Natasha Wilkins, PhD was recently appointed as a CAIRIBU K12 Scholar in the KURe Career Development Program at Duke University. Dr. Wilkins is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University in the laboratory of Warren Grill. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and completed her doctoral degree in Translational Neuroscience at the University of Louisville in 2019.
Dr. Wilkins is a preclinical scientist with over ten years of research experience in rodent models of spinal cord injury.
During her time as a graduate student, Dr. Wilkins developed expertise in spinal cord epidural stimulation as an intervention for neurogenic bladder and sexual dysfunction following spinal cord injury. Her work in the Grill laboratory, involves conducting preclinical experiments to determine the efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation as a treatment for bowel dysfunction induced by spinal cord injury.
As a KURe scholar, Dr. Wilkins will expand her work on sacral nerve stimulation to address neurogenic bladder dysfunction resulting from spinal cord injuries. This research aims to develop a framework for the application of sacral nerve stimulation as a therapeutic option for those suffering from this condition. In addition to her work in neuromodulation, Dr. Wilkins is passionate about improving the quality of life for individuals with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. She is also dedicated to destigmatizing female urinary and sexual dysfunction to foster greater conversation within the scientific community and enhance transparency between patients and clinicians.
The KURe program at Duke University recruits talented clinical, translational, and basic science researchers from diverse disciplines who are interested in building an independent research career using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to benign urological research questions. Dr. Wilkins will receive the highest quality of mentorship from KURe leadership: Cindy Amundsen, MD, Friederike Jayes, DVM, PhD, and Rebecca Kameny, PhD. As a K12 Scholar, Dr. Wilkins will contribute knowledge to the field of neurourology.
Congratulations, Dr. Wilkins!