The Ward Lab - Home | Emory School of Medicine

Welcome to the Ward Lab

Jill Ward, PhD — Dr. Jill Ward, Assistant Professor

Our Research

Enhancing axon regeneration is a primary therapeutic target for the improvement and restoration of function after nervous system injuries, such as spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. Axons in peripheral nerves have a limited ability to regenerate and can be enhanced with activity-based therapies, such as locomotor training. We aim to investigate how these activity-based therapies enhance regeneration leading to improved function and quality of life after spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. The lab's current interests are investigating translatable therapeutics targets to enhance axon regeneration and improve neural repair. We are also investigating plasticity within the sympathetic nervous system after neural injury and skeletal muscle metabolic health.

Honors, Awards and Fellowships

2022 Dr. Ward was honored with the R.R. Bensley Award in Cell Biology from the American Association for Anatomy

2021 Dr. Ward received the Emory School of Medicine "Hidden Gem Award."

2021 Pilot Award. Emory Specialized Center of Research Excellence on Sex Differences.

2019 Early Career Research Award. NIH/NICHD National Center for Medical Rehabilitative Research.

2019 Certificate Program in Translational Research. Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.

2014 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award. F32 Post-doctoral fellowship, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

2010 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award. F31 Pre-doctoral fellowship, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.