Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Primary Faculty, Center for Vaccine Research
Secondary Faculty, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
BST3, 3501 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15261 R-znvy: unegzna7@cvgg.rqh Primary Phone: 967-193-3210 Fax: 967-193-3462 Web site: https://www.hartmanlab.com
Dr. Hartman received her bachelor's degree in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College in 1998. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from the Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003. Her graduate thesis was done in the laboratory of Mickey Murphey-Corb, Ph.D. and focused on host factors controlling Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaques. Dr. Hartman then did a post-doctoral fellowship in the Special Pathogens Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA under Stuart Nichol, Ph.D. Her work focused on viral virulence factors contributing to severe disease induced by infection with Ebola Zaire virus. During her time at CDC, Dr. Hartman was a member of the outbreak response team sent to Angola in 2005 during the largest recorded outbreak of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever. Dr. Hartman assisted with setup and operation of the molecular diagnostic laboratory, which used Taqman PCR to diagnose patient clinical samples. Dr. Hartman returned to the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 as the Research Manager of the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory with a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology (IDM) in the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH).
1998 | Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA | BA 2003 | University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA | PhD
Course Director:
IDM2004 - Viral Pathogenesis (fall term)
IDM 2010 - Pathogen Biology (fall term)
IDM 2002 - Molecular Virology (spring term)
IDM 2038 - Prevention, Treatment, and Control of Global Infectious Diseases (spring term)
MSMVM 3440 - Vaccines and Immunity (spring term)
Visit our lab website at: https://www.hartmanlab.com/
Dr. Hartman's broad research interests center on understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of RNA viruses, particularly arboviruses (viruses transmitted by insect vectors). The focus of her research is on arboviruses that have the potential to spread to new locations (emerging viruses), as well as those that have the potential for misuse through bioterrorism. In addition to understanding the disease-causing mechanisms of these viruses, Dr. Hartman works closely with the Department of Defense to assist in the testing of new treatments and vaccines to protect U.S. military personnel from exposure to virulent viruses. Current research projects in Dr. Hartman's lab focus on Rift Valley Fever virus and the alphaviruses (Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses). Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe disease in livestock and humans in Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Rift Valley Fever is found endemically in these regions, and rainfall alterations can lead to epizootics in livestock and epidemics in humans. RVFV is easily transmitted when humans handle infected animal carcasses, and this transmission is thought to be by mucosal exposure or direct inhalation of virus particles. Due to its ability to infect by the aerosol route, RVFV is also considered a potential bioterror threat. For these reasons, better vaccines and therapeutics for this globally-important emerging infectious disease are needed. Rift Valley Fever is included on the World Health Organization's 2018 list of prioritized diseases likely to cause major epidemics in the near future, including Rift Valley Fever. In January of 2016, Science magazine named Rift Valley Fever as one of the top 10 diseases for which a vaccine is urgently needed.
Current research projects in Dr. Hartman's lab focus on 1) the neuropathogenesis of RVFV; 2) mechanisms of vertical transmission of RVFV; 3) design and evaluation of novel therapeutics and vaccines to treat RVF disese, particularly encephalitis. Dr. Hartman has established the first well-characterized models of the neurological disease that is seen in some RVFV-infected people. These models are currently being used to understand how the virus causes lethal encephalitis. Dr. Hartman's models have also been used to test novel antiviral drugs, such as Favipiravir (T-705), to determine its broad-spectrum applicability to treat emerging diseases. Dr. Hartman's lab recently published on the potential for vertical transmission of RVFV during pregnancy. Dr. Hartman's lab at the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory has the necessary federal approvals to work at BSL-3, advanced equipment, and trained staff to successfully implement large research grants and contracts aimed at understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
See our lab website for a full list of opportunities:
https://www.hartmanlab.com/
HartmanLab
Current:
Stacey Barrick (Project Coordinator)
Matt Demers (Research Technician/Lab Manager)
Madeline Schwarz (3rd year PhD student)
Rachael Rush (post-doc)
Kaleigh Connors (2nd year IDM PhD student)
Ryan Hoehl (Research Technician)
Jackson McGaughey (Research Technician)
Zachary Frey (Undergraduate)
Past Staff:
Joseph Albe, MPH (Research Technician)
Devin Boyles, MS (Research Technician)
Michael Kujawa (Research Technician)
Jen Symmonds (Veterinary technician)
Aaron Walters, MS (Research Technician)
Tiffany Thompson, MPH (Research Technician)
Amy L. Caroline (Research Technician)
Jacquelyn M. Bales (Research Technician)
Diana Powell (Veterinary Technician) Laura Bethel (Research Technician) Past Students:
Zachary Koenig - MS degree awarded April 2020. Thesis: “Type III Interferon Control of Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection at Epithelial Cell Barriers.” Current: PhD student at University of Cincinnati (fall 2020 start)
Devin Boyles - MS degree awarded December 2019. Thesis: “Determining the cellular targets and resulting pathology of Rift Valley Fever virus infection of the rat CNS and reproductive system using microscopy.” Current: Biological Import Specialist, University of Pittsburgh.
10/10/20: Interview with WESA FM's Kevin Gavin
2/6/19: WPXI NBC Pittsburgh Affiliate
1/8/19: New York Times
12/15/18: ABC News
12/5/18: AAAS News
12/5/18: WESA FM (Pittsburgh's NPR affiliate)
3/24/16: Time Magazine
11/16/15: WESA FM
11/4/15: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
7/6/2015:Global Biodefense
Winter 2015 issue of Pitt Magazine 11/19/2014: Washington Observer-Reporter 10/16/2014: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 8/19/2014: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 10/11/2010: Pitt Chronicle
American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
American Society for Virology (ASV)
American Biological Safety Association (ABSA)
American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygeine (ASTMH)
American Committee on Arthropod-borne viruses (ACAV)
International Society for NeuroVirology