Elizabeth R. Gavis

Elizabeth R. Gavis is the Damon B. Pfeiffer Professor in the Life Sciences in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, where she also serves as Chair of the department and is an Associated Faculty member in the Quantitative and Computational Biology program. She has been a member of the Princeton faculty since 1994, following her MD-PhD training at Stanford University and postdoctoral work at MIT’s Whitehead Institute.

• Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
• Associated Faculty, Quantitative and Computational Biology, Princeton University

Her research focuses on the intersection of RNA biology and developmental biology, particularly post-transcriptional gene regulation in Drosophila. Her lab investigates mRNA localization, translational control, and RNA granule dynamics during germ cell and neuronal development using genetics, biochemistry, and high-resolution imaging.

Recent publications highlight her lab’s work on RNA-binding proteins such as Glorund and FMRP, germ plasm assembly, dendritic arborization, and the biophysical principles underlying RNA granule formation. The research spans molecular mechanisms, cellular dynamics, and developmental processes, reflecting an integrative approach combining experimental and computational methods.

• President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, Princeton University (2020)
• Innovation Award, Department of Molecular Biology (2014)
• President, North American Drosophila Board of Directors (2011)

She is deeply committed to education and mentorship, teaching foundational courses such as "Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology," directing the undergraduate program in Molecular Biology, and co-founding the Princeton/Rutgers MD-PhD program. She actively promotes the advancement of women in science through mentorship programs. Her lab is a vibrant research environment advancing understanding of gene regulation in development.