Jed A. Diekfuss

Dr. Jed Diekfuss is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at Emory University School of Medicine and Director of Motor Neuroimaging at the Emory Sports Performance And Research Center (SPARC). He also serves as a Research Health Science Specialist at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center and is a full member of the CReATE Motion Center, holding research leadership roles across Emory SPARC and the Atlanta VA.

His interdisciplinary research integrates advanced brain and musculoskeletal imaging, experimental psychology, biomechanics, and motor behavior to investigate the mechanisms underlying injury, pain, and recovery, with the ultimate goal of advancing personalized prevention and rehabilitation strategies. Dr.

Diekfuss leads research efforts that combine quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques with biomechanical, behavioral, and clinical assessments to characterize brain structure and function, muscle morphology and composition, ligament healing and maturation, and joint health.

His research spans anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention and rehabilitation, chronic musculoskeletal pain, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and the neurological consequences of sports-related concussion and repetitive head impact exposure. A central objective of his work is to identify neural and musculoskeletal imaging biomarkers of injury risk and recovery that can inform targeted interventions to improve movement, reduce pain, and optimize clinical outcomes. Dr.

Diekfuss has authored more than 115 peer-reviewed publications and has received research support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, GE HealthCare, Arthrex Inc., and other organizations.

He earned his PhD in Kinesiology (Applied Neuromechanics) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and completed postdoctoral training in neuroimaging and sports medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. His work seeks to advance injury prevention, rehabilitation, and long-term health outcomes across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on the health and quality of life of U.S. Veterans.