Jeffrey Harder, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Researching axon degeneration and the roles of immunity in the central nervous system and diet in glaucoma.

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About Jeffrey Harder, Ph.D.

I joined the Simon John lab in the spring of 2013, excited by the opportunity of working with Dr. John and using a multidisciplinary approach in my research. Using DBA/2J mice as a model of glaucoma, my current research focuses on axon degeneration, the role of innate immunity in the central nervous system, and the role of diet in neurodegeneration. This includes studying the role of JNKs in glaucomatous injury and working to identify early signaling events that may initiate injury. For another project, I am collaborating with faculty from Dalhousie University, working on defining human genes responsible for exfoliation syndrome glaucoma. I also work closely with fellow postdoc Pete Williams and help direct two research assistants in the lab. This opportunity to collaborate and manage while working through complex projects is broadening my conceptual thinking abilities both scientifically and managerially, and improving the array of skill sets necessary for running a lab.

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Grants, honors and accomplishments

2014 The Barbara and Joseph Cohen Endowmen

2013 Immunology Training Fellowship, The Jackson Laboratory

2011 National Eye Institute Travel Grant, ARVO

2011 Pathology Research Day Poster Award, University of Rochester Medical School.

2008 Vision Training Fellowship, University of Rochester.

2007 Pathology Graduate Program Award, University of Rochester Medical School.

2001 Awarded Scholars Medal by Schreyers Honor College, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

Press ReleaseApril 30, 2018
Detecting human genome structural variation with long read sequencing
A research team led by Chia-lin Wei is using technology to more easily detect and classify important types of difficult-to-find genomic alterations, known as structural variants.
- Genetic Tools
- Genetics and Genomics
Press ReleaseApril 05, 2018
DNA sequence alterations linked to type 2 diabetes genes and mechanisms
Michael Stitzel, Ph.D., a Jackson Laboratory assistant professor, is the senior author of a paper in the American Journal of Human Genetics identifying new genetic clues to type 2 diabetes mechanisms.
Search MagazineMarch 05, 2018
Developing new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is still poorly understood despite its huge costs and burden. Greg Carter is working at the intersection between patient and mouse research to develop accurate disease models and develop effective therapies.
Tech CornerFebruary 20, 2018
How does 'big data' define you?
Embrace the complexity of a trillion-line Excel file.

Tech CornerApril 05, 2018
Finding the signal in the noise
GeneWeaver is a powerful web-based software system that combines a genomics data repository with powerful analysis tools.
- Genetic Tools
- Genetics and Genomics
Research HighlightApril 03, 2018
Calling all structural variants
Structural variants, or SVs, are large DNA sequences that are inserted, inverted, deleted or duplicated within genomes. Finding SVs with short-read seq and analysis methods is difficult, but a new SV identification tool, FusorSV, sets a gold standard for SV detection and analysis.
- Genetic Tools
- Genetics and Genomics
Tech CornerFebruary 21, 2018
JAX releases new online minicourses to address research challenges
The new Online MiniCourse and Certificates program provides digital, on-demand access to learning modules based on our renowned in-person courses, conferences, and workshops.
Search MagazineDecember 07, 2017
Human genetics and the weight of expectation
It's been 15 years since the first human genome sequence was published, and with it launched a decade and a half of human genetics and genomics inquiry that has brought amazing progress — and perhaps an equal amount of frustration. Where do we go from here?