Michael B. Elowitz

Michael B. Elowitz is the Roscoe Gilkey Dickinson Professor of Biology and Bioengineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). He holds a B.A. from the University of California (1992), and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University (1999). His research focuses on synthetic and systems biology, particularly designing biological circuits to program cellular behaviors and understand natural developmental and signaling pathways. Key interests include gene circuit dynamics, intercellular communication, and synthetic therapeutic systems.

Elowitz’s lab combines synthetic biology with reconstitution of natural pathways to study how cells process signals and develop. Recent work emphasizes mammalian systems, targeting capabilities like cellular coordination, computation, and memory. Notable projects include molecular recording systems for lineage tracking and synthetic circuits for cancer therapy. He leads the HHMI team and served as Executive Officer at Caltech (2013–2020).

• Education:
  • B.A., University of California, 1992
  • M.A. & Ph.D., Princeton University, 1999
• Awards:
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator (2008–present)
  • Bren Scholar (2003–2009)

Publications highlight advancements in programmable cell death, RNA export technologies, and insights into Notch and BMP signaling. His work bridges fundamental biology with translational applications, including cell-based therapeutics and diagnostic tools.