Eric Isaac Elliott, MD, PhD, is an infectious diseases specialist who provides diagnostics, treatment, and counseling for people with a wide range of infections.
Dr. Elliott says he was drawn to his specialty because of the field’s impact on individual and public health. “There is tremendous opportunity to make a meaningful difference, as the most significant public health advancements historically have come through the development of antibiotics and vaccines. Infectious diseases requires a deep understanding of not only the microbiology of pathogens, but also the patient’s environment, behaviors, culture and experiences. It’s a field that constantly evolves, shaped by emerging zoonotic transmission, climate change, global migration, and antimicrobial resistance—making it both intellectually stimulating and vitally important.”
As an instructor at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Elliott studies how inflammation produced by the immune system directs the rest of the body to overcome infection. In particular, Dr. Elliott has focused on understanding how cells sense infection through a sensor called the inflammasome and how inflammation alters a person’s metabolism during infection. Through this research, Dr. Elliott hopes to find new treatments for severe infections like sepsis.
Dr. Elliott received his medical degree and doctorate (molecular and cellular biology) through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and infectious diseases fellowship through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Physician-Scientist Training Program at Yale. He is ABIM board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
