Elitza S. Theel

Elitza S. Theel, Ph.D., is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, where she serves as a Consultant in the Division of Clinical Microbiology within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. She directs the Clinical Microbiology PhD Fellowship program accredited through the American Society for Microbiology and contributes significantly to diagnostic laboratory medicine at Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Dr. Theel's research interests focus on developing and evaluating serologic assays for diagnosing bacterial, viral, and fungal infectious diseases. Her work specifically targets infections caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, Histoplasma capsulatum, Dengue virus, and Strogyloides stercoralis. She has led significant advancements in vector-borne disease diagnostics, viral testing methodologies, and dimorphic fungal detection systems. Her research has direct clinical applications, with implemented assays available to patients and providers through Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Dr. Theel's publications reveal a consistent focus on diagnostic testing methodologies across infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on serologic approaches, molecular diagnostics, and laboratory equity. Her work spans from foundational parasitology studies to cutting-edge pandemic response research, demonstrating remarkable versatility within clinical microbiology.

• 2024 Fellow - American Academy of Microbiology
• 2021 Young Investigator Award from Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
• 2020 30 Under 40 Award from Business Insider
• 2020 Heroes of the Pandemic Honoree from Star Tribune
• 2017 40 Under 40 Honoree from American Society for Clinical Pathology

As Editor for the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and the Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, and co-host of a monthly ASM-sponsored podcast, Dr. Theel plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge throughout the clinical microbiology community. She has also contributed to international laboratory outreach programs in Belize City, focusing on implementing high-impact diagnostic assays and optimizing laboratory quality and safety standards.