Elebeoba May

Elebeoba May is an Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As Director of the Multi-scale Immunobiology Design, Algorithms, and Simulation (MIDAS) Lab, she integrates computational and empirical approaches to develop predictive models of biological systems, focusing on chronic infections, biodefense, and biomanufacturing.

• Education: BS, MS, and PhD in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Her research applies coding theory and information theory to biological processes such as gene expression and microbial communication, creating engineering solutions for challenges in tuberculosis modeling, cellular systems simulation, and immune response dynamics. She also investigates vitamin D3’s role in immunomodulation and designs computational tools for biosensors and granuloma analysis.

The 15 most recent articles highlight her expertise in multiscale modeling, immunology, and computational systems biology. Key trends include vitamin D3’s impact on macrophage responses, biofilm formation in E. coli, and integration of in silico and in vitro methods for disease modeling.

Scientific Awards:

• NIH/NHLBI K25 Quantitative Research Career Development Award
• NSF Directors Award for Superior Accomplishment
• Women of Color Research Sciences and Technology Award

Her research has been supported by grants from the Department of Energy (DoE), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Science Foundation (NSF). She is affiliated with Sandia National Laboratories, the University of Houston, and served as an NSF Program Director in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences.