Skip to main content

Riyi Shi, PhD

Riyi Shi, PhD Mari Hulman George Endowed Professor of Applied Neuroscience
Professor of Basic Medical Sciences
Director, Center for Paralysis Research
Phone: (765) 496-3018
E-mail: riyi@purdue.edu


College of Veterinary Medicine


Dr. Riyi Shi is the Mari Hulman George Endowed Professor of Applied Neuroscience in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University. Dr. Shi is also the Director of the Purdue Center for Paralysis Research. He obtained his MD from Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine (China), and his PhD from Purdue University.  He completed Postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Shi specializes in uncovering the mechanisms of central nervous system trauma and diseases, as well as instituting new treatments through innovative experimentation and pioneering new strategies in the field. His research contributions include originating the use of the double sucrose gap technique for recording action potential conduction, establishing the methods of neuronal membrane resealing by polyethylene glycol (PEG), identifying acrolein as a key pathological factor in neuronal trauma and degenerative diseases, and establishing novel animal CNS trauma injury models. Three of his therapies have gone to clinical trials, treating patients with spinal cord and head trauma and multiple sclerosis, and one of these (Fampridine), where Dr. Shi made critical contributions, has gained FDA approval as a treatment for CNS degenerative diseases.  He has published more than 190 peer reviewed articles and holds thirteen patents. 

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 (765) 494-4600

© 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Office of Research

If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Office of Research at researchweb@groups.purdue.edu.