Elizabeth (Liz) R. Gavis, the Damon B. Pfeiffer Professor in the Life Sciences in the Department of Molecular Biology and Associated Faculty in the Program in Quantitative and Computational Biology, has been named the next Chair of the Department of Molecular Biology by President of the University, Christopher Eisgruber. Her term begins on July 1, 2025.

Gavis majored in Biology at Yale University, working at the Carnegie Institute and the Johns Hopkins University Medical School during her college summers. These experiences led her to enter the MSTP and the Biochemistry Department at Stanford University Medical School, where she earned M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Whitehead Institute at MIT, Gavis joined the Princeton faculty in 1994.

Research in the Gavis lab bridges the disciplines of RNA biology and developmental biology. Her lab is particularly interested in post-transcriptional mechanisms, like mRNA localization, that spatially control gene expression during development. In addition to mentoring students and postdocs in the lab, Gavis has served as Director of Undergraduate Studies. She teaches one of the largest courses at Princeton, “Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology,” as well as a graduate level genetics course. Gavis helped found the joint Princeton/Rutgers University MD/PhD program and served as its first Princeton director. She has also served as President of the Drosophila Board of Directors and as member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Developmental Biology. Gavis is an Associate Editor for the journal G3 and a member of several editorial boards. She has worked to promote the advancement of women in science, including participation in mentorship programs at Princeton, Hunter College, and The College of New Jersey.

Gavis is the fifth chair of the Department of Molecular Biology. The department was established in 1984 with Arnold Levine serving as chair from 1984 to 1996. Thomas Shenk served from 1996 to 2004. Lynn Enquist served from 2004 to 2013, and Bonnie Bassler served from 2013 to 2025.