Elena Tonc, PhD, is an assistant professor of biology at Hamilton College in upstate New York. She earned her doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis. For our latest New Member Spotlight, we spoke with Dr. Tonc about joining AAI, teaching at a small liberal arts college, and her current research.
Why did you join AAI (and why did you choose our new 2-year membership option)?
I have been a member of AAI as a graduate trainee and found it helpful for connecting with other members and staying current with advances in the field through the annual AAI meeting. Now that I am in a tenure-track position at a small liberal arts college, AAI helps me remain engaged with the broader immunology community, identify new opportunities, and bring fresh ideas back to my teaching and research. The 2-year membership option provides a convenient way to maintain those connections without the risk of forgetting to renew the membership when I get busy.
What has your experience been like as an immunologist at a small liberal arts college? Are there any unique opportunities or unexpected benefits from teaching and researching at Hamilton?
Being an immunologist at a small liberal arts college is incredibly rewarding! Much of my teaching and research involves students’ first exposure to immunology, and it is exciting to witness them discover and appreciate the beauty and complexity of the immune system. One of the unique benefits of working at Hamilton is the opportunity to closely mentor undergraduate students and involve them directly in my research projects. They are not simply learning about scientific discoveries; they are helping make them. Watching students develop confidence, contribute to new knowledge, and pursue graduate training is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
At the same time, because there are relatively few immunologists at small liberal arts colleges, professional organizations like AAI play an especially important role in helping me stay connected to colleagues, exchange ideas, foster collaborations, and remain engaged with the broader immunology community.
What are your current research interests?
With my undergraduate students, I study how inflammation contributes to chronic pain in vulvodynia. Our work focuses on understanding how environmental exposures and immune and non-immune cells drive persistent inflammation and pain, to identify mechanisms that will inform future therapeutic approaches.
What is one thing you wish everyone knew about immunology?
The immune system is an intricate and remarkably beautiful homeostatic network. While it is often thought of primarily as a defense system, it plays essential roles in maintaining tissue health, supporting repair, and restoring balance throughout the body, which is why immunology is endlessly fascinating.
