empowers people with spinal cord injury to influence research and innovation; fellows co‑develop frameworks, share lived experience, and support translation of research into practice. During his fellowship Jacob collaborated on technology evaluations, participated in knowledge translation workshops, and helped the program design processes that put people with SCI at the center.

Founder and Consulting at LERN‑SCI

Jacob founded the Lived‑Experience Research Network for SCI (LERN‑SCI) to bridge the gap between lived experience, research, technology and advocacy. Through LERN‑SCI he provides consulting to med‑tech startups on inclusive design, accessibility and AI‑driven solutions, and he continues to support grant writing, community reintegration and adaptive equipment design. He also served as a community reintegration specialist in MetroHealth’s Adaptive Life Technologies (ALT) Lab, working with engineering teams to ensure that innovations meet the real‑world needs of people with SCI.

Consumer Reviewer & Advocacy

Jacob contributes to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) as a consumer reviewer. In this role he reads and comments on dozens of research proposals, participates in multi‑day peer and programmatic review panels, and speaks for the SCI community in funding decisions. His service is recognised by the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium (NASCIC); a 2024 letter of support notes that his lived experience, knowledge of research methodologies and advocacy skills make him an exceptional reviewer and communicator. Jacob also collaborates with United Spinal Association, serves on review panels for grant calls and provides feedback on projects through NASCIC’s research advocacy course.

ARROWS Feasibility Trial & Clinical Research

In addition to his consulting and reviewer work, Jacob is a lived‑experience consultant on the ARROWS Feasibility Trial (Aging, Recovery, Reintegration & Wellness for Survivors). In this study he advises researchers on recruitment, patient‑reported outcome measures and qualitative interviews, ensuring that the research reflects community priorities around quality of life, mental health, and reintegration after spinal cord injury. His engagement ensures that participant voices are heard and that findings translate into meaningful change.

Community Engagement & Public Speaking

Jacob regularly speaks at conferences and webinars about spinal cord injury, technology and advocacy. He has presented at United Spinal Association’s Annual Summit and the Unite 2 Fight Paralysis Rally, and completed the NASCIC Spinal Cord Injury Research Advocacy Course in 2023. He mentors new advocates, builds networks among persons with lived experience and professional stakeholders, and shares knowledge about cutting‑edge research, adaptive devices and accessibility.

Together, these roles illustrate Jacob Schueller’s deep commitment to advancing spinal cord injury research and improving the lives of people with SCI. Through LERN‑SCI he channels his lived experience into consulting, consumer review, and research collaborations that drive innovation and empower the community.