Elizabeth A Heller, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Heller joined the the University of Pennsylvania as an Assistant Professor of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics in January 2016. She received her PhD at the Rockefeller University (Heintz Lab) and conducted postdoctoral work at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Nestler Lab).
The Heller Lab studies the underlying molecular mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disease. We use tools of molecular biology, rodent behavioral assays, and epigenetic editing to better understand the role of chromatin in the pathologies of addiction and depression.
Dr. Heller has received several awards, including a Whitehall Foundation Grant, a NARSAD Young Investigator Grant and a NIDA Avenir Award. In 2021 Dr. Heller received her first R01 to study the chromatin regulation of alternative splicing in the context of cocaine addiction.
Curriculum Vitae Highlights
Recent Honors, Awards, and Memberships:
2023: Keynote Speaker, Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience Annual Symposium
2019-Present: Associate member of American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
2019: National Academy of Sciences Kavli Scholar, Japanese-American-German Frontiers of Science Symposium
2017: NIDA Avenir Director’s Pioneer Award
2017: National Academy of Sciences Kavli Scholar, Korean-American Frontiers of Science Symposium
2016: Charles E Kaufman New Investigator Award
2016: Whitehall Foundation Research Grant
2015: Robin Chemers Neustein Postdoctoral Fellowship
2002-Present: The Society for Neuroscience
Faculty Appointments:
2023-Present: Associate Professor of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
2016-2023: Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
2013-2011: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Queens College City University of New York
2010: Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Bard Rockefeller Semester in Science Program
Education:
2009: Ph.D The Rockefeller University (Molecular Biology)
2002: BA The University of Pennsylvania (magna cum laude, Biology)
View Dr. Heller’s Publications
View Dr. Heller’s WWN Neuroepigenetics Lecture
View Dr. Heller’s WWN Neurobiology of Addiction Lecture
View Dr. Heller’s 2020 EpiBio Talk
View Dr. Heller’s EMBL Heidelberg Talk and more information