Wesley Thornton, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, senior instructor in the University of Colorado Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation's Physical Therapy Program, has received the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine's Ernest Bors, MD Award from the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals, Inc. (ASCIP) for his dissertation research.

The Ernest Bors, MD Award recognizes outstanding research by emerging investigators in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI). Established to encourage research among young professionals, the award is limited to doctoral candidates, medical students, residents, and post-doctoral fellows pursuing careers in SCI research.

Thornton earned the honor for his doctoral research examining how early MRI findings may help predict walking recovery following spinal cord injury. His work focuses on identifying imaging markers that can improve clinicians' ability to forecast functional outcomes and guide rehabilitation planning.

"It is an incredible honor to receive the Ernest Bors Award from the Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals and the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Past trainees that have won this award have continued to contribute impactful research that aims to optimize care for individuals with spinal cord injury. I hope I can continue in their footsteps and honor the legacy of Dr. Bors. I am so grateful to the CU Rehabilitation Science PhD program for the guidance and support throughout my training, Craig Hospital for the collaboration that made this work possible, and my amazing PhD mentor, Dr. Andrew Smith, for his dedication and partnership in getting this work across the finish line," said Dr. Thornton.

"It has been a privilege to mentor Wes throughout his PhD training," said Andrew Smith, PT, DPT, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. "His research demonstrated how early MRI findings can help predict walking recovery after spinal cord injury, with important implications for rehabilitation. I am proud to see his work recognized with this well-deserved award."

As part of the award recognition, Thornton will present his research on September 7, 2026, from 3:20 to 3:35 p.m. His presentation will focus on the relationship between spinal cord lesion characteristics and recovery of walking function following SCI.

The study is a retrospective analysis investigating a specific MRI characteristic known as a midsagittal tissue bridge (MSTB), which is visible on T2-weighted MRI scans. Previous research has suggested that MSTBs, areas of spared neural tissue that remain intact after injury, are associated with sensorimotor recovery following spinal cord injury.

Thornton's research explores whether the presence of an MSTB can serve as a predictor of walking ability one year after injury. By examining the connection between spared neural tissue and long-term mobility outcomes, the study aims to provide clinicians with additional tools to assess prognosis and develop more individualized rehabilitation strategies.

The recognition highlights both the quality of Thornton's research and the University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program's commitment to advancing evidence-based rehabilitation for individuals living with spinal cord injury.

The Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals is an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing education, research, and care for individuals affected by spinal cord injury and disease. The Ernest Bors, MD Award honors the legacy of a pioneering SCI physician while encouraging the next generation of investigators to contribute meaningful research to the field.