Fellow Focus in Four: Eric Isaac Elliott, MD, PhD, fellow (Infectious Diseases)

Why did you choose medicine? 

At the onset of my undergraduate studies I had not initially anticipated studying medicine, however I soon developed an interest in basic cellular biology and microbiology. This interest led me to pursue formative undergraduate research experiences spanning cancer biology and cell death, viral epidemiology, and developmental immunology. Concurrently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to shadow exceptional clinical mentors solidifying an interest in infectious disease prior to applying to medical school. Ultimately these experiences would catalyze an enthusiasm for study of pathogen-recognition and host-response to infection and draw me to the lab of Fayyaz Sutterwala, MD, PhD, (infectious disease) and Suzanne Cassel, MD, (allergy/immunology) for my graduate studies at the University of Iowa and Cedars-Sinai where I studied inflammasome biology and furthered my commitment to the study of internal medicine and infectious disease.

What was your path to Yale?

In 2010, I joined the University of Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) where I completed my medical training in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and my graduate studies in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Subsequently, I joined the Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) at Yale where I completed residency (2018-2020) and began infectious disease fellowship (2020-present).

What's a fun fact about you?

I am slowly amassing an impressive collection of guitars (10 presently).

Perks of living in New Haven? Connecticut?

Awesome food and breweries, outdoor activities from hiking to sailing, beautiful New England towns, museums, concerts/shows, historic sites and architecture, and proximity to New York and Boston.

What is your 5-year goal? 10-year? Overall career?

My research focuses on understanding metabolic adaptations to inflammation in the context of sepsis. I will soon apply for a career development award to pave the path towards becoming an independent investigator. In five years, I would hope to have a well-funded independent research program supporting trainees and post-docs and within 10 years expanding into other areas of translational immunology research. Throughout I hope to continue learning from my immunocompromised patients in clinic and critically ill patients on the wards.