Elizabeth A Eklund

Dr. Elizabeth A Eklund is the Johanna Dobe Professor of Hematology and Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where she serves as Professor in the Department of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology). She maintains hospital affiliations with Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, and is a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Her educational background includes:

• MD from Rush Medical College (1983)
• Residency at Mayo Clinic-Rochester (1988)
• Fellowship at Indiana University Medical Center (1991)
• Board Certification in Internal Medicine and Hematology from the American Board of Internal Medicine

Dr. Eklund's research focuses on leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma with particular expertise in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and Fanconi anemia. Her laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of leukemogenesis, including the role of Triad1 protein, HOX gene expression, and signaling pathways in leukemia development and progression. She has made significant contributions to understanding how DNA repair defects in Fanconi anemia lead to bone marrow failure and leukemia.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on molecular mechanisms in myeloid leukemias, with particular emphasis on protein regulation, stress responses, and signaling pathways. Her work bridges basic science discoveries with potential clinical applications, as evidenced by her active clinical trials program.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Translational Research grant
• Research grant from the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund
• VA Merit Review award
• National Institutes of Health grant HL088747

Dr. Eklund actively mentors postdoctoral fellows and maintains productive research collaborations, as evidenced by her leadership of multiple clinical trials including NCI 12H13 studying molecular mechanisms of relapse in CML and NCI 15H01 investigating Triad1's role as a leukemia suppressor. Her work has been supported by substantial grant funding that enables translational research from bench to bedside.

Her laboratory team focuses on understanding molecular pathways in leukemia development and identifying novel therapeutic targets, with particular emphasis on protein regulation, DNA repair mechanisms, and stem cell biology in the context of hematologic malignancies.