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Eric Elsinghorst, Ph.D., MPH, MLS(ASCP)cm, MBcm

Eric Elsinghorst portrait
Department Chair, Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Laboratory Sciences

eelsinghorst@kumc.edu

Professional Background

Eric Elsinghorst, Ph.D., MPH, MLS(ASCP)cm MBcm, is chair of the KU Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and clinical associate professor in the department’s bachelor's degree program in clinical laboratory science, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. He teaches undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses in advanced molecular techniques and molecular diagnostics.

In 1981, Elsinghorst received his bachelor's degree in biology from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. He obtained a doctorate in microbiology at Cornell University in 1987 and performed his postdoctoral research as a National Research Council Fellow from 1987-1989; Elsinghorst then served as a microbiologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C. before joining the KU faculty in 1994.

Elsinghorst received the Stata Norton Distinguished Teaching Award in 2012 – one of the School of Health Professions’ highest levels of recognition for excellence in education. He also is a member of the Review Committee for Accredited Programs, National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.


Research

Overview

Elsinghorst’s research is centered on bacterial pathogenesis. By working to better understand the ways in which bacterial pathogens interact with their hosts to cause disease, he is contributing to the development of novel approaches in the prevention of disease.

Elsinghorst acts as an external referee for the following organizations: the United States Civilian Research and Development Foundation, the American Institute of Biological Sciences, the Military Infectious Diseases Research Program, The USDA National Research Initiative, the World Health Organization, the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation and the British Columbia Health Research Foundation.