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.

Research HighlightMarch 12, 2019
A closer look at structural variants in the genome
A recent Cell paper uses long-read DNA sequencing and other advanced genomics tools and methods to shed light on genomic structural variants.
Research HighlightMarch 08, 2019
Breaking up is hard to do
New research shows that proteins work together to enable DNA double-strand breaks during meiosis.
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
Press ReleaseMarch 05, 2019
JAX receives grant to learn why flu vaccines are less effective in the elderly
$2.8 million federal grant to The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) to understand the aging-related genomic changes in immune cells that affect responses to flu vaccines.
Research HighlightFebruary 28, 2019
Two proteins essential for layered sterocilia elongation in the inner-ear
A research team led by Basile Tarchini has found two new proteins that are essential to the correct elongation of stereocilia, tiny hair-like cellular protrusions in the inner ear.

Research HighlightMarch 08, 2019
Long-range connectivity and gene regulation networks
A complicated three-dimensional network involving proteins and specific DNA sequences helps regulate the expression of genes. New work led by JAX’s Chia-Lin Wei shows how one protein, SOX2, plays a significant role in neural stem cells, affecting many aspects of development and function.
Search MagazineMarch 06, 2019
Finding a better way to fight childhood cancers
Ching Lau is working to find effective therapies and test them against patients’ own tumors in specially made patient derived xenotype (PDX) mice.
Press ReleaseMarch 05, 2019
3D genomics one nucleus at a time
Supported by a recent four-year, $2.3M grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Wei is looking to develop a method for chromatin interaction analysis in single nuclei, with single-molecule resolution.
- Genetic Tools
- Genetics and Genomics
Press ReleaseFebruary 18, 2019
A crystal ball for looking at the complexity of the 3D genome
A team led by Jackson Laboratory Professor Yijun Ruan, Ph.D., has developed a new method, called ChIA-Drop, that allows researchers to investigate 3D genomic structures with unprecedented precision and clarity.