Michael Fehlings is recognized as one of the world's leading clinical and translational researchers in the field of traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury. His pioneering research has been critical in defining the mechanisms of secondary injury after spinal cord injury and the role of demyelination in post-traumatic neurological deficits. His ground breaking findings regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms of spinal cord injury have led to fundamental improvements of clinical practice and developing novel treatments strategies, including stem cell transplantation. In 2017 he led the international effort to develop clinical practice guidelines for traumatic spinal cord injury and degenerative cervical myelopathy. He has authored over 900 highly-cited peer-reviewed publications, edited key textbooks, given over 200 invited international lectures and received numerous prestigious international awards.