Dr. Rachel J. Whitaker, Ph.D. is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Harry E. Preble Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences. She leads the Infection Genomics for One Health (IGOH) theme at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, where she focuses on multiscale interactions that shape microbial ecosystems. Her research integrates evolutionary biology, microbial ecology, and microbial host-virus interactions, with a particular emphasis on gene flow by semi-autonomous mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and antibiotic resistance. By examining how horizontal gene transfer, CRISPR-Cas immunity, and plasmid dynamics shape microbial populations, Dr. Whitaker aims to develop predictive models for the spread of antimicrobial resistance in both environmental and clinical settings. An advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, she is dedicated to advancing our understanding of microbial evolution in the context of One Health to inform public health strategies and antibiotic stewardship.