Johns Hopkins University
Bio
Dr. Jeff Coller is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of RNA Biology and Therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University, where he holds appointments in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and serves as Director of the RNA Innovation Center at the Whiting School of Engineering.
A pioneering researcher in RNA biology, Dr. Coller has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of gene expression and mRNA stability. His groundbreaking work demonstrated that the genetic code itself is a major determinant of mRNA fate in eukaryotes, a discovery that has shifted paradigms in the field and opened new avenues for therapeutic development.
With over 30 years of research experience, Dr. Coller has established himself as a leader in RNA science and therapeutics. His laboratory combines innovative approaches in genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology to understand the mechanisms controlling mRNA stability and translation. This work has led to multiple patents and the co-founding of Tevard Biosciences, where his discoveries are being translated into novel therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Coller's scientific excellence is reflected in his extensive publication record in prestigious journals including Cell, Nature, and Science. His contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and honors, and his work is supported by substantial funding from the National Institutes of Health and other major institutions.
Dr. Coller has devoted his career to educating and mentoring the next generation of RNA scientists, with many of his trainees going on to make significant contributions to the field. His expertise is widely sought after, as evidenced by his service on multiple scientific advisory boards, including those of the SynGAP1 Research Fund, bYoRNA, and RaiNA Biosciences. He is also a board member of the Society for RNA Therapeutics. In recognition of RNA medicine's growing importance, Dr. Coller helped establish both the Alliance for mRNA Medicines and the Foundation for mRNA Medicines, where he continues to serve as a board director.
Dr. Coller received his Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed his postdoctoral training at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Arizona. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins in 2020, he was the Henry Willson Payne Professor at Case Western Reserve University, where he also served as Director of the Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics.