Senior Associate Dean

James W. Lillard, PhD, MBA Senior Associate Dean Research, Innovation and Commercialization jlillard@msm.edu Professor Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology (404) 752-1863 Hugh Gloster Building, Room 340

GRADUATE:

University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology & Immunology

Emory University Goizueta Business School

Degree: Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Track

UNDERGRADUATE:

Ohio State University

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Science Engineering

Dr. Lillard is an immunologist who uses both in silico and in vivo methods to develop biologics or molecular tests to better treat or diagnose, respectively, chronic diseases. His research involves dissecting the molecular mechanisms of cancer and inflammatory diseases, using clinically annotated NGS and real-world data for the implementation of precision medicine. His research contributions span disciplines including oncology, immunity, inflammation and biodefense. Dr. Lillard’s cumulative peer-reviewed funding principally directed over his scientific career exceeds $120 million and he has authored over 300 scientific communications, which have been cited over 13,500 times.

M.L. Churchman, X. Lu, D.M. McKean, M.D. Radmacher, Q. Zhang, R.J. Rounbehler, A.C. Tan, T.I. Shaw, A. Obermayer, G.D. Grass, D. Spakowicz, A.A. Tarhini, K.H. Shain, R.R. Canevarolo, M.B. Meads, A.S. Silva, P.R. Sudalagunta, B.J. Manley, S. Huntsman, D. Collyar, J.M. Kolesar, B.M. Evers, N. Single, S.B. Edge, C.S. Johnson, G.J. Weiner, M.D. McCarter, V.F. Borges, L. Horne, J.W. Lillard, Jr, D.P. Mudaranthakam, J. White, S. Libutti, S. Ganesan, G.M. Riedlinger, T.P. Loughran Jr, D.G. Halme, M.A. Johns, C. Arciero, B. Salhia, A.R. Naqash, C.D. Shriver, K.P. Lee, B.P. Schneider, D.A. Nix, G.C. Fillmore, H. Colman, C.M. Ulrich, B.C. Springer, R. Pollock, E.A. Vucic, J. Sherman, A.K. Jain, W.S. Dalton, P. Agius, and E.M. Siegel. 2026. The Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) - Building a Real-World Collaborative, Patient-driven Infrastructure for Discovery Research and Precision Oncology. Res Sq 2:7077810. PMID: 42281974.
S. Susalka, J. Lillard, T. Litvin-Vechnyak, S. Nappi, and K. Porter. 2025. Cultivating Innovation, Developing an Ecosystem for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Providing a Support System for Technology Transfer. Technology Innovation 24:198-203. https://doi.org/10.1080/19498241.2025.2565872
A. Awai, E.L. Johnson, T. Leng, J. Patrickson, M.C. Zody, H. Phatnani, and J.W. Lillard, Jr.2025. Stratifying ALS Patients by Mode of Inheritance Reveals Transcriptomic Signatures Specific to sALS and fALS. Int J Mol Sciences 26:9234. PMID: 410009796
C.D. Young, K.M. Carey, C.D. Dill, S.K. Nunez, T.L. Griffen, E.B. Dammer, and J.W. Lillard, Jr. 2025. Integrated Systems Biology Reveals an 8-Gene Signature Predicting Early-stage Lung Adenocarcinoma Progression and Patient Survival. Scientific Reports 15:34762.PMID: 41053230
S.K. Nunez, C.D. Young, T.L. Griffen, A.Q. Ohandjo, L.P. McKinney, S. Kopetz, and J.W. Lillard, Jr. 2021. Identification of Gene Co-Expression Networks Associated with Consensus Molecular Subtype-1 of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers PMID: 34830978
K.M. Carey, C.D. Young, A.J. Clark, E.B. Dammer, R. Singh, and J.W. Lillard, Jr. 2024. Subtype-Specific Analysis of Gene Co-expression Networks and Immune Cell Profiling Reveals High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Subtype Linkage to Variable Immune Microenvironment. J Ovarian Cancer 17:240. PMID: 39627836
A. J. Clark, R. Singh, R.L. Leonis, E.A. Stahlberg, Z.S. Clark, and J.W. Lillard, Jr^x. 2024. Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis Associated with Endometrial Cancer Tumorigenesis and Survival Outcomes. Int J Mol Sciences 25:12356. PMID: 39596419
R. Fairley, J.W. Lillard, Jr., A. Berk, S. Cornew, J. Gaspero, J. Gillespie, L.L. Horne, S. Kidane, S.B. Munro, M. Parsons, E.R. Powers, S.E. Rizzo, A. Tishcler, H. Wohl, and M.C. Weiss. 2023. Increasing Clinical Trial Participation of Black Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities PMID: 37314691
J.W. Lillard, Jr., K.A. Moses, B.A. Mahal, and D.J. George. 2022. Racial disparities in Black men with prostate cancer. Cancer PMID: 36066378
O.O. Adebayo, E.B. Dammer, C.D. Dill, A.O. Adebayo, S.O. Oseni, T.L. Griffen, A.Q. Ohandjo, S. Jain, B.G. Barwick, R. Singh, L.H. Boise, and J.W. Lillard, Jr. 2022. Multivariant Transcriptome Analysis Identifies Modules and Hub Genes Associated with Poor Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients. CancersPMID: 35565356
T.L. Griffen, F.W. Hoff, Y. Qiu, J.W. Lillard, Jr., A. Ferrajoli, P. Thompson, E. Toro, K. Ruiz, J. Burger, W. Wierda, and S.M. Kornblau. 2022. Proteomic profiling-based classification of CLL provides prognostication for modern therapy and identifies novel therapeutic targets. Blood Cancer PMID: 35301276
S.K. Nunez, C.D. Young, T.L. Griffen, A.Q. Ohandjo, L.P. McKinney, S. Kopetz, and J.W. Lillard, Jr. 2021. Identification of Gene Co-Expression Networks Associated with Consensus Molecular Subtype-1 of Colorectal Cancer. CancersPMID: 34830978
A.P. Howard, L.S. Slaughter, K.M. Carey, and J.W. Lillard, Jr. 2021. Bridges to biotechnology and bioentrepreneurship: improving diversity in the biotechnology sector. Nature Biotech PMID: 34754115
T.L. Griffen, E. Dammer, C.D. Dill, K.M. Carey, C. Young, S.K. Nunez, and J.W. Lillard Jr. 2021. Multivariate transcriptome analysis identifies networks and key drivers of chronic lymphocytic leukemia relapse risk and patient survival. BMC Med Genomics PMID: 34187466

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Distinguished Fellow of the American Association of Immunologists
American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow
National Academy of Inventors Fellow
Milken Institute, FasterCures Health Equity Advisory Council
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Scientific AdvisoryBoard Member
Veterans Affairs, National Research Advisory Council Member
National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review, Innate Immunity & Inflammation Study Section Member
National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review, Cancer Diagnostics & Treatments (CDT) SBIR Peer Review Panel Member
National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review, Provocative Questions Special Emphasis Peer Review Panel Member
Georgia Cancer Coalition, Distinguished Cancer Scholar Award
United States Food & Drug Administration Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Panel Member
Academy of Microbiologist, Microbial Triggers of Chronic Human Illness Colloquium Member
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Senior Research Scientist Award