Our story
Cionic was founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur Jeremiah Robison, who believed that there must be better options for his daughter's cerebral palsy diagnosis than crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs.
He knew from a 20 year career driving innovation at companies like Apple, Openwave, Slide, and Jawbone that advances in sensing, machine learning, and materials presented an opportunity to design nuanced assistive systems that adapt elegantly to individual mobility needs.
Our first product is inspired by two clinical experiences in his daughter's journey:
At eight years old, doctors prescribed a movement analysis to better understand how her body moved during stepping. A data capture session was scheduled at a gait lab, and after an hour of setup with optical markers and EMG sensors, she walked in a controlled straight line and a one-page report was generated.
When she was nine, functional electrical stimulation was introduced as part of her physical therapy. The therapist would carefully place electrode pads on individual muscle groups and then follow behind while his daughter walked tethered with long leads pressing a left and a right button.
Bold
We continuously challenge the expectations of human capabilities, pushing for a world beyond disability.
Rigorous
We do so with great scientific rigor, ensuring that we can consistently reproduce meaningful outcomes.
Collaborative
This challenge is bigger than one company, and it will take strong collaborations to enable a community of solutions.
Grateful
We are grateful to our users for entrusting us with their hope, and we will stop at nothing to see it fulfilled.
Enrique Alvarez, MD, PhD
Enrique Alvarez, MD, PhD, serves as an Associate Professor and Assistant Medical Director of Neurology, actively driving advancements in neurological care. As a member of esteemed organizations including the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the Society for Neuroscience (SFN), Dr. Alvarez practices at the UCHealth Neurosciences Center and UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion. Since achieving board certification in Neurology in 2012, he has specialized in neuroimmunology, with a particular emphasis on conditions like Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Alvarez's clinical pursuits extend to other neuroimmunological disorders such as neuromyelitis optica, neurosarcoidosis, and autoantibody/paraneoplastic syndromes, reflecting his comprehensive expertise in the field.
Deborah Backus, PT, PhD, FCRM
Deborah Backus, PT, PhD, FCRM, is a nationally recognized leader in neurorehabilitation research, physical therapy, and education, with more than 30 years of experience advancing evidence-based care for individuals with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions. As Vice President of Research & Innovation and Director of the Virginia C. Crawford Research Institute at Shepherd Center, she oversees multidisciplinary research programs and strategic partnerships that translate discoveries into real-world solutions for patients. She has also held influential national leadership roles, including as President of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. She currently serves on multiple advisory boards and committees, including the Georgia Research Alliance Board of Trustees, SCI Ventures Board of Directors, and the NINDS/NICHD NeuroRehab Common Data Elements Oversight Committee. She also holds adjunct faculty appointments at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Michelle Cameron, MD, PT, MCR
Michelle H. Cameron, MD, PT, MCR, a neurologist and physical therapist, is an adjunct Professor in the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University and was the Co-Director of the VA MS Center of Excellence West and Acting Chief of Neurology at the Portland VA. Dr. Cameron also founded the International Symposium on Gait and Balance in MS. Her clinical practice has focused on the neurological care and rehabilitation of people with MS and her research focuses on mobility and falls in people with MS.
Barry Singer, MD
Barry Singer, MD is the Director and Founder of The MS Center for Innovations in Care at Missouri Baptist Medical Center and an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Singer has served as an investigator in more than 40 multiple sclerosis clinical trials, advancing new therapeutic options including remyelination strategies. He has also received a Congressional Proclamation for MS research and has served on the Board of Directors of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Additionally, he is the creator of MSLivingWell.org, an award-winning patient education website, and the host of the MS Living Well podcast, which is dedicated to improving the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis around the world.
Rebecca Spain, MD, MPH, FAAN
Rebecca Spain received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. She completed neurology residency and neuroimmunology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University where she also received a Master of Science in Public Health. Dr. Spain then joined the faculty at OHSU and the Portland VA. Dr. Spain’s research interests include studying effects of wellness activities and supplements with a special focus on progressive forms of MS. Her work as Director of the VA MS Center of Excellence-West promotes high quality MS care to all Veterans with MS.
