Lise Eliot

Lise Eliot is a Professor of Neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University, specifically within the Chicago Medical School and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. She is affiliated with the Foundational Sciences and Humanities department and conducts research at the Stanson Toshok Center for Brain Function and Repair. Her academic journey includes an A.B. degree magna cum laude in History & Science from Harvard University, a PhD in Cellular Physiology & Biophysics from Columbia University, and post-doctoral training in the Division of Neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine.

Dr. Eliot's research focuses on brain and gender development, with particular emphasis on neuroplasticity and how it shapes neural circuitry and behavior. She investigates the complex interplay between innate biology, sociocultural factors, and individual experience in molding our brains across the lifespan. Her work challenges simplistic notions of binary brain differences between sexes, demonstrating through rigorous meta-analyses that structural differences are minimal beyond overall brain size. She has been particularly influential in showing how small initial differences can be amplified through social and environmental factors, a theme explored in her widely-read book "Pink Brain, Blue Brain."

Her research program has produced a substantial body of scholarly work, with numerous publications in high-impact journals through 2025. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on challenging binary categorizations in neuroscience, examining the methodological considerations in studying sex and gender differences, and exploring the implications of neuroplasticity for understanding human behavior. Her work spans multiple disciplines including neuroscience, psychology, gender studies, and education policy.

• Director, MD with Distinction in Research Program
• Institutional Review Board (alternate member)
• Women in Science and Healthcare (WiSH) Symposium Committee Co-Chair
• Conflict of Interest Committee member
• Healthcare Disparities and Equity in Medical Education Task Force member
• CMS Faculty Nominations and Awards Council member

Dr. Eliot teaches several graduate and medical courses including Neurobehavioral Health (MCMS605), Ethics and Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research (GIGP508), and Human Brain Dissection (GNSC505). Her teaching reflects her research interests, emphasizing critical analysis of neuroscience claims, particularly regarding gender differences. Through both her scholarly work and public engagement, she advocates for evidence-based approaches to understanding brain development and gender, challenging popular misconceptions about "hardwired" differences between male and female brains.