Irina Artsimovitch

Irina Artsimovitch is an Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor and Professor of Microbiology at The Ohio State University. She holds affiliations with the Center for RNA Biology, Infectious Diseases Institute, and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program. Her research focuses on RNA synthesis mechanisms in bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, using biochemical, structural, and computational approaches. Key areas include transcription elongation, antibiotic mechanisms, and viral replication.

Education: M.S. (Moscow State University, 1990), Ph.D. (University of Tennessee, 1996), Postdoc (University of Wisconsin, 1996–2001).

Research Interests: RNA polymerase function, transcription-coupled processes, antimicrobial development, and viral RdRp mechanisms. Current projects include Rho termination factor dynamics, RfaH metamorphosis, and SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Awards: Doctor Honoris Causa (University of Turku), AAAS and American Academy of Microbiology Fellowships.

Grants & Labs: Active in collaborative research with Markus Wahl, Peter Freddolino, and others. Focus on structural biology, drug discovery, and transcription regulation.