Erica J. Washington is an Assistant Research Professor in the Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Department at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Washington also has a secondary faculty appointment in the Duke University School of Medicine Biochemistry Department. Dr. Washington has been awarded the Duke Next Generation Fellowship from Duke University, which is funded by the Duke Science and Technology Initiative, to initiate her career as an independent principal investigator.

As a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Richard G. Brennan’s laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Washington used x-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structures and functions of enzymes in a metabolic pathway that is critical for virulence in fungal pathogens. Dr. Washington completed her doctoral training in the HHMI-funded laboratory of Dr. Jeffery L. Dangl at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied the molecular mechanisms by which type III effector proteins from the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae contribute to pathogenesis. Her work has resulted in landmark publications in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Cell Host and Microbe and Cell Genomics.

Erica enjoys playing soccer in the Durham Women’s Soccer League and spending time with her family (husband, two kiddos, two beagles and cat).