Colin Franz

Dr. Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, with additional appointments in Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences. Since joining Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in 2018 as a physician-scientist, he directs the electrodiagnostic laboratory, oversees an interdisciplinary complex nerve injury clinic and a diaphragm paralysis clinic, and serves as staff physician in the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Board certified in neuromuscular medicine, electrodiagnostic medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, he completed fellowship training in these specialties and has been in clinical practice since 2012. A member of the Society for Neuroscience since 2003, Peripheral Nerve Society since 2011, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation since 2012, and American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine since 2017—where he serves on the Research Committee—Dr. Franz contributes to advancing clinical and research efforts in neuromuscular disorders.

Dr. Franz directs the Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, where his research centers on axon regeneration, motor neuron disease, complex peripheral nerve injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, diaphragm muscle dysfunction, and neuromuscular ultrasound. Employing molecular, biochemical, and electrophysiological assays alongside human preclinical models such as iPSC-derived neurons, his work explores activity-based treatments for neural restoration, resorbable therapeutic implants to promote nerve healing, and patient-derived stem cells to investigate genetic modifiers of neurotrauma outcomes and regenerative capacity. Supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, American Neuromuscular Foundation, and Belle Carnell Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Fund, key publications include "Stretchable, dynamic covalent polymers for soft, long-lived bioresorbable electronic stimulators designed to facilitate neuromuscular regeneration" (Nature Communications, 2020), "Three-dimensional, multifunctional neural interfaces for cortical spheroids and engineered assembloids" (Science Advances, 2021), "Polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule is necessary for selective targeting of regenerating motor neurons" (Journal of Neuroscience, 2005), and "Wirelessly controlled, bioresorbable drug delivery device with active valves that exploit electrochemically triggered crevice corrosion" (Science Advances, 2020). His contributions have earned awards such as the Foundation for PM&R Richard S. Materson ERF New Investigator Research Award (2018), Helen Cooper Resident Award from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (2016), and Lydia Sikora Memorial Award from the University of Calgary (2011).