"As a parent, part of the reason I do this research is to create a brighter future for my son's generation. It makes my work that much more important to me."
— Dr. Julie McElrath
/content/dam/www/people-profile-photos/m/julie-mcelrath/julie-mcelrath-d.jpg
McElrath
Julie McElrath, MD, PhD
- Senior Vice President and Director, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
- Professor, Immunology and Vaccine Development Program, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
- Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
- Joel D. Meyers Endowed Chair, Fred Hutch
- Member, Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC), Fred Hutch
- Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC), Fred Hutch
- Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Global Health and Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington
Background
Dr. Julie McElrath is a global leader in the study of ways to prevent and control infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. As a principal investigator and director of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network’s Laboratory Center, she works to develop an effective vaccine and plays a key role in HVTN, the largest international program for testing such vaccines. Her team develops tests to predict the effectiveness of potential HIV vaccines before they move on to large-scale clinical trials, so resources can be steered to the most promising candidates. She also directs the Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, one of many international sites involved in HIV prevention trials. As head of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at Fred Hutch, Dr. McElrath spearheads research on ways to protect against microbial threats and improve outcomes for people with chronic infections and cancer. Her own research is uncovering how HIV enters cells that line the genital tract and how specialized immune cells in this tissue might protect against HIV exposure. She also studies those who do not contract HIV despite repeated exposure and those whose infections do not progress for many years. When COVID-19 emerged, Dr. McElrath used her expertise to tackle this latest global pandemic.
Education
MD, Medical University of South Carolina, 1980
PhD, Medical University of South Carolina, 1978
Research Interests
Understanding human immune responses that control and prevent HIV infection using multi-disciplinary and cross-platform approaches
HIV-1 vaccine development globally
Identifying innate immune mechanisms following vaccination
Current Projects
HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Laboratory
Seattle HIV Vaccine Trials Unit (HVTU)
Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery (CAVD)
Immune Correlates of Protection Following Malaria and Tuberculosis Vaccines
Long Term Non-Progressor Cohort (LTNP)
Microbicide Trials Network