Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellow
Jillian Cox
Jillian Cox is a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
Describe your interest in participating in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship.
Cox: My interest in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship stems from both my unique academic journey and a deep awareness of the communication gap between science and the public. As a first-generation student from rural Oklahoma, I’ve seen how limited exposure to scientific research and health information can impact communities. At the same time, I’ve observed within academia how transformative research often fails to reach beyond lab meetings, papers, and conferences. These two perspectives have shaped my conviction that it is not enough to generate knowledge—we must also ensure it is accessible, understandable, and relevant to the broader public and policymakers.
Throughout my academic training, I’ve been drawn to opportunities that focus on translating complex science into meaningful public engagement. As an undergraduate, I helped secure funding for an outreach program that connected underrepresented elementary students from rural schools with virtual science lessons delivered by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. As a graduate student, I have expanded these efforts through leadership roles and advocacy-focused events. From 2024–2025, I served as Vice President of the Oklahoma Student Chapter of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA-OK), where I organized community events, including a Longest Day Fundraiser and a Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, to support the Alzheimer’s Association. I also led a workshop series titled “Bridging the Gap: Researchers and Those Facing Dementia,” which focused on preparing early-career scientists for communicating and empathizing with individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, I was invited to give a lecture to undergraduate researchers titled “Communicating Science to Non-Scientists,” further supporting young researchers in sharing their work with broad audiences and continuing my commitment to public engagement beyond formal leadership roles. Overall, I am eager to build upon my local outreach efforts and contribute meaningfully at the national level.
These experiences have clarified my long-term goal: to help ensure that scientific research informs public understanding and policy. The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship aligns closely with this vision. I am particularly drawn to the program’s structured and intentional training across three essential areas: (1) Science Policy and Advocacy, (2) Communication and Advocacy Training, and (3) Leadership and Professional Skills Development. These components offer the kind of comprehensive foundation that I believe is necessary to become an effective voice in science policy. I am especially eager to learn how legislation, regulation, and funding decisions are made, and how they can be shaped to better support access to biomedical research and healthcare.
How do you plan to use the knowledge and experience gained through your participation in the Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship?
Cox: My long-term goal is to represent Oklahoma on a national level by advocating for stronger integration of scientific research, public engagement, and health policy. I intend to use the experience gained through this fellowship to enhance science communication, outreach, and dementia-related policy in my home state—particularly in rural and underrepresented communities.
Participation in this fellowship will give me the tools to translate research into meaningful public dialogue and legislative impact. I plan to apply this training by establishing a statewide outreach program that connects Oklahoma researchers with their communities through engaging public events and science forums. These events would aim to demystify current research and promote dialogue between scientists and the public, ultimately inspiring young students and fostering trust in science. In the long term, I also aim to contribute to national policy discussions, particularly those that affect biomedical research funding and dementia care.
The fellowship’s immersive experience with federal agencies, legislative processes, and expert mentors will be instrumental in preparing me to represent Oklahoma voices in the sensational conversations. The Howard Garrison Advocacy Fellowship will not only advance my career but also amplify my capacity to serve both my local community and the broader field of science policy.
Using no more than 250 words, describe your research as you would to a non-scientist.
Cox: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating condition that gradually deteriorates the brain, causing a decline in memory, thinking, and independence. As the most common form of dementia, it affects millions of people worldwide, yet there is still no cure. One striking but poorly understood aspect of AD is that it impacts men and women differently. Women are more likely to develop the disease and tend to show more severe brain changes, while men often experience a faster progression to death. My research aims to understand why these differences exist and how we can use that knowledge to improve treatment.
A key player in brain health is a type of immune cell called microglia. These cells act like the brain’s cleanup crew and support system: they remove harmful substances, respond to injury, and help brain cells communicate. In our lab, we’ve found that male and female microglia behave differently during Alzheimer’s disease, where female microglia show more inflammation and heightened responses, but the underlying cause is unknown.
My project focuses on sex chromosomes, the biggest genetic difference between males and females, as a possible explanation for these microglial differences. Since genes carry instructions for how cells function, understanding which genes are involved can reveal why male and female brains respond differently to disease. By uncovering how male and female genetics influence these immune responses, my research may lead to more personalized, sex-specific treatments to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease—a sex-biased condition.
Briefly describe any past or present participation in additional career exploration activities, experiences, and/or programs.
Cox: I believe a productive scientific career requires continuous growth beyond the classroom and bench. To that end, I have actively pursued a range of professional development experiences to complement my training. For leadership development, I’ve served on student panels, led campus tours, participated in student organizations, and mentored high school, undergraduate, and graduate students both in and outside the lab. I serve as a Project Lead on the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s Trainee Leadership Committee, where I helped launch a Peer Mentorship Program to connect junior trainees with senior trainees to strengthen integration within our local research community. To build my communication skills, I have presented posters, oral talks, and flash talks to broad audiences at both local and international events.
I also hold a predoctoral appointment in the NIH-NIA NRSA T32 Geroscience Training Program (PI: Sonntag, 5T32AG052363), which emphasizes scientific communication through seminars, journal clubs, and regular faculty engagement. Most recently, I attended the 2025 Biology of Aging Course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. This immersive three-week experience not only introduced me to cutting-edge techniques in aging research but also provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with peers and leading scientists in the field, resulting in lasting, meaningful relationships. Collectively, these experiences have expanded my scientific and professional skill set and deepened my commitment to leadership, mentorship, and effective science communication as central pillars of my academic career.
Jillian Cox is a member of American Aging Association, a FASEB member society.