Elizabeth Heath-Heckman

Elizabeth Heath-Heckman is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University (MSU) with appointments in the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology and the Neuroscience Program. Located in the College of Natural Science, her research focuses on the cellular, molecular, and genetic basis of host-microbe mutualisms. She utilizes the Hawaiian Bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) and its symbiotic bacteria Vibrio fischeri as a model system to study bacterial colonization, developmental regulation, and environmental influences on symbiosis. Her lab also investigates microbial interactions in Spiralia, employing genomic and computational approaches.

• Education:
• B.A. (2007) - University of Chicago
• Ph.D. (2014) - University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Postdoctoral Fellow (2014-2017) - UC Berkeley
• Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-2020) - UCLA

Dr. Heath-Heckman’s research integrates microbiology, molecular biology, and neuroscience to uncover mechanisms governing beneficial host-microbe relationships. Her work with leech neurodevelopment and squid symbiosis bridges evolutionary and functional perspectives. Recent publications highlight expertise in circadian rhythms, genome evolution, and environmental adaptation. The Heath-Heckman Lab at MSU employs multidisciplinary techniques to explore microbial colonization, gene expression dynamics, and developmental impacts on symbiotic systems.