Bloomberg Distinguised Professor of RNA Biology and Therapeutics
Johns Hopkins University
Jeff Coller is the Inaugural Director of the RNA Innovation Center and holds the esteemed position of Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of RNA Biology and Therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University. With over three decades dedicated to RNA and mRNA biology, his research has been pioneering, focusing notably on messenger RNA stability and translation. Dr. Coller earned his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin and conducted postdoctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Arizona.
Before joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Coller directed the RNA Center at Case Western Reserve University, where he also held the Henry Willson Payne Distinguished Professorship. His research delves into the core of life itself—the translation of the genetic code. His groundbreaking discoveries have reshaped understanding of gene expression, revealing that the genetic code profoundly influences mRNA fate. Notably, his lab’s findings played a role in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, including development of SPIKEVAX, where his graduate student contributed significantly to its design based on his thesis work.
Beyond academia, Dr. Coller is a Co-founder of Tevard Biosciences, recognized in 2018 with Pfizer’s Golden Ticket award for its promising neuroscience innovations. Moreover he is a founding member of the Alliance for mRNA Medicines and serves on their Board of Directors. Lastly he sits on multiple Scientific Advisory Boards, including the Society for RNA Therapeutics and the SYNGAP Research Fund. His contributions extend to over 6000 citations in scientific literature and multiple patents in the realm of RNA-based therapeutic applications.