Elisabet Caler, PhD

Accomplished PhD scientist and Senior Science Advisor with extensive expertise in biomedical research, molecular and celular biology, microbial pathogenesis, immunology, and bioinformatics. Demonstrated leadership in research portfolio management and large-scale project development, complemented by a strong publication record in top-tier journals such as Science and Nature. Proven ability to engage stakeholders effectively while advocating for diversity, inclusion, and teamwork in cross-cultural environments. Multilingual proficiency in English, Spanish, and French enhances communication across diverse teams.

• Designed and led high-impact research programs, fostering innovation in biomedical research, emerging technologies, and early-career investigator support.
• Developed national and global initiatives to advance diagnostics, data-driven decision-making, and health equity, including workforce development programs and community engagement strategies.
• Led the creation of data-driven platforms to promote transparency, resource-sharing, and workforce expansion in research.
• Strategically identified and addressed critical scientific gaps by developing targeted funding initiatives, advancing research on infectious diseases, lung health, aging, and comorbidities.
• Secured and managed competitive funding mechanisms, writing and presenting program proposals that shaped investment priorities in complex biomedical research fields.
• Drove multi-stakeholder collaboration, working across institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to align research priorities and funding strategies.

Leadership & Professional Development Scientific & Regulatory Training

• I LEAD Program – Advanced leadership training focused on strategic decision-making and organizational effectiveness.
• NIH-NHLBI Leadership Programs – Completed multiple leadership and management programs, including the Leadership Lab, Emerging Leader Program, and Grey Matters: Critical Thinking & Decision-Making Skills.
• Executive & Management Training – Courses in supervision, mentoring, and conflict resolution, enhancing team leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Advanced Immunology & Clinical Science – Completed specialized training in Basic Immunology, Human Microbiome, and FDA Regulatory Science.
• Research Administration & Compliance – Certified Contracting Officer Representative (FAC-COR) with additional training in Appropriations Law, Federal Acquisition, and Clinical Investigator Regulations.
• Ethics & Human Research Protections – Extensive training in IRB processes, human subject protections, and extramural research administration.

Peer-reviewed scientific publications

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/lis.caler.1/bibliography/public/

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Other Invited reviews and book chapters

1. Entamoeba histolytica: Genome Status and Web Resources. Elisabet Caler and Hernan Lorenzi. Anaerobic Parasitic Protozoa: Genomics and Molecular Biology. Publisher: Caister Academic Press. March 2010.

2. Fernández Robledo JA, Caler E, Matsuzaki M, Keeling PJ, Roos DS, Vasta GR. The search for the missing link: A relic plastid in Perkinsus? Int J Parasitol. 2011, Aug 22. PMID: 21889509.

3. Kiley JP, Caler EV. The lung microbiome. A new frontier in pulmonary medicine. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014 Jan;11 Suppl 1:S66-70. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-285MG. PMID:2443741

4. Zou S, Caler L, Colombini-Hatch S, Glynn S, Srinivas P. Research on the human virome: where are we and what is next. Microbiome. 2016 Jun 24;4(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s40168-016-0177-y. PMID: 27341799

Honors & Awards

• Fellows Program, Yale University – Fellowship Award (1994–1996)
• NIH Fogarty International Center – Postdoctoral Fellowship (2000–2002)
• NHLBI Director’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration (2013, 2017)
• NHLBI Group Awards – Recognized for excellence in biomedical research and collaboration (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
• NIH OD Honor Award – OAR Working Group for HIV Early Career Investigators (2021)
• NIH OD Honors Award – HIV & Aging Working Group (2023) – For developing an action plan to support interdisciplinary research and training for aging populations with HIV
• NIH OD Honors Award – OAR Data Hub Team (2023) – For the successful launch of the NIH OAR Data Hub, showcasing the NIH HIV Research Portfolio
• NIH OD Honors Award – Advanced Technologies for HIV Diagnostics Team (2023) – For implementing an action plan to advance HIV diagnostic technologies and care
• Office of AIDS Research Special Act Award (2023)
• NIH Office of the Director Award for Excellence (2024) – For championing a data-driven, equity-informed approach to HIV research, particularly focused on women

Peer Reviewed Publications

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/lis.caler.1/bibliography/public

Reports, reviews, executive summaries and book chapters
1. Entamoeba histolytica: Genome Status and Web Resources. Elisabet Caler and Hernan Lorenzi. Anaerobic Parasitic Protozoa: Genomics and Molecular Biology. Publisher: Caister Academic Press. March 2010.
2. Fernández Robledo JA, Caler E, Matsuzaki M, Keeling PJ, Roos DS, Vasta GR. The search for the missing link: A relic plastid in Perkinsus? Int J Parasitol. 2011, Aug 22. PMID: 21889509.

Elisabet V. Caler, Ph.D. Last updated September 2024

3. Kiley JP, Caler EV. The lung microbiome. A new frontier in pulmonary medicine. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2014 Jan;11 Suppl 1:S66-70. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201308-285MG. PMID:2443741
4. Zou S, Caler L, Colombini-Hatch S, Glynn S, Srinivas P. Research on the human virome: where are we and what is next. Microbiome. 2016 Jun 24;4(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s40168-016-0177- y. PMID: 27341799

5. NIH OAR Second HIV Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement Report: September 2020– July 2021
6. The NIH OAR HIV Partner Outreach and Engagement Report: August 2021 to December 2022

7. Community Voices: Forging the Path Forward for HIV Self-Testing and Personalized Viral Load Monitoring - Executive Summary
8. 2024 Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV  - Executive Summary