Elena Tonc

Elena Tonc is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Hamilton College, appointed in 2025. She holds a Ph.D. in Immunology from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.A. in Chemistry and Biology from Macalester College.

• Education: Ph.D. in Immunology (Washington University in St. Louis), B.A. in Chemistry and Biology (Macalester College)

Tonc's research focuses on immune regulation, inflammation, chronic pain, and cancer. Her work spans mechanistic immunology, tumor suppression pathways, and neuroimmune interactions in vulvar pain disorders.

• Key Research Areas: Immune regulation in chronic pain, c-MYC/TFAP4 tumor suppression pathways, T cell responses to infections/cancer, mast cell-fibroblast interactions in vulvodynia

Her recent publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches to immunology education, molecular mechanisms of B cell lymphomas, immune contributions to vulvodynia, and T cell differentiation during chronic infections.

• Labs & Facilities: Conducts research at Taylor Science Center (Hamilton College), previously worked at Washington University and Macalester College