In this compelling episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westphal sits down with Jackson Mace, a neuroscience PhD candidate at Johns Hopkins University and 2023 Toffler Scholar, to explore the cutting-edge research driving our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases—particularly multiple sclerosis (MS).
Drawing from personal experience—his father’s MS diagnosis—and a deep academic curiosity, Jackson shares the winding path that led him from undergraduate lab work to a promising career in neuroimmunology. Together, they discuss:
🧠 Why MS is more than just an autoimmune condition—and how it’s being reframed as a neurodegenerative disease
🧪 The experimental models Jackson uses to study gray matter lesions and cell death in the brain, spinal cord, and eyes
🧬 His work on a little-known but powerful cell death pathway known as Parthanatos, and how it could unlock new therapeutic strategies
💊 A behind-the-scenes look at how early research and seed funding (including support from the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust) fuels long-term breakthroughs
🌍 The critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscience, immunology, and pharmacology
🗣️ Why scientific communication and mentorship matter just as much as lab results
Whether you're a fellow researcher, a curious patient advocate, or simply fascinated by the future of brain science, this episode sheds light on the personal and professional forces driving the next generation of neuroscience discovery.
👤 Guest:
Jackson Mace, Neuroscience PhD Candidate, Johns Hopkins University
📍LinkedIn: Jackson Mace
📧 Email: jackson.w.mace@gmail.com
🔗 Learn more about the show and the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust:
To learn more about the breakthroughs discussed in this episode and to support ongoing research, visit our website at tofflertrust.org.
Technical Podcast Support by Jon Keur at Wayfare Recording Co.
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