Elana Ehrlich

Elana Ehrlich is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Towson University's Fisher College of Science and Mathematics. She holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from Johns Hopkins University and completed a Viral Oncology fellowship. Her research focuses on how viruses manipulate cellular processes through the ubiquitin proteasome system, with emphasis on Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus and cancer pathways.

Her laboratory investigates:

• Viral hijacking of ubiquitin pathways in host cells
• Regulation of Hsp90 client proteins in cancer
• Molecular mechanisms of viral latency-lytic cycle switching
• Cullin5-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase functions

Dr. Ehrlich's publications consistently explore viral-host interactions, protein degradation mechanisms, and cancer biology. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between virology, oncology, and molecular cell biology.

Notable scientific honors include:

• Jess & Mildred Fisher Endowed Chair (2014)
• Women’s Forum Faculty Research Award (2013)
• Delta Omega Poster Competition First Place (2005)

She actively mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers in virology techniques, with students contributing to publications on viral protein degradation pathways. Her NIH-funded lab utilizes molecular virology, proteomics, and cell biology approaches.