Elizabeth Campbell

Elizabeth Campbell is a Professor at The Rockefeller University and heads the Laboratory of Molecular Pathogenesis. Her research focuses on transcriptional mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), aiming to identify therapeutic targets. She employs structural biology, cryo-electron microscopy, and biochemical approaches to study gene expression and replication processes in pathogens.

Education: BA in Biology (1992, Swarthmore College); PhD in Biochemistry (1998, The Rockefeller University); Postdoc at The Rockefeller University (1998–2003). Academic roles include Research Associate (2003–2010), Senior Research Associate (2010–2018), Research Associate Professor (2018–2024), and Professor (2024–).

Research Interests: Combining biophysical and biochemical methods to investigate transcriptional regulation in pathogens. Key areas include RNA polymerase inhibition, viral replication mechanisms (CoVs), and antibiotic resistance. Her work bridges fundamental science and translational medicine, targeting infectious diseases like tuberculosis and coronavirus infections.

Awards:

• Keystone Symposia Early Career Investigator Award (2019)
• Emil von Behring Prize (2023)
• Inclusive Excellence Award in Faculty (2024)

Lab & Collaborations: The Campbell Lab collaborates with Seth A. Darst, Charles M. Rice, and Jeremy Rock to study pathogen transcription. Their findings on Mtb’s transcription factors and SARS-CoV-2 replication mechanisms advance drug discovery. Current efforts emphasize precision targeting of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and understanding viral RNA processing enzymes.