Elinor K. Karlsson
About Elinor K. Karlsson
Elinor K. Karlsson serves as the Director of Vertebrate Genomics at the Broad Institute and is the Chief Scientist at Darwin's Ark. With a background in biochemistry and bioinformatics, she has held various academic positions and contributed to significant research in genomics.
Current Role at Broad Institute
Elinor K. Karlsson serves as the Director of Vertebrate Genomics at the Broad Institute, a position she has held since 2016. In this role, she oversees research initiatives focused on the genomic analysis of vertebrate species. Her work contributes to the understanding of genetic variation and its implications for health and disease.
Chief Scientist at Darwin's Ark
Since 2018, Karlsson has been the Chief Scientist at Darwin's Ark. In this capacity, she leads efforts to utilize genomic data for conservation and biodiversity projects. Her leadership aims to enhance the understanding of species' genomes and their evolutionary history.
Academic Background
Karlsson studied at Rice University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from 1994 to 1999. She also completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine and Studio Arts at the same institution. Additionally, she obtained her PhD in Bioinformatics from Boston University, studying from 2003 to 2008.
Professional Experience
Before her current roles, Karlsson worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School from 2014 to 2019 and has been an Associate Professor there since 2019. She has also held positions as a Postdoctoral Scientist at Harvard University and as a Data Analyst & Programmer at the Whitehead Institute, among other roles.
Research Contributions
Karlsson's research has focused on vertebrate genomics and bioinformatics. Her experience includes roles as a Graduate Research Scientist at the Broad Institute and as a Scientific Programmer at the Baylor College of Medicine's Human Genome Sequencing Center. These positions have contributed to significant advancements in genomic research.