Wala Jaser

Wala Jaser joined the RELab in 2025 as part of a collaborative research project with the Cereneo Center for Neurology and Rehabilitation, focusing on the identification of biomarkers for neuromodulation in stroke rehabilitation.

Her research focuses on brain plasticity after stroke, with a particular emphasis on sensitive periods and their role in facilitating early recovery. She investigates neurophysiological mechanisms underlying motor recovery using a multimodal approach that combines electrophysiology, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) , with motor control paradigms and neuroimaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and MRI. Through her current work, she aims to identify mechanisms of early recovery and biomarkers that can guide and optimize personalized neuromodulation therapies.

Wala completed her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Tübingen at the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, under the supervision of Ulf Ziemann and colleagues. Her doctoral work focused on advancing the understanding and treatment of post-stroke spasticity, combining methodological developments in measurement with clinical investigations of repetitive TMS (rTMS) protocols. During this time, she worked closely with the Neurology Department at the University Hospital Tübingen, contributing to clinical and experimental research in one of the leading centers for non-invasive brain stimulation in stroke patients. There, she co-designed and conducted the first randomized controlled trial investigating EEG-driven, brain-state-dependent rTMS in stroke rehabilitation.

Prior to her PhD, Wala pursued postgraduate studies at Oxford Brookes University, where she completed both an MSc and an MPhil in movement science. Her research during this period focused on motor learning in children with developmental coordination disorder and gait control in Parkinson’s disease. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Jordan and gained extensive clinical experience in neurological rehabilitation, working with both inpatient and outpatient populations.

Her long-term research goal is to advance personalized neurorehabilitation by improving our understanding of post-stroke recovery and developing targeted rehabilitation approaches based on individual recovery profiles, ultimately enhancing functional outcomes and quality of life after stroke.