From an early stage in her scientific career, Erica was fascinated by how living systems function at the molecular level. This curiosity ultimately led her to pursue research at the intersection of biochemistry, structural biology, and infectious disease.

After earning her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Erica continued her training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she completed a Ph.D. in Biology. During graduate school, she developed a strong interest in understanding how molecular mechanisms drive biological processes and became increasingly drawn to the power of structural biology for answering fundamental questions in biology.

"Understanding biological systems requires connecting molecular structure to biological function."

For her doctoral research, Erica investigated the molecular mechanisms of type III effectors from plant pathogens. During this time she gained extensive experience in microbiology and protein biochemistry and developed a lasting interest in combining multiple experimental approaches to understand complex biological systems.

Following graduate school, Erica pursued postdoctoral training at Duke University where she expanded her expertise in structural biology. Her postdoctoral work focused on trehalose biosynthesis in fungal pathogens, helping establish the foundation for many of the scientific questions that continue to drive her research today.

It was during this period that Erica became increasingly interested in fungal biology and the remarkable ability of fungi to adapt to changing environments, survive stress, and interact with both hosts and ecosystems.

"Fungi are extraordinary organisms whose biology influences human health, agriculture, ecosystems, and increasingly, our understanding of how climate change affects disease."

In 2023, Erica joined Duke University as a faculty member. Her laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms that enable fungi to survive environmental stress, regulate metabolism, and cause disease. The lab's work spans fundamental studies of fungal biology while also addressing broader questions related to climate change, environmental fungal exposure, and emerging fungal threats to human health.

Current projects in the laboratory include studies of fungal metabolism, stress response pathways, structural analyses of fungal proteins, antifungal target discovery, and investigations into fungal volatile organic compounds associated with environmental exposure following extreme weather events.

Dr. Washington is committed to advancing both scientific discovery and the broader research community. She participates in collaborative initiatives that bring together researchers across disciplines to address complex challenges at the intersection of infectious disease, environmental change, and public health.

Her work has involved collaborations with scientists in microbiology, structural biology, engineering, environmental science, and climate research. She is particularly interested in building interdisciplinary partnerships that create new approaches for studying fungal biology and translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact.

A central component of Erica's career is the training and mentorship of future scientists. She is committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative research environment where students can develop both technical expertise and scientific independence.

Her mentoring philosophy emphasizes curiosity, rigor, creativity, and interdisciplinary thinking. Through research experiences, collaborative projects, and professional development opportunities, she strives to help trainees build the skills needed for successful scientific careers.

Outside of science, Erica enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her children's activities. She enjoys connecting science with broader societal challenges and is passionate about communicating the importance of fungi to diverse audiences.

She believes some of the most exciting scientific discoveries emerge when researchers from different backgrounds and disciplines come together to tackle complex problems.

Biography